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yuripiano's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
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
Gosh. Okay.
Should I sit with my thoughts before writing a review?
Probably.
Will I?
...
So anyway, I just finished reading this - there's so much here, where to even begin...
Genly Ai. Sometimes, I wish to beat you with a stick.
Estraven, my sweet Gethenian, I wish to give you the stick to beat Genly Ai.
This is a gross over-exaggeration but MMMNGH Genly I swear some of the choices you made are questionable at best and misogynistic at worst and AAAAGH you're truly one of the protagonists of all time.
Is protagonist even the word I want? I mean I suppose so, but... it doesn't really feel like a story with a protagonist or even a pair of protagonists, so much as a story that happens, and there happens to be two main characters living that story, and through them, things happen, if that makes sense? It's strange and compelling, and for some reason I'm having a hard time describing it, and consequently my feelings about it.
It was good, though.
I want to make that clear - there often are books where I read them and think "wow, that was a lot, I probably need to reread it to really get it," but I know I never will as a function of lack of time/will.
This is one I could easily see myself actually rereading.
Because, I mean, there's just so much - the interludes breaking up Estraven and Genly's stories serve as such wonderful world building, but I don't think I would truly be able to get every last ounce of meaning from them without multiple rereads and analyses, and I think that's really cool!
But, at the same time, I feel like I'm maybe slightly biased by having just finished it and also knowing it's a pretty revered book in its own right.
To that end, I'm not sure if this is another reason why I need to reread this, but, I wasn't... satisfied with the exploration of gender in it.
Like, I enjoyed what was there!
But coming through the voice of a flawed and misogynistic main character in Genly Ai, I feel like I was left... wanting for more. A big part of that comes in Le Guin's usage of he/him pronouns for the Gethenians as a whole - she has expressed her feelings over her pronoun usage in essay, but I really just want to reiterate what she's already noted elsewhere that I really don't feel like I got a sense of the "duality" of most Gethenians, least of all Estraven.
Heck, any time showing this came up, it was always at the anger or disappointment of Genly, which, I know, kind of was the point, but it still annoyed me.
... I guess, this was supposed to make me feel uncomfortable, and while that's fine, I still wanted "more" overall - show me this side possibly from Estraven's perspective more, and this would have been nice, and additionally, if we're going with the usage of he/him pronouns being a function of Genly's internalized misogyny/sexism/conformity to expected gender roles, would it have hurt for sections from Estraven's perspective to use they/them, it/its, or some other form of neopronoun instead?
(According to the author at the time, yes, but she would later go on to say that she was okay with they/them pronoun usage... and stars, I really wish she had put them in here)
This is turning out so long I'm so sorry sljkdfjklsd I just, have so many feelings, and I really did enjoy this a lot, and there's so much to talk about, and while the story did make me think about gender and the role it plays in society, I find myself wanting for more from an already progressive book for its time.
Solid read, definitely would recommend to anyone, but Genly, I hope you stub your toe or step on an Ekumenical Lego.
Pros:
- The world building is top notch, Karhide and Orgoreyn feel real and distinct
- The writing itself is beautiful
- Estraven is a darling
Cons:
- He/Him pronoun usage is jarring and exclusionary given the gender construct the book seeks to dismantle
- The emphasis on duality seems to leave out any sort of gender expression outside it, which leaves me feeling like nonbinary voices are "unheard" in a way
- I am eternally upset thatGenly and Estraven did not have a steamy moment together in the tent on the Gobrin Ice, like, COME ON, YOU WERE SO CLOSE, but I guess that's what AO3 is for
Should I sit with my thoughts before writing a review?
Probably.
Will I?
...
So anyway, I just finished reading this - there's so much here, where to even begin...
Genly Ai. Sometimes, I wish to beat you with a stick.
Estraven, my sweet Gethenian, I wish to give you the stick to beat Genly Ai.
This is a gross over-exaggeration but MMMNGH Genly I swear some of the choices you made are questionable at best and misogynistic at worst and AAAAGH you're truly one of the protagonists of all time.
Is protagonist even the word I want? I mean I suppose so, but... it doesn't really feel like a story with a protagonist or even a pair of protagonists, so much as a story that happens, and there happens to be two main characters living that story, and through them, things happen, if that makes sense? It's strange and compelling, and for some reason I'm having a hard time describing it, and consequently my feelings about it.
It was good, though.
I want to make that clear - there often are books where I read them and think "wow, that was a lot, I probably need to reread it to really get it," but I know I never will as a function of lack of time/will.
This is one I could easily see myself actually rereading.
Because, I mean, there's just so much - the interludes breaking up Estraven and Genly's stories serve as such wonderful world building, but I don't think I would truly be able to get every last ounce of meaning from them without multiple rereads and analyses, and I think that's really cool!
But, at the same time, I feel like I'm maybe slightly biased by having just finished it and also knowing it's a pretty revered book in its own right.
To that end, I'm not sure if this is another reason why I need to reread this, but, I wasn't... satisfied with the exploration of gender in it.
Like, I enjoyed what was there!
But coming through the voice of a flawed and misogynistic main character in Genly Ai, I feel like I was left... wanting for more. A big part of that comes in Le Guin's usage of he/him pronouns for the Gethenians as a whole - she has expressed her feelings over her pronoun usage in essay, but I really just want to reiterate what she's already noted elsewhere that I really don't feel like I got a sense of the "duality" of most Gethenians, least of all Estraven.
Heck, any time showing this came up, it was always at the anger or disappointment of Genly, which, I know, kind of was the point, but it still annoyed me.
... I guess, this was supposed to make me feel uncomfortable, and while that's fine, I still wanted "more" overall - show me this side possibly from Estraven's perspective more, and this would have been nice, and additionally, if we're going with the usage of he/him pronouns being a function of Genly's internalized misogyny/sexism/conformity to expected gender roles, would it have hurt for sections from Estraven's perspective to use they/them, it/its, or some other form of neopronoun instead?
(According to the author at the time, yes, but she would later go on to say that she was okay with they/them pronoun usage... and stars, I really wish she had put them in here)
This is turning out so long I'm so sorry sljkdfjklsd I just, have so many feelings, and I really did enjoy this a lot, and there's so much to talk about, and while the story did make me think about gender and the role it plays in society, I find myself wanting for more from an already progressive book for its time.
Solid read, definitely would recommend to anyone, but Genly, I hope you stub your toe or step on an Ekumenical Lego.
Pros:
- The world building is top notch, Karhide and Orgoreyn feel real and distinct
- The writing itself is beautiful
- Estraven is a darling
Cons:
- He/Him pronoun usage is jarring and exclusionary given the gender construct the book seeks to dismantle
- The emphasis on duality seems to leave out any sort of gender expression outside it, which leaves me feeling like nonbinary voices are "unheard" in a way
- I am eternally upset that
Content Warnings
Minor: Misogyny and Sexism
soupwife's review against another edition
I’m not sure I can get past the main character’s misogyny. I can see how it connects to the themes, but I just find it aggravating. I love the sci fi aspects, and I may revisit this one again but it just isn’t clicking for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny
_david_'s review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The worldbuilding is masterfully executed, revealing a rich and diverse world and culture within the confines of a relatively short book. The characters are captivating, and the narrative effectively captures the challenges of collaboration with a culture one doesn't fully comprehend and vice versa.
The book successfully presents multiple perspectives, with the main character questioning his own ideas and cultural norms after engaging with Winter's people. What stands out is how Winter and its countries aren't portrayed as utopias nor lesser places than earth. They're not good or bad, just different, with their own moral grey areas. Even the two countries that are shown in the book have big cultural differences. Eventhough gender is a significant theme and the first thing you'll likely learn when looking up the book, the core focus revolves around learning to respect and collaborate with another culture. The way gender is represented in the book is in a world that shows the what-if scenario of a society where gender (or sexuality) has no impact on people's role in it.
The only aspect I wish were different is that 'neutral' pronouns and other terms are male to the reader. Perhaps it highlights the flaws of the main character and his default way of thinking. But I still found it odd.
The book successfully presents multiple perspectives, with the main character questioning his own ideas and cultural norms after engaging with Winter's people. What stands out is how Winter and its countries aren't portrayed as utopias nor lesser places than earth. They're not good or bad, just different, with their own moral grey areas. Even the two countries that are shown in the book have big cultural differences. Eventhough gender is a significant theme and the first thing you'll likely learn when looking up the book, the core focus revolves around learning to respect and collaborate with another culture. The way gender is represented in the book is in a world that shows the what-if scenario of a society where gender (or sexuality) has no impact on people's role in it.
The only aspect I wish were different is that 'neutral' pronouns and other terms are male to the reader. Perhaps it highlights the flaws of the main character and his default way of thinking. But I still found it odd.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Gun violence, Police brutality, Grief, and Deportation
Moderate: Animal death, Incest, Suicide, Xenophobia, and Gaslighting
Minor: Cursing, Incest, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual content, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
paloverdepages's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
stuck between a 4.75 and 5 for this one- there were a few passages about gender that i resonated strongly with. i wish i understood more, hope that reading the rest of the series will give me some insight when i get around to rereading this one. maybe i'm too hesitant to give books 5 stars; i just saw no reason not to with this one. also now i get to talk about it with so many people! so excellent, absolutely merits a reread and maybe some hardcopy annotating.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Death, Misogyny, and Forced institutionalization
Minor: Animal death, Incest, and Suicide
ford_defect's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
reflective
medium-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? It's complicated
4.75
Le Guin’s writing is fantastic. I seek out sci-fi to get transported to other worlds, and man, can this woman worldbuild. I could easily picture Winter/Gethen despite it being so foreign. The effort put into the culture, politics, history, and characters is something one doesn't see often (and keeping a coherent storyline, too???). Even within the genre. It almost felt like reading an anthropology book about real people.
However, I was a little disappointed on how the relationship with the two main characters ended. I can only blame my friend who hyped this up as some kind of LGBT-adjacent romance, which it is and isn't simultaneously. Still, this book has given me a lot to reflect on when it comes to our gendered, heteronormative society. It's something I'll certainly have to re-read in the future.
There were a couple things that rubbed me the wrong way, though. CW: incest, sexism, misogyny, transphobiaFor one, incest is somewhat acceptable in Gethenian culture, which was certainly a choice. The main character also had inherently sexist views since he came from a gendered society and seemed to get uncomfortable when Gethenians displayed femininity. (Albeit, he does grow). Lastly, I found it a little problematic when they wrote about Gethenian procreation like they were animals mating instead of regular people having sex. It comes off as a little transphobic, but I do understand why it's there.
But overall, my discomfort didn't sour this book for me. The uncomfortable parts had their place in the story. It's still an amazing work that certainly deserves a spot in SF history.
4.75/5
There were a couple things that rubbed me the wrong way, though. CW: incest, sexism, misogyny, transphobia
But overall, my discomfort didn't sour this book for me. The uncomfortable parts had their place in the story. It's still an amazing work that certainly deserves a spot in SF history.
4.75/5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Incest, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual content, Suicide, Xenophobia, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Transphobia and Pregnancy
arcturus_b's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
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? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, and Forced institutionalization
Moderate: Misogyny, Suicide, Police brutality, Grief, War, and Injury/Injury detail
bookishperseus's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
lighthearted
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
It did take a while for me to be able to start this book, and at times I found it incredibly slow, complex or tedious.
I did keep reading it because there was a small interest as to what would happen, even though this book is following what could be considered a 'usual every day life'.
Towards the end, I found the final 3 or 4 chapters actually quite interesting. Not something I'd read again, but glad I finished it!
I did keep reading it because there was a small interest as to what would happen, even though this book is following what could be considered a 'usual every day life'.
Towards the end, I found the final 3 or 4 chapters actually quite interesting. Not something I'd read again, but glad I finished it!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body shaming, Confinement, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gun violence, Hate crime, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Police brutality, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, and Deportation
Minor: Body shaming, Child death, Chronic illness, Confinement, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gun violence, Hate crime, Incest, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Terminal illness, Torture, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Xenophobia, Vomit, Police brutality, Medical content, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Toxic friendship, Sexual harassment, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Deportation
scifi_rat's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Plot: 4.75★
Prose: 4.7★
Pace: 4.5★
Concept/Execution: 5★/5★
Characters: 5★
Worldbuilding: 5★
Ending: 4.5★
Prose: 4.7★
Pace: 4.5★
Concept/Execution: 5★/5★
Characters: 5★
Worldbuilding: 5★
Ending: 4.5★
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Incest, Mental illness, Misogyny, Sexism, Torture, Xenophobia, Grief, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Miscarriage, Suicide, Violence, Blood, and War
ka_cam's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
While I liked this less than others by Le Guin, it was still a thought provoking read with themes on intercultural communication, time, friendship and relationships, gender and sexuality, faith, patriotism, and politics set on a distant in time and space, very cold, planet populated by humans who have different sexual organs and cycles than on Earth/terra. The gender analysis is a bit sideways to the modern reader due to the narrator, Genly Ai, using exclusively he/him pronouns for folks and being pretty openly misogynist. Still lots to chew on, I read this in a book group and I think having people to discuss with added a lot to the reading.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Misogyny, Forced institutionalization, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Pregnancy
patitsas's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny
Moderate: Suicide