5 Sci-Fi Novels That Deserve Film Adaptations (& 5 That Deserve Better)
4. The Dispossessed - Ursula Le Guin
This is one of the greatest science fiction novels of all time by one of the greatest minds the genre has ever seen. In fact, scratch that, this is one of the greatest novels of all time by one of the greatest minds literature has ever seen. Full stop. Over the years it's seen one or two radio adaptations but not once has anyone tried to bring it to the big screen. Which really is a shame because it could be incredible - in the right hands that is.
Like many of Le Guin's other novels, The Dispossessed deals with some pretty heavy, dense political themes - most of which reflect LeGuin's own political views, as well has her own scorn for how this world is ran. The novel analyses themes of socialism, anarchy and the conservative capitalistic hierarchy that dominates our culture.
The bulk of the narrative is divided between two planets: Anaress and Urras. Urras is divided into numerous states, but most embrace a capitalistic patriarchal system though there are left wing dissident parties present. Meanwhile Anaress embraces an anarchistic ideology, but they're viewed by Urras as little more than a mining operation that they let believe possess freedom. Hmmmm, that sounds familiar for some reason.
The overall plot is far too dense and complex to sum up here, so we implore you to go and read this phenomenal bit of fiction. If you don't bother: then take my word for it that this novel's themes have never been more pertinent and would make for a powerful bit of cinema or television.