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A review by simonator
The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Expecting something of the caliber of The Dispossessed, one is surely left disappointed. This thought-experiment exhausts its insights fairly quickly.
Nonetheless, the skill of workbuilding and emotional allure on display here is impressive. Unfortunately, the plot kind of stutters along, lots of made-up words to keep track off, and somehow, I felt both protagonists remain sort of blank - maybe because there is not much of a colourful supporting cast to bounce off of or because their backstories remain elusive.
What makes this a classic is it's pioneering character, being written in 1969. For the modern (feminist) reader, some of the questions and answers in here are already part of a past conversation.
Nonetheless, the skill of workbuilding and emotional allure on display here is impressive. Unfortunately, the plot kind of stutters along, lots of made-up words to keep track off, and somehow, I felt both protagonists remain sort of blank - maybe because there is not much of a colourful supporting cast to bounce off of or because their backstories remain elusive.
What makes this a classic is it's pioneering character, being written in 1969. For the modern (feminist) reader, some of the questions and answers in here are already part of a past conversation.