I really found your essay moving because I have a very similar experience of not only reading The Dispossessed on a similar timeline but also leaving my hometown and my adoptive city (to find another restless malcontent similar to myself and move to a new place, which we love).
Moreover, this process of self-acceptance is truly revolutionary, and something my spouse and I have only been able to come into in our mid-thirties (about the time, for me, when I re-read The Dispossessed). Your comments about Shevek, and really seeing Shevek in this second re-read, were so moving. The best kind of endings are beginnings--they're truly hopeful and truly radical. Great post.
I only read the first 2 parts of your post because I don't want to spoil myself, but I wanted to say thank you for bumping this book back to the top of my TBR! It's been languishing there for way too long and you made me excited to pick it up again :))
This is such a sharp and interesting read of my favorite novel!
I really found your essay moving because I have a very similar experience of not only reading The Dispossessed on a similar timeline but also leaving my hometown and my adoptive city (to find another restless malcontent similar to myself and move to a new place, which we love).
Moreover, this process of self-acceptance is truly revolutionary, and something my spouse and I have only been able to come into in our mid-thirties (about the time, for me, when I re-read The Dispossessed). Your comments about Shevek, and really seeing Shevek in this second re-read, were so moving. The best kind of endings are beginnings--they're truly hopeful and truly radical. Great post.
I only read the first 2 parts of your post because I don't want to spoil myself, but I wanted to say thank you for bumping this book back to the top of my TBR! It's been languishing there for way too long and you made me excited to pick it up again :))
Love to hear it! It sat in my TBR for a looong time and now I’ve read it twice, and I’m sure it’s not the last time.