You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.13 AVERAGE
4.13 AVERAGE
Interesting plot and premise. Intriguing and distinct characters. The last 50 pages were a bit confusing (past the basic plot). Overall rating, 3/5 stars. Would probably not recommend to others based on my own personal confusion on what happened.
Recommended to me by John Beaver. I’d never read anything by LeGuin. He mentioned it because it’s set in Portland. Reading it as the US continues its descent into madness, confusing book and news like the dream-shifting reality of the novel.
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence
funny
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book was very philosophical and strange (sea turtle aliens, anyone?), but strange in a good way. It asks a lot of questions about reality, time, and power. I found Haber’s character particularly interesting.
dark
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
If you had the power to play God, would you? Should you? Do you have a moral obligation to try to make the world a better place? But at what cost? And what does it mean to make the world a better place?
I'm still struck by the line "He wanted to make the world better for humanity. The end justifies the means. But what if there never is an end? All we have is means."
This was such an interesting read and I can see why Le Guin is considered a classic sci fi writer.
I have a few bones to pick with certain passages being unclear and with some of the interactions between George and Heather, so I won't give it a 4+ star rating. But I do still recommend!
I'm still struck by the line "He wanted to make the world better for humanity. The end justifies the means. But what if there never is an end? All we have is means."
This was such an interesting read and I can see why Le Guin is considered a classic sci fi writer.
I have a few bones to pick with certain passages being unclear and with some of the interactions between George and Heather, so I won't give it a 4+ star rating. But I do still recommend!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gaslighting, Pandemic/Epidemic
Minor: Genocide, Medical trauma, War