The Left Hand of Darkness - Ursula K. Le Guin & Charlie Jane Anders

The Left Hand of Darkness

By Ursula K. Le Guin & Charlie Jane Anders

  • Release Date: 1976-01-01
  • Genre: Classics
Score: 4.5
4.5
From 454 Ratings

Description

50TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION—WITH A NEW INTRODUCTION BY DAVID MITCHELL AND A NEW AFTERWORD BY CHARLIE JANE ANDERS

Ursula K. Le Guin’s groundbreaking work of science fiction—winner of the Hugo and Nebula Awards.

A lone human ambassador is sent to the icebound planet of Winter, a world without sexual prejudice, where the inhabitants’ gender is fluid. His goal is to facilitate Winter’s inclusion in a growing intergalactic civilization. But to do so he must bridge the gulf between his own views and those of the strange, intriguing culture he encounters...

Embracing the aspects of psychology, society, and human emotion on an alien world, The Left Hand of Darkness stands as a landmark achievement in the annals of intellectual science fiction.

Reviews

  • What a fantastic book

    5
    By AlexCarney121
    This is an amazing book. Literate, incisive, filled with a lyrical poetic prose which is deeply moving. As always, Le Guin strikes at the heart of identity and what it means to be human under the guise of fantasy/science fiction. An amazing author, a remarkable book. Don’t miss it.
  • My favorite author

    5
    By OMeOMyOh
    Read her. Read everything by her. But this is her best known work.
  • Wonderful

    5
    By Fjfbejtbtbdju183$3)3)3)3$&2
    A book that greets you warmly through the door, walks alongside you, and then whispers goodbye when it is time to join society once more.
  • So?

    2
    By MDupraw
    A slow storyline. Painfully so. Yes, it’s cold. Yes, the inhabitants of this world are naturally androgynous. No, I didn’t care. A laborous, it not self indulgent, attempt at being ethereal and thought provoking. Pages and pages dedicated to one long torturous journey across an ice wasteland, to have all the political social questions wrapped up a few quick sentences. I should have been given an award for finishing the book.
  • Adversity Can be a Good Thing

    5
    By Movieluce
    When I finished this book, I felt like I had been a part of the awakening of two people who had learned what it means to be fully human. Yes, they are from different planets with vastly different languages, cultures, governmental structures, daily, and sexual practices, but facing adversity together allows them to form a deep bond. I highly recommend this book.
  • Astounding!

    5
    By Dwardeng
    One of the greatest Science Fiction novels ever. Space, the future and a study of human nature are all on display here. Superb writing.