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3.9 AVERAGE
3.9 AVERAGE
I enjoyed this book immensely. Of course I like most of Le Guin's books, but this one was different than most of the others. It's just fun and easy to read, not so profound as the others.
In many ways it's The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy in that each chapter tells about another world different from ours. Some stories are thought-provoking, some silly. It evokes Kurt Vonnegut as well as Douglas Adams.
Again, enjoyable.
In many ways it's The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy in that each chapter tells about another world different from ours. Some stories are thought-provoking, some silly. It evokes Kurt Vonnegut as well as Douglas Adams.
Again, enjoyable.
adventurous
funny
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Some of the stories were very interesting, others I didn't care for much. I liked the one about the people who had plant or animal genes and another favorite was the one where people had feathers and a few were able to fly.
A book of short stories by Ursula K. Le Guin that reads like a mixture of anthropological surveys mixed with Jorge Luis Borges. Some of the stories in this collection are very strong. I have to give kudos to "Seasons of the Ansarac" and "Social Dreaming of the Frin" especially.
Others, however, are pretty weak in Le Guin's esteemed oeuvre. "The Royals of Hegn" is a pretty thin satire of the obsession with the British Royal Family and the outpouring of grief after Diana's death, while "The Nna Mmoy Language" and "The Building" come off as pretty pointless.
I recommend this collection on the strength of its best stories, which are worth the price of entry and demand re-reads. It would have done better had the fat been trimmed off before plating up.
Others, however, are pretty weak in Le Guin's esteemed oeuvre. "The Royals of Hegn" is a pretty thin satire of the obsession with the British Royal Family and the outpouring of grief after Diana's death, while "The Nna Mmoy Language" and "The Building" come off as pretty pointless.
I recommend this collection on the strength of its best stories, which are worth the price of entry and demand re-reads. It would have done better had the fat been trimmed off before plating up.
This reminded me a lot of Invisible Cities. I enjoyed it, but not my favorite book by LeGuin I've ever read.
I'd recommend it if you are interested in fantasy world-building, where it is wonderful.
I'd recommend it if you are interested in fantasy world-building, where it is wonderful.
adventurous
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
A very enjoyable read, like a romp through the universe looking at very different cultures that arise. It’s perfect chill-time reading because there is no plot and there are no stakes, there’s just observation.
Only read 100 pages and had to stop: it’s really well written and easy to read but I’m just not into sci fi - I just keep thinking; what’s the point? I prefer reading something that feels a little more meaningful or relatable. I just could not get excited enough to finish. Sorry Ursula - I so wanted to love you.
Ordinarily selfish people justify their invasion of Zuehe by the familiar expedient of considering themselves not like all those other people who go to Zuehe and spoil it.
Le Guin's "Changing Planes" is equal parts poignant and strange, lightened with humor throughout. The general idea is that the nameless narrator, presumably Le Guin, has learned the secret of shifting to other worlds when stuck at the airport between flights. It's as simple as understanding that you are already changing planes. Get it? I chuckled.
The book takes you to a series of worlds, each with their own commentary on the human condition, through a short experience or vignette highlighting life on these worlds. Some of them are humorous, like a corporation-owned series of holiday planes. Some are haunting, like a world where a group of children has been genetically modified to not need sleep and instead exist in an animal-like, dull existence for the rest of their lives. Each is meant to leave you with something to chew on and most succeed in that task.
I'm far more familiar with Le Guin's EarthSea books and the Hainish novels, like [b:The Left Hand of Darkness|18423|The Left Hand of Darkness (Hainish Cycle, #4)|Ursula K. Le Guin|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1488213612l/18423._SY75_.jpg|817527], so this one caught me off guard. It had all the usual heart but was distinctly different for what it was trying to do. Self-effacing is the wrong word, but it's what comes to mind. And playful too.
I enjoyed it. It left me with things to think about. And few authors do that better than Le Guin. 4/5.
Le Guin's "Changing Planes" is equal parts poignant and strange, lightened with humor throughout. The general idea is that the nameless narrator, presumably Le Guin, has learned the secret of shifting to other worlds when stuck at the airport between flights. It's as simple as understanding that you are already changing planes. Get it? I chuckled.
The book takes you to a series of worlds, each with their own commentary on the human condition, through a short experience or vignette highlighting life on these worlds. Some of them are humorous, like a corporation-owned series of holiday planes. Some are haunting, like a world where a group of children has been genetically modified to not need sleep and instead exist in an animal-like, dull existence for the rest of their lives. Each is meant to leave you with something to chew on and most succeed in that task.
I'm far more familiar with Le Guin's EarthSea books and the Hainish novels, like [b:The Left Hand of Darkness|18423|The Left Hand of Darkness (Hainish Cycle, #4)|Ursula K. Le Guin|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1488213612l/18423._SY75_.jpg|817527], so this one caught me off guard. It had all the usual heart but was distinctly different for what it was trying to do. Self-effacing is the wrong word, but it's what comes to mind. And playful too.
I enjoyed it. It left me with things to think about. And few authors do that better than Le Guin. 4/5.
adventurous
informative
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I like how this is just a book of world building of a bunch of random alien civilizations. Very fun.
adventurous
challenging
funny
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced