Ursula K. Le Guin/The Dispossessed

The Dispossesed is a science fiction novel by Ursula K. Le Guin which explores anarchism. It is set on a double planet system similar to the Earth and its moon, except that the moon is massive enough to hold an atmosphere. As the aftermath of an anarchist revolution, the anarchists were exiled to the moon.

The protagonist Shevek is a physicist attempting to develop a theory which will allow the construction of an ansible, a faster-than-light communications device, but his efforts are blocked by parochial and xenophobic attitudes in his anarchist home society.

He therefore embarks on the risky journey to the original planet seeking the conversation with other mathematicians and physicists which will bring his theory to fruition.

The plot explores his struggles on the anarchist planet, as well as his struggles after he travels to the original planet.

The Dispossessed is considered by many anarchists to be a good description of the mechanisms that would be developed by an anarchist society. It is set in the same universe as that of The Left Hand of Darkness (The Ekumen universe.)

The book won the Hugo and Nebula awards.