I just finished it two days ago. I agree completely.
I will caution people that because of the writing style the beginning of the book (at least to me) is a bit disorienting. It takes a minute to find her rhythm.
I just finished the dispossessed. Didn’t find it as compelling as reviews had me hoping. The sci-fi depiction of anarchism wasn’t flattering and the main character wasn’t easy to like either.
Spoiler and trigger alert: I put the book down for a while after he sexually assaulted a woman, but eventually finished it and wasn’t impressed by the ending or by the fact that his assault was glossed over and not mentioned again.
Yes, that’s a fair assessment. It’s not an enjoyable book and to some extent isn’t meant to be – the cover of the version I read said something about an “ambiguous utopia,” the story structure is pretty far from a Campbellian Hero’s Journey, and the main character is not relatable. The book is more memorable than enjoyable.
I’ve only read two books of Le Guin’s, and they were both memorable:
The second one is more relevant to this meme.
Absolutely 100% run (don’t walk!) and get The Left Hand of Darkness. It is easily one of the best sci-fi/fantasy books I have ever read.
I just finished it two days ago. I agree completely.
I will caution people that because of the writing style the beginning of the book (at least to me) is a bit disorienting. It takes a minute to find her rhythm.
I just finished the dispossessed. Didn’t find it as compelling as reviews had me hoping. The sci-fi depiction of anarchism wasn’t flattering and the main character wasn’t easy to like either.
Spoiler and trigger alert: I put the book down for a while after he sexually assaulted a woman, but eventually finished it and wasn’t impressed by the ending or by the fact that his assault was glossed over and not mentioned again.
Yes, that’s a fair assessment. It’s not an enjoyable book and to some extent isn’t meant to be – the cover of the version I read said something about an “ambiguous utopia,” the story structure is pretty far from a Campbellian Hero’s Journey, and the main character is not relatable. The book is more memorable than enjoyable.
Funny this cropped up, I just finished The Left Hand of Darkness two days ago. Very good book with some beautiful prose.
It was the first Le Guin book I’ve read. I’ll be reading more.