Helpful Score: 3
Ursula K. LeGuin at her finest; there's a reason this is one of the bedrocks of science fiction. The story is an interesting rumination on the trials of working cross-culturally and of the perils faced in trying to bring change to an established order. But above all it is best known for its philosophical view of gender and what differences we might find in a world where the inhabitants are capable of being either male or female.
20 years after first reading The Left Hand of Darkness, I remember vividly what a strong impression it made on me. A wonderful mind-opener.
While the political machinations that make up a good deal of this book didn't interest me, the core story about people from two different cultures finally reaching an understanding of one another was deeply moving.
I had to be patient and it paid off. Great work, finely written. Engaging, cared for the characters, was deeply moved once it caught me, or once I caught on...
A good SF story with a few weaknesses. LeGuin hammers on the point that "sex colors everything" a bit too much. I don't buy it. But that and a couple of nits aside, this is a classic tale. Don't expect space opera, though. This is about relationships and politics, not space battles.
Not a fast moving book. It does skip around a bit, which can be a little confusing. Still it is more than worth the read.
Classic science fiction novel.
Yes, it deals with gender issues, but it is not the "angry feminist" novel that was particularly common at the time it was written (and is still too common today, imho). Engaging, fascinating, moving, powerful. This is a wonderful book.
