Paperback, 336 pages
English language
Published Sept. 19, 2018 by Orion Publishing Co.
[Comment by Kim Stanley Robinson, on The Guardian's website][1]: The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K Le Guin (1969)
One of my favorite novels is The Left Hand of Darkness, by Ursula K Le Guin. For more than 40 years I've been recommending this book to people who want to try science fiction for the first time, and it still serves very well for that. One of the things I like about it is how clearly it demonstrates that science fiction can have not only the usual virtues and pleasures of the novel, but also the startling and transformative power of the thought experiment.
In this case, the thought experiment is quickly revealed: "The king was pregnant," the book tells us early on, and after that we learn more and more about this planet named Winter, stuck in an ice age, where the humans are most of the time …
[Comment by Kim Stanley Robinson, on The Guardian's website][1]: The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K Le Guin (1969)
One of my favorite novels is The Left Hand of Darkness, by Ursula K Le Guin. For more than 40 years I've been recommending this book to people who want to try science fiction for the first time, and it still serves very well for that. One of the things I like about it is how clearly it demonstrates that science fiction can have not only the usual virtues and pleasures of the novel, but also the startling and transformative power of the thought experiment.
In this case, the thought experiment is quickly revealed: "The king was pregnant," the book tells us early on, and after that we learn more and more about this planet named Winter, stuck in an ice age, where the humans are most of the time neither male nor female, but with the potential to become either. The man from Earth investigating this situation has a lot to learn, and so do we; and we learn it in the course of a thrilling adventure story, including a great "crossing of the ice". Le Guin's language is clear and clean, and has within it both the anthropological mindset of her father Alfred Kroeber, and the poetry of stories as magical things that her mother Theodora Kroeber found in native American tales. This worldly wisdom applied to the romance of other planets, and to human nature at its deepest, is Le Guin's particular gift to us, and something science fiction will always be proud of. Try it and see – you will never think about people in quite the same way again.
[1]: www.theguardian.com/books/2011/may/14/science-fiction-authors-choice
A fascinating sci-fi classic, occasionally a bit dated in our main character's reactions to a culture without gender or sex, his need to see gender where there is none is sometimes a little overstated- but even that is a fascinating read. Overall a brilliant book, touching on politics, beliefs, culture, friendships and vast cold, frozen landscapes, familiar and alien at the same time.
J'ai pris grand plaisir à découvrir l'univers d'Ursula K. Le Guin. Comme le roman s'inscrit dans un cycle de plusieurs romans et nouvelles, je pense que je m'essaierai à parcourir d'autres planètes de l'Ekumen. On plonge assez facilement dans ce monde. Je craignais un peu de m'y perdre mais le talent littéraire de l'autrice rend la visite accessible, même à celles et ceux, qui comme moi, n'ont pas l'habitude de ce genre littéraire. Je n'ajouterai rien concernant l'un des sujets les plus traités du roman — une façon très originale d'aborder la notion de genre — vous trouverez moult articles sur le sujet (cf. la postface de Stéphanie Nicot).
Content warning It contains spoilers
After having enjoyed a lot The Dispossessed, and having read so many great reviews about this book, I cannot stop but feeling disappointed or under the impression that I failed to understand it or it was not the right time for me to read it.
I must recognize the originality of describing a whole hermaphrodite species in a forever frozen world, with their own culture and social organisation (something I enjoyed). But I felt that the story that was promised was weak, full of Deus ex machinas, unnecessary interruptions, and not even as strong and moving as I had imagined. Is the bonding between Therem and Genly as strong as suggested or is it merely survival? Are their beliefs about the other so shaken and deconstructed as suggested or were simply weak prejudices broken by the forced coexistence?
The fact that I found the narrative unconsistent and unnecessarily complex, didn't help at all. Genli's trip is littered with plenty of complex concepts that are not fully developed, (I am still unsure about what the Shifgrethor is -I had to look at Wikipedia and stack exchange), legends, explanations about calendars or chapters written from somedody else's perspective, without a clear criteria or rhythm on when those interludes are added. But probably, what I found most disappointing was the constant mentions to the how different gethenian culture, society and cosmogony are due to their hermaphroditism, but IMHO, it is never not clearly exemplified in anything specific, not to mention the missed opportunity of using they/them pronouns (albeit I'm aware that that might not be that commonplace back in 1969, and probably editors thought that books had to had male characters to be sold).
One of my favorite works of fiction, in my top 5; it was number one for a little while but these days I'm more fond of Kafka's short story Metamorphosis. Both challenge the normal perception of the social paradigms we live with.
A beautifully written, multi layered book full of quotable lines, great ideas and deep characters.
It starts out as a story of court intrigue, misunderstanding and mistrust and ends up in high adventure, respect and friendship. On the way it includes philosophy, politics (a critique of populist nationalism which is as relevant as ever) and its own mythology.
The journey across the ice is beautifully described and totally believable. I love the way that Le Guinn throws in proverbs and aphorisms which are perfect for the alien culture she is describing.
Yeah, it's alright, I guess. Or maybe I'm just not getting all the hype?
This is a classic and one of LeGuin's most celebrated books for a reason. Not only is it a fantastic science fiction book with one of the most meticulously thought out cultures I've read, full of folklore and traditions and sayings and other bits of flavor that make it feel like a living breathing place, but I couldn't imagine anyone better than LeGuin to write about the process of looking past your prejudices to move from ignorance to understanding and the messy process of accepting a culture different from yours that manages to be brutal and miserable but undeniably sweet and heartfelt at the same time. I loved The Dispossessed but I suspect once the dust settles it might be The Left Hand of Darkness the one to stand at the top of her scifi output for me.
Los conceptos tratados en esta novela están increíblemente adelantados a su tiempo. Le Guin tiene la destreza narrativa de sumergirnos de lleno en el mundo de la novela, y empatizar (y un poco odiar) al personaje principal a través de quien estamos conociendo este planeta de hielo. Un clásico en todo el sentido de la palabra, pero uno que se ha mantenido fresco y relevante desde 1969.
Often discussed as "The book with the genderless aliens" it is obviously a lot more than that. It does of course touch on the gender thing, as the people of Gethen (Eternally winter planet) have no gender and only enter Kemmer occasionally when they become sexually active and can be temporarily male or female.
It is more a political and anthropological reflection about duality and unity. A theme that maybe starts on the sexes thing but goes on to war and peace, nationalism and the Ekumen (A intergalactic union of planets)
Essential reading though, and awesome world building!
Die erste Hälfte war Science Fiction von der quälendsten Sorte: Es war am Tag Gnarth des Monats Fnorgh auf dem Planeten Hemmheremm, Xarf fiel vom Himmel, als die Anhänger des Syrph dem Gorthonen von Shnorgh, siebter Flynpp aus dem Argan Sneckereck, bei der Klumph-Zeremonie zusahen, im Hintergrund werden allerdings bereits Intrigen im Kalten Krieg gegen das Land Blorgh gesponnen. Ich habe mehrmals mittellaut "boooring" gerufen, aber wegen vieler positiver Rezensionen hier drin und des guten Rufs der Autorin darauf vertraut, dass es irgendwann besser werden würde. Wurde es auch, in der zweiten Hälfte bestand das Buch nicht mehr nur aus Notizen zum worldbuilding, sondern hatte eine Handlung. Die war aber auch nicht besonders interessant (obwohl es ums Überleben in Eis und Schnee geht, und das interessiert mich eigentlich immer; ich weiß gar nicht, wie es möglich ist, davon so lahm zu erzählen). Die Überlegungen zu Sexualität und Gender bei den …
Die erste Hälfte war Science Fiction von der quälendsten Sorte: Es war am Tag Gnarth des Monats Fnorgh auf dem Planeten Hemmheremm, Xarf fiel vom Himmel, als die Anhänger des Syrph dem Gorthonen von Shnorgh, siebter Flynpp aus dem Argan Sneckereck, bei der Klumph-Zeremonie zusahen, im Hintergrund werden allerdings bereits Intrigen im Kalten Krieg gegen das Land Blorgh gesponnen. Ich habe mehrmals mittellaut "boooring" gerufen, aber wegen vieler positiver Rezensionen hier drin und des guten Rufs der Autorin darauf vertraut, dass es irgendwann besser werden würde. Wurde es auch, in der zweiten Hälfte bestand das Buch nicht mehr nur aus Notizen zum worldbuilding, sondern hatte eine Handlung. Die war aber auch nicht besonders interessant (obwohl es ums Überleben in Eis und Schnee geht, und das interessiert mich eigentlich immer; ich weiß gar nicht, wie es möglich ist, davon so lahm zu erzählen). Die Überlegungen zu Sexualität und Gender bei den Hemmheremmern bestehen aus "Androgyne Wesen sind androgyn! Irgendwas mit Yin-Yang!" Eigentlich zwei Sterne, der dritte ist dafür, dass es stilistisch unauffällig war.
Genly Ai is an emissary for the Ekumen on Winter, hopeful to open Winter to trade between worlds. However, Ai has a difficulty navigating a society and a world where people are ambisexual, and don't fit into particular gender roles.
Ai makes disparaging remarks throughout the novel about the residents of Winter, associating negative values to what he ascribes to female or womanly, while praising masculine values. His misogyny runs through the entire novel, insidious, hidden to all but him.
I suspect Le Guin's intent is to hold a mirror to ourselves, and let us see how we react (or don't!) to our behaviors reflected through Ai's actions.
I don't know that Ai fully recognizes his failures or weaknesses. I suspect we're intended to see and grow from them, not Ai.
Una reflexión sobre las relaciones humanas, el género, el poder, el nacionalismo, la guerra y la política dentro de un marco de ciencia ficción, en un planeta inhóspito y frío, que invita al recogimiento. Los mensajes que deja el libro son como el frío de Invierno, se filtran hasta los huesos. Una vez lo empecé no pude parar. Cualquiera diría que es de 1969, con cuestionamientos y reflexiones muy actuales.
Thought provoking story and a compelling writing style.
It feels weird to give an out-of-five star rating, the same way I'd rate a USB cable I bought online, to a book like this.
It's like the worst of asking lay people whether they like Beethoven's Fifth Symphony or Einstein's paper on the photoelectric effect. Yes, of course, but that's almost beside the point now, and focusing on it distracts from the true importance.
This is an incredible story, from the nature of the telling, to the glimpses given of a vast science fiction universe that say a lot in few words in Le Guin's classic manner, to its depiction of gender that, as I understand it, feels less shocking now in part due to the impact it had when it first came out. My only regret for this book is that it took me so long to finally start to read it. It's even a fast and easy …
It feels weird to give an out-of-five star rating, the same way I'd rate a USB cable I bought online, to a book like this.
It's like the worst of asking lay people whether they like Beethoven's Fifth Symphony or Einstein's paper on the photoelectric effect. Yes, of course, but that's almost beside the point now, and focusing on it distracts from the true importance.
This is an incredible story, from the nature of the telling, to the glimpses given of a vast science fiction universe that say a lot in few words in Le Guin's classic manner, to its depiction of gender that, as I understand it, feels less shocking now in part due to the impact it had when it first came out. My only regret for this book is that it took me so long to finally start to read it. It's even a fast and easy read, that draws you in and wondering what will happen next whether the characters are on a perilous journey or quietly talking in a monastery.
4.5 stars
Purchasable
https://www.litalist.com/book/9781473225947.