schnoebs13's review
4.25
When a surveying mission goes completely wrong, Rocannon is the last of his team alive and he must use the few resources he has at his disposal and the relationships he’s built with the local peoples of the planet to try and get back to warn the League of the threat. Filled with unknown dangers as he traverses the terrain of the regions the locals would not go, Rocannon gains an even greater knowledge of this world which is so much more than his original mission could have asked for.
For such a short book, I loved how developed and never ending this planet became through Le Guin’s writing. I could easily picture the group traveling in the sky, by boat, or just walking and coming across all these new environments that were lost to history for the local people. Additionally, I really appreciated the side comments in Rocannon’s mind about the different species and developments of civilization for the handbook and how it tied into the prologue where his first encounter with one of them was in their museum where it then led to his current situation. The comments surrounding the distance traveled through space compared to on this planet also played well with building up different levels of expectations for how action scenes would occur.
Though this isn’t my first book by Le Guin, this is my first sci-fi by her and I was instantly drawn into this world she created for the Hainish series. I loved the different levels of politics that took place within this story and the role Rocannon played as a starlord but also now a wanderer. The way she took the reader through this journey was amazing because it felt just as epic as what you could find in the full series of the Lord of the Rings, but this was only about 100-150 pages depending on the edition. The world building blew me away and the way I was invested in these characters just made the ending so much better. Additionally, I loved her bittersweet approach on explaining the title of the book which honestly sold me on wanting to read so much more from her.
For such a short book, I loved how developed and never ending this planet became through Le Guin’s writing. I could easily picture the group traveling in the sky, by boat, or just walking and coming across all these new environments that were lost to history for the local people. Additionally, I really appreciated the side comments in Rocannon’s mind about the different species and developments of civilization for the handbook and how it tied into the prologue where his first encounter with one of them was in their museum where it then led to his current situation. The comments surrounding the distance traveled through space compared to on this planet also played well with building up different levels of expectations for how action scenes would occur.
Though this isn’t my first book by Le Guin, this is my first sci-fi by her and I was instantly drawn into this world she created for the Hainish series. I loved the different levels of politics that took place within this story and the role Rocannon played as a starlord but also now a wanderer. The way she took the reader through this journey was amazing because it felt just as epic as what you could find in the full series of the Lord of the Rings, but this was only about 100-150 pages depending on the edition. The world building blew me away and the way I was invested in these characters just made the ending so much better. Additionally, I loved her bittersweet approach on explaining the title of the book which honestly sold me on wanting to read so much more from her.
taroreads69's review
4.0
What can I say... it is quite obvious that this is an earlier work of le guin's. still i enjoyed it. 4 out of 5 stars.
keross72's review
challenging
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.25
The version I read has an intro by the author later in life, essentially apologizing for her earlier writing style. The book was ok, but the apology was well placed. It also pointed out some of the inconsistencies, which made them stand out in the book as I read it. So, my rating is perhaps a self-fulfilling prophecy
maggiebourne's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
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
3.75
mschlat's review against another edition
3.0
This version (published in 1977) has an introduction to the 1966 novel, where Le Guin says the following:
And, yes, it is. There's a science fiction introduction (where Rocannon contemplates the world he is about to do an ethnographic survey upon), the bulk of the middle is fantasy (with allusions to standard medieval fantasy tropes), and the ending goes back to science fiction. And the prose serves the fantasy so much better than the science fiction. Eventually, I know Le Guin will marry her sparse style with my favorite sf work of hers ([b:The Dispossessed|13651|The Dispossessed (Hainish Cycle, #6)|Ursula K. Le Guin|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1353467455l/13651._SY75_.jpg|2684122]), but this first novel gives mostly hints of what is to come.
Still, it's a short read, and well off the beaten path of standard 60's science fiction.
But of course fantasy and science fiction are different, just as red and blue are different; [...] Rocannon's World is purple.
And, yes, it is. There's a science fiction introduction (where Rocannon contemplates the world he is about to do an ethnographic survey upon), the bulk of the middle is fantasy (with allusions to standard medieval fantasy tropes), and the ending goes back to science fiction. And the prose serves the fantasy so much better than the science fiction. Eventually, I know Le Guin will marry her sparse style with my favorite sf work of hers ([b:The Dispossessed|13651|The Dispossessed (Hainish Cycle, #6)|Ursula K. Le Guin|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1353467455l/13651._SY75_.jpg|2684122]), but this first novel gives mostly hints of what is to come.
Still, it's a short read, and well off the beaten path of standard 60's science fiction.
smiorganbaldhead's review
4.0
I enjoyed this story, which feels like heroic fantasy with sci fi in the background. I found the ending particularly satisfying. I also enjoyed the way it leads into the events of Planet of Exile and City of Illusions, as I read them out of order. I only wish the book had been longer, to give greater depth to the interesting creatures inhabiting Rocannon’s World.