50TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION—WITH A NEW INTRODUCTION BY DAVID MITCHELL AND A NEW AFTERWORD BY CHARLIE JANE ANDERSUrsula K. Le Guin’s groundbreaking work of science fiction—winner of the Hugo and Nebula Awards.A lone human ambassador is sent to the icebound planet of Winter, a world without sexual prejudice, where the inhabitants’ gender is fluid. His goal is to facilitate Winter’s inclusion in a … Winter’s inclusion in a growing intergalactic civilization. But to do so he must bridge the gulf between his own views and those of the strange, intriguing culture he encounters…
Embracing the aspects of psychology, society, and human emotion on an alien world, The Left Hand of Darkness stands as a landmark achievement in the annals of intellectual science fiction.
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I Love love scifi. And this story is the most wonderful. It has it all – far away planet, interesting aliens, remarkably complex society, and amazing characters that moved me to want to read this story over and over again.
If you’re a sci-fi fan this is a must read. Le Guin is a master at world building. And what if a society operated without gender stereotypes. . . make for interesting reading.
Ms Le Guin is a masterful writer. This is my 4 th or 5th re-read of this, and each reading has been a joy.
Clearly very anthropologically informed while remaining wonderful as a story and a thought experiment.
Read it many years ago. Creates an unusual world that reflects prejudice in our own.
Le Guin is a great writer. The science part of the fiction isn’t delved into but the ideas posed by the writer are incisive.
Le Guin is one of the finest writers of the past 50 years, and this remains, in my opinion, her greatest work.
One of my favorite books. Imagine a society that is not defined by gender where once every cycle a being can choose to be either gender and may have the experience during their lives of both carrying and giving birth to a child as well as “fathering” children. I would imagine that such a world would be without war but not so. LeGuin’s explorations of gender bending topics have produced many fabulous works but this is the “Shining Jewel” among them – truly deserving of both the Hugo and Nebula Awards.
Classic Ursala Le Guin. Great read!
A powerful book that resonates with tales of a journey and gender identity and attraction.
The Left Hand of Darkness is a fascinating look at another culture where people are not divided by sex. LofD is a great science fiction novel. LofD was written by one of the greatest sci fi writers of all time. Enjoy the ride. Think about the message. It is very cogent again.
Classic Fantasy/Sci Fi
I read this in college back in the 70’s and was blown away by it. I just read it again and it was just as powerful as it was in my youth. The term mind blowing should be reserved for the very few books, like this one, that the term actually fits
Being interested in the role of gender and sex in culture and interpersonal relationships, I found the brilliant proposition of a hominid species that changes sex and gender interesting.
Like the way she develops the story line.
On of the great classics of science fiction. Anyone who claims to disdain science fiction has never read this book. A brilliantly written tragedy, Leguin builds a most unlikely world, peopled by strange but familiar characters and tells the story of a most original hero.
Have read many times always enjoy.Very unique. I have always remembered this book.
A classic that is in many ways prescient. A must-read for any science fiction fan.
Le Guin explores sexual identity, how extraterrestrials live differently, and the endurance of her characters. Unlike other books, and makes you think.
Don’t miss this one!