A review by nexelle
The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin

challenging emotional slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

It's a great story that really picks up in the latter half when we can finally emotionally connect to the characters. Worldbuilding is great and societies are very intricate. 

However, it is dated and so many opinions are problematic.
The main character Genly is extremely sexist, as well as some other characters that came before him whose records we glimpse. I find it hard to discern if these were authors' thoughts or thoughts of a shitty man character (if later why send some1 like that to build peace between nations, especially for an idealised sci-fi futuristic society). 
I also found it very insulting that societally amongst winter residents incest is allowed, why would you write that in (people who don't obey normal rules of the human race and sex also participate in incest) like??? So unnecessary. 

I know that I read this through a queer lens in 2023, but I just found it very sad that Le Guin who fought for representation of minorities (having black man as a protag in '69 was bold) could still spew so many hateful and inaccurate ideas towards women and queers. 
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