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A review by mayareads
Worlds of Exile and Illusion: Three Hainish Novels by Ursula K. Le Guin
adventurous
challenging
reflective
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Three stories, spanning three planets that examine how we build empathy for those who seem alien.
In Rocannon's World we follow an ethnographer, stranded on a distant world populated by telepaths.
Planet of Exile focuses on a colony of Earthmen -"farborns"- stranded on a hostile world facing the threats of war and a decades-long Winter.
City of Illusion is set on an Earth in the distant future, one colonized by the Enemy, the Shing, the Liars.
Though each is unique (City of Illusions being my personal favorite) all three deal with themes of overcoming a sense of alienation, of unbelonging, and how the relationships we cultivate inform our identity.
CW for City of Illusions: brief mentions of rape
In Rocannon's World we follow an ethnographer, stranded on a distant world populated by telepaths.
Planet of Exile focuses on a colony of Earthmen -"farborns"- stranded on a hostile world facing the threats of war and a decades-long Winter.
City of Illusion is set on an Earth in the distant future, one colonized by the Enemy, the Shing, the Liars.
Though each is unique (City of Illusions being my personal favorite) all three deal with themes of overcoming a sense of alienation, of unbelonging, and how the relationships we cultivate inform our identity.
CW for City of Illusions: brief mentions of rape
Content Warnings
Minor: Rape