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simply_fran's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Sexual assault, Violence, Xenophobia, and War
Moderate: Death and Police brutality
Minor: Mental illness, Miscarriage, and Forced institutionalization
erikwmj's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Death, Sexual assault, and Violence
Moderate: Child death, Xenophobia, and War
centauribound's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Minor: Xenophobia, Blood, Sexual harassment, and War
crowcore's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual assault, Blood, Police brutality, Alcohol, and Classism
Moderate: Death, Gun violence, Sexual content, and Xenophobia
Minor: Racism, Suicidal thoughts, Religious bigotry, and War
pastelkerstin's review
4.5
One of the most interesting things about The Left Hand of Darkness for me was the mention of another planet in the federation without war or law enforcement. Now, this book apparently takes place before the federation was formed, but it's exactly about that. It's about an anarchist society, the capitalist society it clashes with, and a scientist caught between the two who wants to follow his passion. And it doesn't beat around the bush at all with its politics. No fantasy names for real-life political concepts. Instead you get moving criticisms of capitalism, authoritarianism, police brutality and patriarchy. Although Anarres isn't portrayed as flawless or as totally immune to what they were trying to escape (e.g. social capital creates a kind of hierarchy after all), you know that despite its flaws and hardships, it portrays a world more just than Urras on such a deep level.
I borrowed this from the university library, but I liked it so much, I might actually buy my own copy. My only real gripe with it is how [vague spoilers ahead] Shevek's accidental drunk night ends. He narrowly avoided becoming a character I couldn't root for anymore. Very narrowly. I think him getting drunk accidentally and not knowing what's happening/how to deal with it at all because Anarrestri don't drink makes perfect sense. I just don't like where that went...
Otherwise really fucking good!!
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual assault, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Vomit, Police brutality, Murder, Pregnancy, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, and War
Minor: Addiction, Alcoholism, Confinement, Rape, Forced institutionalization, and Medical content
zombiezami's review against another edition
Graphic: Gun violence, Misogyny, Sexism, Violence, Blood, Police brutality, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Death, Sexual assault, Xenophobia, Excrement, Grief, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and Classism
Minor: Child death, Vomit, Medical content, Colonisation, and War
Attempted rapecwe's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Misogyny and Sexism
Moderate: Sexual assault and Xenophobia
etosaurus's review
4.5
Graphic: Gun violence, Violence, and Police brutality
Moderate: Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Xenophobia, and Grief
Minor: Bullying and Forced institutionalization