Reviews

The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin

ssmariof's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

bdeleon's review against another edition

adventurous challenging tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

resquite's review against another edition

adventurous dark informative mysterious reflective tense 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

4.0

morgainlafeye's review against another edition

5.0

a beautifully enchanting novel. Thoroughly engulphing

jugglingdodo's review against another edition

adventurous hopeful mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

morcant's review against another edition

adventurous challenging sad 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? It's complicated

4.5

aliendaydreamer's review against another edition

challenging mysterious reflective

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

This was beautiful. As a queer person I thought the use of gender as a foreign concept felt kind of like how I feel sometimes. I need to read more of the Hainish cycle now.

lumikki's review against another edition

challenging hopeful reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

katyab's review against another edition

4.0

Brilliant social sci-fi. Apart from Brave New World and Out of the Silent Planet (which I think I'd rather call theological sci-fi), I've not read something like this since the end of Uni, so it was really good to get back into it (and it's Le Guin! Someone who I really should be reading more of. God she's good. I'm sorry I ever doubted you, Wizard of Earthsea, I promise I'll pick you up again!)
Obviously, the social aspect of this is really interesting, but it's worth saying anyway. I love the dynamics and changes in societal structure due to the fact that everyone can change gender. Love it when sci-fi presents a strange world but then makes our own reality look stranger! Worldbuilding: great. Atmosphere: great. I was a bit meh on the characters but sometimes presenting the world is more important and integral, and I was fine with that. I started to feel for Genly Ai more after the midpoint, especially when he and Estraven are figuring out their relationship. And there was an excellent bit about countries and patriotism which I could talk about for ages (not here, though. Some poor soul will get pulled into that conversation at some point...) Glad I've read (listened to) this one.

bee_lla's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious tense slow-paced

4.5