Reviews - The Left Hand of Darkness

10.6k reviews for:

The Left Hand of Darkness

Ursula K. Le Guin

4.07 AVERAGE

cecculi's review against another edition

3.5

challenging emotional reflective slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

lapsedmarxist's review against another edition

4.75

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.

imightbeabird's review against another edition

4.5

challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring 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: No

Content Warnings

mmotheaterr's review against another edition

5.0

"and i wondered, not for the first time, what patriotism is, what the love of country truly consists of, how that yearning loyalty that had shaken my friend's voice arises, and how so real a love can become, too often, so foolish and vile a bigotry. where does it go wrong?"