In the far reaches of the universe, Urras and Annares revolve around the star Tau Ceti, light years away from Earth. Once colonized by the mysterious Hainish, these planets evolved independently after being abandoned. Urras, with its powerful nation A Io, and Annares, its anarchist-colonized moon, live in stark contrast, setting the scene for a tale of revolution, scientific discovery, and interplanetary diplomacy.

Genesis of the Colonies

Urras, an Earth-like planet, and its moon Annares, stand as remnants of ancient Hainish colonies, which developed in diverse directions after losing contact with their founders. A Io, the most prominent of Urras’s nations, finds itself embroiled in class struggles and revolutionary turmoil led by an anarchist named Laia Odo. Although Odo’s rebellion does not succeed in transforming Urras’s social order, the anarchists are permitted to establish a new society on Annares. Thus, Annares becomes a sanctuary for their ideals, replete with its challenges and isolation from Urras.

Scientific Endeavors and Ambitions

Decades pass, and an Annarean physicist named Shevek emerges as a pivotal figure in rekindling connections. Seventy years after the Hainish reestablish communication with Urras, Shevek is invited by A Io to further his groundbreaking work on the simultaneity principle, potentially unlocking the secrets of faster-than-light travel. Accepting the invitation, he embarks on the first journey between the moon and planet since Annares’s settlement, aiming to bridge the divide between the two worlds. His departure sparks controversy among his peers, some labeling him a traitor for leaving Annares.

Life on Annares

Shevek’s upbringing in the "ambiguous utopia" of Annares shapes his worldview. In this society, personal possessions are negligible, and coercion is absent. Raised without family bonds and steeped in communal living, Shevek's natural brilliance in mathematics sets him apart from his peers. His childhood companions, including the socially insightful Bedap, question the misconceptions about Urras while wondering about other artistic talents flourishing in such a regimented society. The strict communal ethic, though effective for many, can suppress individual creativity and expression.

Academic Struggles and Resistance

Despite the frugal lifestyle and taxing duties, Shevek’s genius shines by his twenties. He moves to the National Institute of Sciences in Abbenay, where he works under Sabul, the foremost physicist on Annares. There, he encounters privileges that unsettle him, such as having his own room and extra food portions. His collaboration with the Urrasti physicist Atro, facilitated by learning the Iotic language, enhances his research. However, jealousy from Sabul leads to obstacles in publishing his significant work, culminating in an incomplete release of his Principles of Simultaneity.

Quest for Connection and Publishing Ventures

Facing barriers in his academic pursuits, Shevek and his friends, including Bedap, rally to create an unsanctioned network for publishing and communication to connect with Urras. These actions, although not explicitly forbidden, encounter resistance from the Annarean establishment. Their efforts symbolize a yearning for greater intellectual freedom and exchange beyond Annares’s confines.

Matters of the Heart and Hardships

In personal matters, Annaresti norms are liberal about sexuality, yet Shevek finds casual encounters lacking depth. His life changes upon meeting Takver, a geneticist who shares his desire for a committed partnership, a choice neither encouraged nor discouraged by their society. As Takver becomes pregnant, a severe drought prompts the Division of Labor to send Shevek for manual labor far from home. Upon his return, he discovers that both Takver and his position at the institute have been reassigned. For four arduous years, he endures separation and hardship, which ultimately fuels his resolve to bypass Sabul’s constraints through clandestine publishing efforts, leading to his invitation to A Io.

Arrival on Urras and...