A precursor to the works of George Orwell and Aldous Huxley, Yevgeny Zamyatin’s novel "We" is a profound critique of totalitarianism. Banned in the Soviet Union during his lifetime, the book ultimately led to the author’s death in exile. Zamyatin, an advocate for an incomplete and evolving society, uses "We" to portray the dark consequences of a "perfected" and rigid social order.
Set in the 26th century, the novel depicts a world where humanity is severed from nature and the "self." Individuals have surrendered to technology and a bureaucratic state, merging into a collective "We." Individuality is erased—people no longer have names, only numbers. Living behind transparent glass walls, every minute of their lives is strictly dictated and monitored by the state.
Our brand stands as a pioneer for the ideas that defy this mindset of absolute control.
Written in 1920, "We" was finally "rehabilitated" 67 years later in 1987, as a result of Gorbachev’s Glasnost (Openness) policy, and was officially slated for publication.
"The only way to rid man of crime is to rid him of freedom." — Yevgeny Zamyatin, "We"