Ursula K. Le Guin is a fantastic writer of speculative fiction and the author of the earthsea fantasy series.
Indisputably a great author…
I just never got into their work. Way too much “science” and not enough “fiction” if you know what I mean.
At least, that’s how it was when I tried to read them as a little kid. Pacing might not seem as bad now that I’m old.
You should give The Left Hand of Darkness a[nother] try. One of my favorite aspects of the book is that, as the story progresses, the layers of seperation between the narrator and the native people are stripped away; how he gradually drops his air of detatched “science” and begins to see them as fully persons.
There is a fair bit about the Gethens sex/gender, and it’s quite political/sociological (all of which drew me in) but there’s a beautiful humanistic story that blossoms as the narrative transitions thru its many different stages.
You should give The Left Hand of Darkness a[nother] try.
Lol, literally the one I was thinking of, still have the old paperback copy from before I was teenager somewhere.
I’ve been trying to get thru Roger Penrose lately, and if I ever make it thru The Road to Reality, Im sure Le Guin is going to feel like a Marvel movie in comparison.
All I really remember about that book is that I loved it; guess it’s time for a reread.
Everything by Le Guin is pure gold! I will add this one to my reading list, but I lived “The Dispossessed “ as political science-fiction, while “the left hand of the darkness” explores gender and prejudices, and “earthsea” is a series of coming of age novels. Every is so good
Yessss. Definitely check this out. Also do post any short story you like here!
Finally got to read this short story yesterday. As good as always, thanks for the recommendation!
