My review of The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin (Book Depository, Powell’s Books, Indiebound) is live over at The SF and Fantasy Masterworks Reading Project. Below is a short excerpt.
So, does The Left Hand of Darkness stand up 40+ years later – emphatically, YES! This novel has a timeless feel about it and a wonderful subtly wrapped in important thoughts that are inherent to our society and species. We will always be a gendered society, but just what do these gender roles mean? And the dichotomies within can apply where they weren’t necessarily aimed – the Cold War of the planet Winter now reads much more like an interesting take on the differences between Democrats and Republicans in the US – and I’m sure that those from other places will find their own modern analogs if they wish. This book earns its write to be at or near the top of any ‘best of’ list and easily belongs in a series of Masterworks.Full Review
3 comments:
This is on my "to be read" shelf. I've been afraid to attack it because of the fact that it was published 40ish years ago. That's terrible, I know... I guess I was afraid of it being outdated, so I'm glad you addressed that in this post. I might have to pick it up from the library tonight.
When we originally were discussing the concept of the SF and Fantasy Masterworks blog, we discussed that an important part of each review should be how the book translates to present times.
Go get it - enjoy.
The Science Fiction Book Club will finally be reading Left Hand of Darkness as their February 2013 book and discussing it on two separate evenings.
Any and all are welcome!
http://www.sciencefictionbookclub.org/events/61923552/
http://www.sciencefictionbookclub.org/events/78131292/
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