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ford_defect'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? It's complicated
4.75
Le Guin’s writing is fantastic. I seek out sci-fi to get transported to other worlds, and man, can this woman worldbuild. I could easily picture Winter/Gethen despite it being so foreign. The effort put into the culture, politics, history, and characters is something one doesn't see often (and keeping a coherent storyline, too???). Even within the genre. It almost felt like reading an anthropology book about real people.
However, I was a little disappointed on how the relationship with the two main characters ended. I can only blame my friend who hyped this up as some kind of LGBT-adjacent romance, which it is and isn't simultaneously. Still, this book has given me a lot to reflect on when it comes to our gendered, heteronormative society. It's something I'll certainly have to re-read in the future.
There were a couple things that rubbed me the wrong way, though. CW: incest, sexism, misogyny, transphobiaFor one, incest is somewhat acceptable in Gethenian culture, which was certainly a choice. The main character also had inherently sexist views since he came from a gendered society and seemed to get uncomfortable when Gethenians displayed femininity. (Albeit, he does grow). Lastly, I found it a little problematic when they wrote about Gethenian procreation like they were animals mating instead of regular people having sex. It comes off as a little transphobic, but I do understand why it's there.
But overall, my discomfort didn't sour this book for me. The uncomfortable parts had their place in the story. It's still an amazing work that certainly deserves a spot in SF history.
4.75/5
There were a couple things that rubbed me the wrong way, though. CW: incest, sexism, misogyny, transphobia
But overall, my discomfort didn't sour this book for me. The uncomfortable parts had their place in the story. It's still an amazing work that certainly deserves a spot in SF history.
4.75/5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Suicide attempt, Incest, Sexual content, Sexism, Misogyny, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Transphobia and Pregnancy
bookishperseus's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
lighthearted
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
It did take a while for me to be able to start this book, and at times I found it incredibly slow, complex or tedious.
I did keep reading it because there was a small interest as to what would happen, even though this book is following what could be considered a 'usual every day life'.
Towards the end, I found the final 3 or 4 chapters actually quite interesting. Not something I'd read again, but glad I finished it!
I did keep reading it because there was a small interest as to what would happen, even though this book is following what could be considered a 'usual every day life'.
Towards the end, I found the final 3 or 4 chapters actually quite interesting. Not something I'd read again, but glad I finished it!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Confinement, Death of parent, Deportation, Forced institutionalization, Body shaming, Death, Drug use, Police brutality, Drug abuse, Grief, Hate crime, Gun violence, Murder, Pregnancy, and Violence
Minor: Misogyny, Death, Death of parent, Drug abuse, Violence, Body shaming, Incest, Pedophilia, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Toxic friendship, Child death, War, Chronic illness, Deportation, Drug use, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Medical content, Miscarriage, Rape, Gun violence, Hate crime, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Police brutality, Pregnancy, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Torture, Vomit, Xenophobia, and Confinement
nexelle's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
It's a great story that really picks up in the latter half when we can finally emotionally connect to the characters. Worldbuilding is great and societies are very intricate.
However, it is dated and so many opinions are problematic.
The main character Genly is extremely sexist, as well as some other characters that came before him whose records we glimpse. I find it hard to discern if these were authors' thoughts or thoughts of a shitty man character (if later why send some1 like that to build peace between nations, especially for an idealised sci-fi futuristic society).
I also found it very insulting that societally amongst winter residents incest is allowed, why would you write that in (people who don't obey normal rules of the human race and sex also participate in incest) like??? So unnecessary.
I know that I read this through a queer lens in 2023, but I just found it very sad that Le Guin who fought for representation of minorities (having black man as a protag in '69 was bold) could still spew so many hateful and inaccurate ideas towards women and queers.
However, it is dated and so many opinions are problematic.
The main character Genly is extremely sexist, as well as some other characters that came before him whose records we glimpse. I find it hard to discern if these were authors' thoughts or thoughts of a shitty man character (if later why send some1 like that to build peace between nations, especially for an idealised sci-fi futuristic society).
I also found it very insulting that societally amongst winter residents incest is allowed, why would you write that in (people who don't obey normal rules of the human race and sex also participate in incest) like??? So unnecessary.
I know that I read this through a queer lens in 2023, but I just found it very sad that Le Guin who fought for representation of minorities (having black man as a protag in '69 was bold) could still spew so many hateful and inaccurate ideas towards women and queers.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism
Moderate: Misogyny, Incest, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Homophobia and Gun violence
sharene91's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Wow. I really loved this book. I had it in my collection for a while and just couldn’t get started. I’m really glad I pushed through.
So why not a perfect score? It started a bit slow and I didn’t know what to expect, but it was engaging enough to keep me reading. Around the halfway mark, though, I couldn’t put it down!
I learned a lot and this one really made me think about the meaning of community/cooperation, coexistence, love, friendship, ignorance, openness, fear, loss and death. Also, super interesting thoughts on androgyny, sexuality, desire, and gender. I know it sounds like a lot but it’s all superbly folded into the journey.
Ok this book made me feel like a normal human being and also made me reflect on how I view the intentions of others, how I judge them, and how I should seek to understand. Not in a new agey way, but just through the power of the themes.
I really saw myself in Ai, and I really admired Estraven though I don’t fully understand why he did what he did at the end. I’m really excited to read more of this series and explore the author. I highly recommend.
So why not a perfect score? It started a bit slow and I didn’t know what to expect, but it was engaging enough to keep me reading. Around the halfway mark, though, I couldn’t put it down!
I learned a lot and this one really made me think about the meaning of community/cooperation, coexistence, love, friendship, ignorance, openness, fear, loss and death. Also, super interesting thoughts on androgyny, sexuality, desire, and gender. I know it sounds like a lot but it’s all superbly folded into the journey.
Ok this book made me feel like a normal human being and also made me reflect on how I view the intentions of others, how I judge them, and how I should seek to understand. Not in a new agey way, but just through the power of the themes.
I really saw myself in Ai, and I really admired Estraven though I don’t fully understand why he did what he did at the end. I’m really excited to read more of this series and explore the author. I highly recommend.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide attempt and Suicide
Minor: Torture and Slavery
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