larkais's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
medium-paced
3.75
This was an interesting blend of sci-fi worlds. This was my first foray into reading Ursula le Guin as people recommended the anthology as a good sampler set, I rather agree, there is so much variety in the short stories that there is likely something for every sci-fi reader.
I didn't like many of the earlier short stories and ended up reading them out of order. I thought the stand out ones were Unchosen Love and Mountain Ways for their characters trying to jump through hoops where they finally can be satisfied with their life together. Unchosen Love was rather atmospheric and isolating in that the main character didn't really want the strings attached to the marriage. Or Mountain Ways where they very much do want them, but had trouble communicating until the end.
I also really liked Old Music and the Slave Women. I was rather confused at first because I had no idea who Old Music was but the things that the characters went through were rather horrifying. This was just a story of pure emotion.
I didn't like many of the earlier short stories and ended up reading them out of order. I thought the stand out ones were Unchosen Love and Mountain Ways for their characters trying to jump through hoops where they finally can be satisfied with their life together. Unchosen Love was rather atmospheric and isolating in that the main character didn't really want the strings attached to the marriage. Or Mountain Ways where they very much do want them, but had trouble communicating until the end.
I also really liked Old Music and the Slave Women. I was rather confused at first because I had no idea who Old Music was but the things that the characters went through were rather horrifying. This was just a story of pure emotion.
lukebyrd1's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
emmankara's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
arianasaraha's review against another edition
5.0
THIS BOOK!! Wow. I did not expect the depth of soul and humanistic imagining this book holds. Every single story is utterly captivating and unique in its thought experiments.
I suppose I shouldn't be too surprised, as it's a later work, and I'm sure Ursula herself kept deepening in her understanding of life and its possibilities. But again, wow!
I'm so glad I started diving into some of her more obscure compilations…
I suppose I shouldn't be too surprised, as it's a later work, and I'm sure Ursula herself kept deepening in her understanding of life and its possibilities. But again, wow!
I'm so glad I started diving into some of her more obscure compilations…
letitbeans's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
hanz's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
Really enjoyed the final story Paradises Lost and liked Solitude, but found it hard to connect to the other stories and they were often very difficult to read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Slavery, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Kidnapping, Racism, Rape, and Sexual content
Minor: Abortion
leontyna's review against another edition
The stories didn't grab me that much and the narrator was awful. I will still reach for other LeGuin's books though.