The Left Hand of Darkness in On Paths Unknown

Apr 21, 2013 Cecily rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Shelves: usa-and-canada, sexuality-gender-lgbtqi, scifi-future-speculative-fict

The meagre 2* is more a reflection of my enjoyment way back in 2013, rather than an objective measure of the book (it has won prestigious awards). It wasn't to my taste back then, exacerbated by mismatched expectations. I'd probably read it very differently now, hence hiding the rest of the review in a spoiler tag.

(view spoiler) The meagre 2* is more a reflection of my enjoyment way back in 2013, rather than an objective measure of the book (it has won prestigious awards). It wasn't to my taste back then, exacerbated by mismatched expectations. I'd probably read it very differently now, hence hiding the rest of the review in a spoiler tag.

(view spoiler) ...more

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May 25, 2015 Jennifer rated it liked it

This is my first venture with the author. It is a finely written novel. Exquisite really. I enjoy alien planets and ventures. Looking at things with different eyes. I am sad to say that I had a challenging time. I just could not connect with the characters. I almost gave up a few times. But having reached the end I can say that I am glad to have read it through. Honestly I just am not sure what to say about the story. I am still thinking about this one. The ideas presented. Part of me feels unfu ...more

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Jul 08, 2014 Nate D rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: sci-fi, ice-and-snow, read-in-2014, favorites, 60s-re-de-construction

I've long been meaning to read this one as a key feminist work in new wave science fiction, but of course, like the best of the genre, it's developed far beyond allegory or polemic. The Left Hand of Darkness is philosophic, political, anthropological, a travelogue and adventure story across a (beautifully conceived and rendered) ice planet and alien civilization. That the world and culture are without gender essentially shapes not only its larger purpose, but equally the narrative and conceptual ...more

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Feb 07, 2015 Damon rated it really liked it

Shelves: sci-fi

Nice idea from Le Guinn. Could have been a lot longer and explored the hermaphrodite theme a bit closer.

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Feb 06, 2014 Gry Ranfelt rated it really liked it

Get ready to be freaked out. Or weirded out. Or maybe you're gonna go "hay!" with a kinda dirty face, but I don't wanna know in that case ...
Imagine this frozen planet where summer is so sludgy and rainy that people long for winter. Imagine a people with a fysiology exactly like hours except they have NO GENDER. They have the potential of becoming either gender during sex, but only when in the right part of their cycle.
The rest of the time?
Sexless society. Genderless society. Warless society.
Thi ...more

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