Ursula K. Le Guin

by Barbara J. Bucknall

A critical analysis of Le Guin's style and themes draws attention to her concern with psychology and Taoist philosophy as well as to her role in the contemporary development of science fiction

Genres: Biography

190 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1981

Reviews

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Earlier this year I decided I would read through everything Ursula K. Le Guin had published (at least that I could find), though without re-reading books I had already read. For that, I happened to discover this book at literally the perfect time. Originally it was just a pickup from Powell's that I thought would be a good plane read simply because it's about UKLG, but then I realized it was specifically about all the works of Le Guin up until exactly where I am with my chronological read-through: the story collection, The Compass Rose, which was just incredibly advantageous (in fact, TCR hadn’t been released yet, but many of the stories had been released individually and Bucknall discusses those).

Except for my very specific situation, the book itself is just okay. It’s mostly a summary of the works, with a little commentary and background. Which, again, was actually great for me, as I was able to refresh my mind on works that I’d read years ago, plus occasionally gain a little context, but ultimately it doesn’t provide particularly outstanding commentary or say much that isn’t said elsewhere. But it is a great re-cap, and I actually wish there would've been a "volume 2" or something later in Le Guin's career.

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Magic, sex, and politics are features of Ursula Le Guin's best-known works. Like the Taoist philosophy that has so deeply influenced her, much of Le Guin's writing -- especially the Earthsea trilogy, her greatest achievement -- combines mystical elements with the familiar. For Le Guin, the inner journey is a fruitful link with the outer journey on which she sends her characters.

"Barbara Bucknell draws on her own delight in these stories -- and on the cooperation of Ursula Le Guin herself -- to explore the development of the writer's work and her emergence as a superb storyteller and critic, whose books have received many awards. Bucknall follows her growth from the early science fiction novels, through her memorable stories for younger readers, to the 'social science fiction' based on Le Guin's interest in psychology and biology. The marvels of technology and of non human forms of life are largely absent from her work.

'Ursula Le Guin, says the author, is a romantic who keeps a solid grounding of realism in even her most imaginative creations."
~~back cover

I'm a huge Ursula Le Guin fan, so I was excited to find this book. But a bit disappointed while reading it. So many of the chapters were mainly recaps of the plots of the book, with little space devoted to discussing Le Guin's background, her philosophy, or her purpose in writing what she did. I've already read the novels and the stories -- I didn't need a retelling.

[Erik Graff · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a literary biography of the author which takes her and her work through the seventies. Nothing special, but it was nice to recollect some of the novels and stories by Le Guin that I'd enjoyed over the years.