A unique but also totally Le Guin experience. Very thoughtful, philosophical, and quiet.

The character of George was such an interesting choice. The way he thinks of himself and the way others talk about him was a study in what our culture values in people and men in particular. His calm strength puzzles everyone.

I also loved the exploration of what can we or should we do to make the world a better place. For me, Le Guin took this question even further than most, questioning the idea of purpose at all never mind what our purpose might be. Captured best in this conversation between Haber and George:

“But in fact, isn’t that man’s very purpose on earth—to do things, change things, run things, make a better world?”
“No!”
“What is his purpose, then?”
“I don’t know. Things don’t have purposes, as if the universe were a machine, where every part has a useful function. What’s the function of a galaxy? I don’t know if our life has a purpose and I don’t see that it matters. What does matter is that we’re a part. Like a thread in a cloth or a grass-blade in a field. It is and we are. What we do is like wind blowing on the grass.”

The story got a bit goofy at times, like with the aliens who feel especially of the era. Le Guin is also both forward thinking and dated, as when she notes the housewives coming to the store for home goods… But you can always count on her for something thought provoking.

Other favorite quotes:
… his own mind was so resistant to such divisions that he was slow to recognize them in others. But he had learned that they existed. He had grown up in a country run by politicians who sent the pilots to man the bombers to kill the babies to make the world safe for children to grow up in.

“Then this world will be like heaven, and men will be like gods!”
“We are, we are already,” Orr said, but the other paid no heed.

He stood and endured reality.