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3.61 AVERAGE
3.61 AVERAGE
I enjoyed the book and it shows early signs of the things I really enjoy in Le Guin's later works. The narrative is a little patchy and disjointed, which it seems Le Guin uses in her more critically acclaimed writing as a neat device, but in this---well, it sort of comes off as incomplete. Still, the meld of fantasy and sci-fi elements was interesting and illuminating and made the world seem real and lived-in. It's definitely worth a read, but not her best work.
Imagine this is the first book you ever wrote... It was such a fun mix of a fairytale, fantasy and science fiction, tacky and camp at times (which I mean in the most positive way possible) but never insincere or uncomfortably self-aware.
adventurous
medium-paced
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Took me a little bit to get into it, but once I did, I loved the stranger in a strange land story. I enjoyed the extra layer Le Guin added to this by framing Rocannon’s adventures as a "legend" for the people on the planet and also for his "modern" colleagues. Looking forward to the rest of the Hainish cycle!
3.5*. Well written, interesting world and a sound start to this classic series.
adventurous
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Why haven't I read more Ursula K. Le Guin? I know that I read [b:The Tombs of Atuan|13662|The Tombs of Atuan (Earthsea Cycle, #2)|Ursula K. Le Guin|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1659761935l/13662._SY75_.jpg|1322146] for a a juvenile lit class, but otherwise, I can't remember reading any of her books. I decided to start with Rocannon's World, her very first novel and the beginning of the "Hainish Cycle," all set in the same future where the League of All Nations unites various humanoid civilizations from across the universe. ([b:The Left Hand of Darkness|18423|The Left Hand of Darkness|Ursula K. Le Guin|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1488213612l/18423._SY75_.jpg|817527] is the most well-known book from the cycle, but I like to read series in order, even when they're not chronological.
Rocannon's World is a fascinating mixture of sci-fi and fantasy (Le Guin apparently said she was influenced by Norse mythology while writing this first novel). Gaverel Rocannon, an ethnologist, is the only scientist left alive after an attack on the planet he's been studying. As he tries to track down the group that killed his friends and co-workers, he takes an epic trip across the planet accompanied by and encountering various intelligent life forms along the way. There's a very Tolkienesque feel to this futuristic tale. Le Guin sucked me into the world in barely over 100 pages. I'm excited to read the rest of the novels in the cycle.
Rocannon's World is a fascinating mixture of sci-fi and fantasy (Le Guin apparently said she was influenced by Norse mythology while writing this first novel). Gaverel Rocannon, an ethnologist, is the only scientist left alive after an attack on the planet he's been studying. As he tries to track down the group that killed his friends and co-workers, he takes an epic trip across the planet accompanied by and encountering various intelligent life forms along the way. There's a very Tolkienesque feel to this futuristic tale. Le Guin sucked me into the world in barely over 100 pages. I'm excited to read the rest of the novels in the cycle.
adventurous
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Rocannon's World is an old-school adventure story, set in a sci-fi future, with Leguin's trademark ethnographic perspective. It's a perfect blend of science and mysticism, plus cool alien cultures and poetic beauty. I'm starting to get mad that I didn't dive into Ursula Leguin's full catalogue years ago.
adventurous
sad
slow-paced
adventurous
dark
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No