Incisive, eloquent, crackling with ideas, this is a "mental-biography" of the award-winning fiction writer, Ursula K. Le Guin. She draws together e...
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Dec 21, 2011
Shara (Calico Reaction)
rated it: 
I’ve actually recommended this book many times to people of all reading backgrounds. If you’re a woman, especially with any kind of feminist bent, you should read this book. If you’re a writer, you should read this book. If you’re both, what the hell are you waiting for? Le Guin is a must, especially for those of us struggling to define ourselves in male-dominated genres. And as mentioned behind the cut, Le Guin is passionate about diversity, so if you’re a writer who’s passionate about that, do
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Sep 04, 2010
Faith
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Ursula K. Le Guin is one of my all-time favorite authors. I've read nearly everything she's written--science fiction, fantasy, historical fiction, non-fiction. She is a brilliant writer and this collection of essays does not disappoint. I did an extensive interview with Ms. Le Guin a few years ago. The entire transcript is available at my website and an excerpt is at my blog.
From the back:
"From modern literature to menopause, from utopian thought to rodeos--in this c More...
From the back:
"From modern literature to menopause, from utopian thought to rodeos--in this c More...
Feb 28, 2011
Bennet
rated it:
Talks, essays and reviews recommended for anyone in the throes of a creative endeavor, especially writing. For me, a reference work that upon reconsideration feels like regaining the perspective of an old and trusted friend. May be scanned for the best bits to suit a mood or mindset, or read for random insights
about working, about making, about unmaking, about eating, cooking, feeding, about taking the seed and giving out life, about killing, about feeling, about thinking, about what More...
about working, about making, about unmaking, about eating, cooking, feeding, about taking the seed and giving out life, about killing, about feeling, about thinking, about what More...
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Nov 01, 2011
Amy
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I always find it more difficult to review anthologies and books I really enjoyed. Unfortunately, Dancing at the Edge of the World falls into both categories, making it nearly impossible for me to sum up. I greatly enjoyed reading the majority of this anthology and seeing how LeGuin's views changed over the decade plus time-span covered in Dancing at the Edge of the World. Some of her speeches were clunky in written form and her travelogues would probably have been more enjoyable if I had ever vi
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Mar 07, 2010
Dinah
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I read this book piecemeal, an essay every few weeks through the late summer, fall and winter until I came to the last piece in the collection "The Fisherwoman's Daughter." It knocked me flat on my back in January and I still haven't recovered. Le Guin begins by tackling the "Books-or-Babies" theory of 19th century women novelists, and moves through her own relationships with Louisa May Alcott, Virginia Woolf, Harriet Beecher Stowe, and finally her mother and herself. The que
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May 10, 2007
Kelly
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In her collection of essays, speeches, reviews, and journal entries, Le Guin presents a chronicle guide to her reflections of writing and literature, her own work, women's issues, and travel. Most of these works were written in the 80s, but they don't lose their relavance 20 years later. Although she is both an eloquent writer and speaker, all these topics together can feel very random when strung together. The works will appeal mostly to fans of Le Guin, fans of fantasy, writers, or those inter
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Jul 07, 2011
Josh
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As the subtitle suggests, there are multiple subjects at play in these essays, and while I found Leguin's thinking and writing about feminism to be extraordinary, her discussions of narrative intelligent and thought provoking (especially her questioning of conflict as the central motivating force in narrative), I was mostly unimpressed with the writings focusing on place. Therefore, four stars for a book full of five star essays.
May 31, 2009
Loren
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Rereading for the umpteenth time. Never tire of Le Guin. The essay on abortion alone is worth its weight in gold; I wish I could make every blessed soul in the world read it. And her writing is passionate and dry and wonderful, and I do not tire of it.
Jul 17, 2010
Rusty
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I have left very few books unfinished and especially not Ursula Le Guin books! Truly enjoy her writing but I stopped reading this one after several narratives. Some of it such as the discussions about writing or making movies was not my forte. The rest - oh, well.
Jun 14, 2011
Laura
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This is a fantastic book of non-ficition by one of my favorite authors, Ursula K. Le Guin. She dabbles in issues of how she would rewrite past texts to Planned Parenthood. It is really fascinating and accessible.
Dec 01, 2010
Beth
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Essays, speeches, poems and stories. Classic Le Guin - always causing me to look at the world sideways. Some of these pieces were just inaccessible, not contextual. Others moved me to tears.
Bless you, Ursula.
Bless you, Ursula.
Jul 18, 2011
Leah
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Ursula K. does some of her best writing on reading aloud, and some of the most powerful pieces in this collection are the speeches she wrote for graduations and conferences. Highly recommend "Is Gender Necessary? Redux" to anyone who has read, enjoyed, and struggled with The Left Hand of Darkness.
Jul 16, 2009
Sarah
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Leguin wrote this collection in the '70's, and although I wanted to love it, I found it a bit dated; it didn't hold my interest.
Sep 11, 2008
Amy
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This is such intelligent, engrossing writing. I made my husband listen to me read several of the essays outloud so that I could discuss them with him. If you are a woman, or know one, do yourself a favor and read this. You might not agree with what she says, but she makes coherent, passionate arguments that are worth your time.
Sep 21, 2007
Booknerd6
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Le Guin writes the kind of criticism that reminds me that I'm glad to be alive, delighted to be a woman, and so, so lucky to be a writer. If only all theory left us this way...
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