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The Left Hand of Darkness

By Ursula K. Le Guin

(79)

| Paperback | 9780441007318

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Book Description

Winner of the Hugo and Nebula Awards for Best Science Fiction Novel of the Year

A groundbreaking work of science fiction, The Left Hand of Darkness tells the story of a lone human emissary to Winter, an alien world whose inhabitants can change their gender. His goal is to facilitate WiContinue

Winner of the Hugo and Nebula Awards for Best Science Fiction Novel of the Year

A groundbreaking work of science fiction, The Left Hand of Darkness tells the story of a lone human emissary to Winter, an alien world whose inhabitants can change their gender. 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 completely dissimilar culture that 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.

"As profuse and original in invention as The Lord of the Rings." --Michael Moorcock

"What got to me was the quality of the storytelling. She's taken the mythology, psychology--the entire creative surround--and woven it into a jewel of a story." --Frank Herbert

"Evocative." --The Encyclopedia of Science Fiction

"An instant classic." --Minneapolis Star-Tribune

"[A] science fiction masterpiece." --Newsweek

Critics

  • The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K Le Guin

    It's hard to believe that The Left Hand of Darkness dates back to 1969: forty years on, it reads as well, or even better, then when it was originally written, and - deservedly - enjoys a classic status in the science-fiction canon, as well as being p ... (read full critics)

    thebookbag published on Tue, 28 Sep 2010

7 Reviews

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  • Idea geniale, realizzazione mediocre

    Quarto libro del Ciclo Hainita, è ambientato su un pianeta glaciale i cui abitanti sono tutti degli ermafroditi. O meglio: per la maggior parte del tempo sono degli asessuati ibridi uomo/donna, e una volta al mese, quando entrano in calore, possono assumere per il breve tempo del corteggiamento e de ... (continue)

    Quarto libro del Ciclo Hainita, è ambientato su un pianeta glaciale i cui abitanti sono tutti degli ermafroditi. O meglio: per la maggior parte del tempo sono degli asessuati ibridi uomo/donna, e una volta al mese, quando entrano in calore, possono assumere per il breve tempo del corteggiamento e del rapporto sessuale i tratti dell’uno o dell’altro sesso, a seconda di chi hanno intorno. Un inviato della lega interplanetaria Ecumene, Genly Ai, si troverà a scendere sul pianeta per compiere un'indagine antropologica nel momento sbagliato: le due maggiori potenze del pianeta infatti si preparano alla guerra…
    L’argomento è molto affascinante, ma il romanzo è rovinato dai difetti tipici di molta produzione della LeGuin: stile piatto, ritmo inesistente, carenza di azione, e il fatto che per la maggior parte del tempo non succede mai *niente*. Le parti più interessanti infatti non sono quelle narrate, ma quelle pseudo-saggistiche che analizzano lo stile di vita e il ritmo biologico degli ermafroditi. Insomma, The Left Hand of Darkness è un capolavoro mancato.
    Rimane un libro curioso, che vale la pena provare a leggere.

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    Tapiroulant said on Jan 1, 2012 about the Hardcover edition | Add your feedback

  • After loving the Lathe of Heaven I was recommended to read this one by several people. I have to say it was a little disappointing. I really liked the idea of a planet where there were no gender issues, where people only became sexual beings for part of the time and could become male or female. But ... (continue)

    After loving the Lathe of Heaven I was recommended to read this one by several people. I have to say it was a little disappointing. I really liked the idea of a planet where there were no gender issues, where people only became sexual beings for part of the time and could become male or female. But the fact that the non-gendered people were constantly referred to as "he" really bothered me. Instead of reading a book with a neutral gender I felt I was reading yet another book with only male characters. (It was explained that he was meant to be gender neutral as it was when referring to God as "he" but that also bothers me). Apart from that I found the plot kinda slow and the setting a little dull. It felt more like fantasy than Sci-fi as even though they were on a different planet most of the books seemed to be low tech traveling. There were some nice moments, the main characters imprisonment in the work camp and the trip there were quite harrowing, the bond that formed while crossing the ice was interesting, but the actual trip of crossing the ice was kinda dull in a Tolkein way. The ending just felt a little hollow. It wasn't bad just not really my thing. But I was recommended another book by her and I think I will give that a go even though this one didn't do much for me.

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    Robot-mel said on Jul 24, 2011 | Add your feedback

  • Great book

    A triumph of sci-fi books. The main story gets a but boring sometimes but the way Le Guin writes about the relation between the two main characters is awesome.

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    Izanagi said on Nov 3, 2008 about the Mass Market Paperback edition | Add your feedback

  • I read this because it had received such high praise, but I guess it just wasn't my cup of tea. Envoy from United Planets thing goes to "pre space flight" planet to make first contact, and they try to get them to join the "family". Strange planet, only habitable part is colder than Iceland. Peopl ... (continue)

    I read this because it had received such high praise, but I guess it just wasn't my cup of tea. Envoy from United Planets thing goes to "pre space flight" planet to make first contact, and they try to get them to join the "family". Strange planet, only habitable part is colder than Iceland. People are neither male, nor female - choose one or the other when mating. I was disappointed.

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    Bashful said on Sep 25, 2008 about the School & Library Binding edition | Add your feedback

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