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amichael098's review
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
klaws500's review
3.0
I just couldn't seem to connect with this one. Only really liked a couple of the stories.
battykat08's review against another edition
4.0
I’ve loved nearly all of Ursula K. Le Guin's fiction with the exception of some of her earliest sci-fi short stories. However, several readers who are also great fans of Ursula’s sci-fi have intensely disliked this collection. I don’t feel the same way at all, but I think I understand why others might, due to the complete lack of fantasy elements and somewhat spare writing style.
I absolutely loved the writing in these stories; the prose is just gorgeous, often with so much packed into each phrase I paused to savor the words. I think this is some of the best she’s written. I’ve read a lot of her poetry, so perhaps that is why I didn’t feel that this collection "wasn't like her;” this voice was clear and familiar to me. I also appreciated the non-chronological presentation; somehow it made me feel the passage of time, the distance, more.
While it’s true that many of the stories are sparse and grey, they're often deeply emotional and philosophical as well, and the writing is exquisitely crafted. None of the stories are purely depressing without any small glimmer of happiness or light. That said, the last story, Imaginary Countries, is more colorful and lighthearted than the rest. Definitely save this one for last if you’re like me and never read a collection of stories in the order printed. It’s comforting to end on a high note, especially at this point in time with the whole world upended as it is.
ps: If you're a Le Guin fan and other reviews have made you leery of trying this book, I suggest maybe approaching the collection as if it were by an author you’ve never read before, so your expectations don’t get in the way of appreciation. It’s too good to dismiss out of hand.
I absolutely loved the writing in these stories; the prose is just gorgeous, often with so much packed into each phrase I paused to savor the words. I think this is some of the best she’s written. I’ve read a lot of her poetry, so perhaps that is why I didn’t feel that this collection "wasn't like her;” this voice was clear and familiar to me. I also appreciated the non-chronological presentation; somehow it made me feel the passage of time, the distance, more.
While it’s true that many of the stories are sparse and grey, they're often deeply emotional and philosophical as well, and the writing is exquisitely crafted. None of the stories are purely depressing without any small glimmer of happiness or light. That said, the last story, Imaginary Countries, is more colorful and lighthearted than the rest. Definitely save this one for last if you’re like me and never read a collection of stories in the order printed. It’s comforting to end on a high note, especially at this point in time with the whole world upended as it is.
ps: If you're a Le Guin fan and other reviews have made you leery of trying this book, I suggest maybe approaching the collection as if it were by an author you’ve never read before, so your expectations don’t get in the way of appreciation. It’s too good to dismiss out of hand.
aopascal's review
adventurous
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
lousers's review
emotional
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
jessthanthree's review against another edition
reflective
slow-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
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, War, Sexism, and Ableism
gusabus's review against another edition
5.0
Last book of the year! A lovely anthology by Le Guin: it was interesting to see how she applies her typical fantasy/sci-fi techniques to realistic fiction. There was a always a sense of magic to the stories, even if it wasn't explicit.
lanid's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Content Warnings
Minor: Police brutality, Murder, War, Confinement, Gun violence, Alcohol, and Death
echoesofbattle's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
aaronreadabook's review against another edition
4.0
11 short stories, some of which are only ten or so pages. The fictional central European country Orsinia is not as interesting a setting as Earthsea or Hain, but the writing is beautiful. Le Guin can do in 10 pages what most can't achieve in a whole novel.