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4.07 AVERAGE
4.07 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
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:
Yes
This was a fascinating look at how societies would function if gender, essentially, did not exist. I also very much enjoyed it as a tale of ‘fidelity and betrayal’.
I found that I wanted more out of it, however, and I believe most of my—less critiques and more wishes—were addressed in Le Guin’s essay ‘Is Gender Necessary? Redux (1976/1987)’ which tackles such things as the gendered pronoun that does much to render Estravan as ‘man’ and less ‘manwoman’, the male viewpoint (at least superficially), the structures of government etc.
I’d like to read it again, and see how it fits.
I found that I wanted more out of it, however, and I believe most of my—less critiques and more wishes—were addressed in Le Guin’s essay ‘Is Gender Necessary? Redux (1976/1987)’ which tackles such things as the gendered pronoun that does much to render Estravan as ‘man’ and less ‘manwoman’, the male viewpoint (at least superficially), the structures of government etc.
I’d like to read it again, and see how it fits.
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Although I loved other books by Le Guin I just found that this didn't quite inspire me as much. It felt like I was wading through it trying to just get through. It was quite slow and descriptive with a lot of new concepts, words and names that aren't familiar which I felt just take your brain away from focussing on the story (as you sit there trying to remember what exactly it is they're talking about and where it fits in).
I thought the concept was really great though and that's what got me through and although slow the story was also good.
I thought the concept was really great though and that's what got me through and although slow the story was also good.
challenging
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
a really trippy book. the main theme/concept of the novel is very exciting and stimulating. it stretches your mind, exploring all of it’s implications in which the world and it’s societies are structured. the world building is minimal but effusive. le guin doesn’t spend much time giving you details on the planet or it’s history. it’s a very short book that feels like it’s all plot. yet despite this i felt like i had a full understanding of the nature of life on the planet. she didn’t have to rely on cliches or tropes or exaggerations. le guins ability to be spare but effective; her capability to use every word to paint a broader believable picture is magical.