Reviews

The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin

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

magpie_reader's review against another edition

emotional reflective tense medium-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

4.5

snaillydia's review

adventurous reflective tense medium-paced

4.0

elenival's review

adventurous challenging medium-paced

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

3.75

tildahlia's review against another edition

2.0

I'm really trying to get into sci-fi and break out of my reading habits, and this book seemed like a good place to start (?). I was intrigued by the concept of an examination of gender in this book, even though I read a number of critiques to suggest it was a bit dated and a missed opportunity to go further. At 35% in I still had literally no idea what was happening, and while I'm sure if I hung in there, it would have come together at some point, life is too short. Le Guin's writing is good, but sadly not quite good enough to keep me going with this one.

yentagon's review against another edition

adventurous challenging 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

4.5

soupy_twist's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark 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? It's complicated

4.0

classysmarta's review against another edition

tense slow-paced

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

2.5

makennadykstra's review against another edition

4.5

when miss le guin’s introduction argues scifi does not predict or prescribe, but instead describes what is at hand to describe, then she launches a gender expansive epic (no one is biologically or socially gendered & gender does not exist as a form? binaries are fluid? dualism cannot be escaped but it can be upended and divorced from power disparities?) !!! in which every year is Year One: presentness& communality infused in very sense of being?? very badass