We is a groundbreaking dystopian novel set in a totalitarian future where individuality is suppressed, and the state dominates every aspect of life. The story is narrated by D-503, a mathematician and builder of the spaceship Integral, who lives in a society governed by logic, conformity, and surveillance. As D-503 becomes entangled with a mysterious woman named I-330, his loyalty to the state is challenged, leading him to question the rigid order of his world.

Written in 1920 and banned for years in the Soviet Union, We is one of the earliest works of dystopian literature, influencing classics such as George Orwell's 1984 and Aldous Huxley's Brave New World. Its exploration of the tension between freedom and control, individuality and collectivism, remains strikingly relevant.

Why Read This Book

• A foundational work of dystopian literature that inspired generations of writers and thinkers.
• Offers a chilling vision of a future dominated by surveillance, conformity, and state control.
• Explores universal themes of freedom, individuality, and resistance.
• Written with a unique and experimental style, reflecting the disjointed thoughts of its protagonist.
• Provides a critique of authoritarian regimes, making it a timeless and politically resonant work.
• Essential reading for fans of 1984 and Brave New World.

About the Author

Yevgeny Zamyatin (1884–1937) was a Russian novelist, playwright, and critic. Born in Lebedyan, Russia, Zamyatin studied naval engineering but was drawn to literature and politics. He became known for his satirical works that critiqued authoritarianism and conformity, themes that defined much of his writing.

Zamyatin’s outspoken nature and avant-garde style led to frequent clashes with Soviet authorities. We, his most famous work, was written in 1920 and banned in the USSR for its subversive themes. Despite this, the novel was smuggled out and first published in English in 1924.

Zamyatin’s legacy as a pioneer of dystopian fiction endures, with his works celebrated for their sharp critique of oppressive systems and their defense of artistic freedom. Forced into exile in 1931, Zamyatin spent his final years in Paris, where he continued to write until his death.