Zamyatin's We is celebrated for its pioneering dystopian vision, prefiguring Orwell and Huxley. Reviewers praise its imaginative narrative and critique of totalitarianism. However, some find its prose dense and characters underdeveloped. Mixed perspectives highlight its historical significance but note potential challenges for modern readers.

Readers who enjoy dystopian literature like George Orwell's 1984 or Aldous Huxley's Brave New World would be captivated by Yevgeny Zamyatin's We. This novel appeals to those fascinated by themes of totalitarianism, individualism vs. collectivism, and the human spirit's resilience against oppressive regimes.

In the future authoritarian society of the One State, D-503, chief builder of the rocket Integral, which aims to bring other planets into the mathematically perfect happiness of the One State, is swayed from his loyalty by I-330, a woman who challenges him to break societal rules, leading him into a world of emotional turmoil and rebellion. The book contains depictions of execution and torture.

Unnerving / Mysterious / Contemplative / Challenging

- We is often cited as a precursor and inspiration for George Orwell's 1984, which is one of the most famous dystopian novels ever written. 
- The novel was first published in English in 1924, several years before it was published in its original Russian language due to censorship in the Soviet Union. 
- Yevgeny Zamyatin was an engineer by training, and his experiences in the industrial shipyards of England heavily influenced the technological and industrial themes found in We.

Yevgeny Zamyatin

Adult

Novel

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Guide

Study Guide

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Overview

Get ready to explore We and its meaning. Our full analysis and study guide provides an even deeper dive with character analysis and quotes explained to help you discover the complexity and beauty of this book.

We Summary

Background

We Background

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Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapters 1-10

We Chapters 1-10 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 11-20

We Chapters 11-20 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 21-30

We Chapters 21-30 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 31-40

We Chapters 31-40 Summary & Analysis

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Character Analysis

We Character Analysis

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Themes

We Themes

Symbols & Motifs

We Symbols & Motifs

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Important Quotes

We Important Quotes

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Essay Topics

We Essay Topics

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Before You Read

Reviews & Readership

Review Roundup

Who Should Read We?

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