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A review by wcrobi
Rocannon's World by Ursula K. Le Guin
3.0
Fantastical and showy, not tell-y. It's a hero's journey novel set on a faraway planet - I got Magician's Nephew crossed with Foundation crossed with Out of the Silent Planet vibes.
At its core, though, it is a hero's journey. It's set up very cleanly: background for the story, followed by crisis event, followed by a long hourney with a group of devoted fellow travelers who experience various boons and dangers throughout. It's not a bad formula, it's just one that really hinges on how the ending plays out. In Wizard of Earthsea, for example, the ending re-contextualizes the entire novel leading up until that point, and sets the stage for fertile symbolism that is applicable not only in-universe but also (more importantly) for real-life application.
Rocannon's World has an ending that is entirely satisfying in-universe, but doesn't really carry over into my life. I was entertained, but not awestruck like other sci-fi novels I've read. Kind of like Dracula, I can see why this book might have been foundational for setting up Le Guin's celebrated success in later stories... but it hasn't aged as well as some other classic sci fi from the same period.
I would recommend this book to anyone who really loves sci-fi and fantasy blending, or who might be curious about starting to read Le Guin more.
At its core, though, it is a hero's journey. It's set up very cleanly: background for the story, followed by crisis event, followed by a long hourney with a group of devoted fellow travelers who experience various boons and dangers throughout. It's not a bad formula, it's just one that really hinges on how the ending plays out. In Wizard of Earthsea, for example, the ending re-contextualizes the entire novel leading up until that point, and sets the stage for fertile symbolism that is applicable not only in-universe but also (more importantly) for real-life application.
Rocannon's World has an ending that is entirely satisfying in-universe, but doesn't really carry over into my life. I was entertained, but not awestruck like other sci-fi novels I've read. Kind of like Dracula, I can see why this book might have been foundational for setting up Le Guin's celebrated success in later stories... but it hasn't aged as well as some other classic sci fi from the same period.
I would recommend this book to anyone who really loves sci-fi and fantasy blending, or who might be curious about starting to read Le Guin more.