markcummings's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
manji's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
apageinthestacks's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
I’ve already read all these novels previously, but I’m using this just to track the short stories, essays, and other appendices included as I read through the entire Hainish cycle.
habeasopus's review against another edition
5.0
This is science fiction at its best. Holding a mirror up to humanity and asking tough questions with surprising answers. This volume has the bonus of several short stories and essays. I think I love reading Le Guin writing ABOUT writing just as much as I love reading her ... writing.
erikars's review against another edition
5.0
Not all of the content in this collection is 5 star. However, by collecting a related body of work together, along with some essays (mostly intros to editions of the novels), the reader can see both the connections between different novels and stories in Le Guin's Hainish universe as well as her growth as a writer. Of the novels included in this volume, I probably would not have read them outside of this collection — and wouldn't necessarily recommend all of them standalone — yet I am glad to have read them all together.
becksusername's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
slow-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? No
5.0
Rocannon's World
I absolutely loved this story qnd the characters. It read like a fairy tale but the end was so heart-breaking
Planet of Exile
Obsessed with this romen and juliet romance, though a little annoyed by how many of LeGuin's worlds are so brutally patriarchal
City of Illusions
What a scary but also kind of hopeful story of distant future earth! I feel like this story really showcases LeGuin's belief in humanity - our resilience, ingenuity, and ability to come together against adversity
The Left Hand of Darkness
This was a re-read for me and I'm glad I chose not to skip it. I feel like already having some understanding of the world freed me up to really appreciate the arc of Genly and Estraven's friendship, and I better understood the intricacies of the political situation.
The Disposessed
I think this story made me an anarchist? Shevek was not the most lovable protag imo but it was intresting to see monogamy as the subversive lifestyle choice. I do wish there was more explicit description of how shitty capitalism was for people on Urras, not just "it's not as nice as they wanted me to think, goodbye"
Stories
As a genderfluid person, I am obsessed with Gethenian sexuality and if you can forget that they come of age at 14, the kemmerhouse story was really fuckin sexy. The Argaven XVII story was so satisfying too. Kind of reminiscent of the hero's journey fairy tale type thing in Rocannon's World but with all the weird Gethenian culture/politics involved and a way more savvy main character. Odo's story was kind of sad and cynical but it was interesting to see a previously mythic character in her full messy decrepit humanity.
I absolutely loved this story qnd the characters. It read like a fairy tale but the end was so heart-breaking
Planet of Exile
Obsessed with this romen and juliet romance, though a little annoyed by how many of LeGuin's worlds are so brutally patriarchal
City of Illusions
What a scary but also kind of hopeful story of distant future earth! I feel like this story really showcases LeGuin's belief in humanity - our resilience, ingenuity, and ability to come together against adversity
The Left Hand of Darkness
This was a re-read for me and I'm glad I chose not to skip it. I feel like already having some understanding of the world freed me up to really appreciate the arc of Genly and Estraven's friendship, and I better understood the intricacies of the political situation.
The Disposessed
I think this story made me an anarchist? Shevek was not the most lovable protag imo but it was intresting to see monogamy as the subversive lifestyle choice. I do wish there was more explicit description of how shitty capitalism was for people on Urras, not just "it's not as nice as they wanted me to think, goodbye"
Stories
As a genderfluid person, I am obsessed with Gethenian sexuality and if you can forget that they come of age at 14, the kemmerhouse story was really fuckin sexy. The Argaven XVII story was so satisfying too. Kind of reminiscent of the hero's journey fairy tale type thing in Rocannon's World but with all the weird Gethenian culture/politics involved and a way more savvy main character. Odo's story was kind of sad and cynical but it was interesting to see a previously mythic character in her full messy decrepit humanity.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Animal death, Xenophobia, War, Colonisation, Death, Genocide, Grief, Incest, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Murder, Pregnancy, Sexism, Blood, Bullying, Classism, Death of parent, Drug use, Addiction, Infertility, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Vomit, Violence, Adult/minor relationship, Mental illness, Sexual content, Sexual assault, Terminal illness, Suicidal thoughts, Abandonment, and Ableism
arthurbdd's review against another edition
5.0
Magnificent compilation of some of Le Guin's finest science fiction.
mjbellecourt's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
badger1984's review
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25