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gentlydownthestream 's review for:
The Left Hand of Darkness
by Ursula K. Le Guin
adventurous
challenging
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
The first two-thirds are so heavy on the politics that it doesn't feel particularly sci-fi. I only really got invested around the 200 page mark only to be incredibly disappointed by the ending. Frustrating to slog through all that only for a bury your gays moment; the blurb is a lie he does NOT find love.
The lack of true gender-neutrality and default to masculine pronouns was just lame to read; obviously this was ahead of its time, but in 2025 it just doesn't hold up.
A lot of the writing is lovely but it really needs a glossary.
The lack of true gender-neutrality and default to masculine pronouns was just lame to read; obviously this was ahead of its time, but in 2025 it just doesn't hold up.
A lot of the writing is lovely but it really needs a glossary.