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A review by anunande
Ursula K. Le Guin: The Last Interview and Other Conversations by Ursula K. Le Guin, David Streitfeld
David Streitfeld has written a lovely introduction (I took almost as many notes here as with the rest of the collection) and his interview with her (her very last) makes for a very narratively satisying bookend to it all
Having read only her first and last novels (A Wizard of Earthsea and Lavinia, both of which I loved), I know I'll be coming back to these interviews for better insights once I've actually read more of her work. But not being as familiar with her bibliography didn't really hinder my enjoyment understanding of these conversations which ranged from the writer's life, inspirations, and writing processes to the larger questions of the place of women in society, of gender conventions and social norms, of nature, the environment, conservation, and anthropology (both her parents were well-known anthropologists). Having seen the Worlds of Ursula Le Guin last year, I was able to build a vivid picture in my mind of an intelligent, funny, sensitive but also no-nonsense and outspoken writer, woman, and mother. Someone with a razor sharp wit, a strong will, but equal amounts of kindness and empathy and an almost vulnerable gentleness.
I wish I had found my way to her writing sooner, that I'd have been able to go to her events and meet her. Every foray into her mind and words inspires me and makes me more excited to dive deeper into her work.
Having read only her first and last novels (A Wizard of Earthsea and Lavinia, both of which I loved), I know I'll be coming back to these interviews for better insights once I've actually read more of her work. But not being as familiar with her bibliography didn't really hinder my enjoyment understanding of these conversations which ranged from the writer's life, inspirations, and writing processes to the larger questions of the place of women in society, of gender conventions and social norms, of nature, the environment, conservation, and anthropology (both her parents were well-known anthropologists). Having seen the Worlds of Ursula Le Guin last year, I was able to build a vivid picture in my mind of an intelligent, funny, sensitive but also no-nonsense and outspoken writer, woman, and mother. Someone with a razor sharp wit, a strong will, but equal amounts of kindness and empathy and an almost vulnerable gentleness.
I wish I had found my way to her writing sooner, that I'd have been able to go to her events and meet her. Every foray into her mind and words inspires me and makes me more excited to dive deeper into her work.