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3.9 AVERAGE
3.9 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
I really enjoyed the setup of describing different fictional societies as if they were real. I was less interested in the connective interplanary agency. The insular worldbuilding of different chapters was engaging with some being better than others, but how people interact with different planes felt inconsistent. The inclusion of the interplanary agency led me to question "how do people who travel have money if they're traveling mentally," "how is the great joy company able to transport physical items for their themes islands," etc. I think being vaguer about travel methods and/or reducing travel to a smaller demographic would have been more beneficial.
informative
reflective
medium-paced
adventurous
funny
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
challenging
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Only Le Guin could have published a loosely connected series of fictional travelogues that are mostly sort of long-form koans, and only she could have made it worth reading all the way through.
Definitely not up to the level of Le Guin that I'm used to, but a fun and creative read nonetheless.
adventurous
funny
hopeful
informative
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This fascinating short story collection differs greatly from Ursula Le Guins other works. Each story explores an alternative world and attempts to explain how their society works and how they interact with the travelers from other worlds. The stories are very diverse. Some of them are satirical and funny, others are sad, and many of them ask thought-provoking philosophical questions. They all have in common that they are beautifully written.