Alex

This book uses the ‘first contact' genre (one of my favorites) with a totally opaque alien phenomenon to explore the themes of how opaque we are to ourselves and to others – and the price we pay as a result (other favorite themes of mine). There are downsides: it's dark, and features some bullshit sociobiology. Overall, though, I loved it.

This book takes a good story, elevates it to greatness through Stephenson’s imaginative GenX prose, and then lowers it down to goodness again with masses of technically precise, unneeded descriptions of every physical setting and action in the book. I like Stephenson as a writer, but rarely have I read a more accurate and less compelling depiction of gunplay. I’m sure trufans will enjoy, but if you’re seeking an entree to his work try a piece from earlier in his career like snowcrash or cryptonomicon.

I think I must have missed something, because this book is supposed to be a classic but I didn't care much for it at all. Yes, there big themes and deep issues a-plenty, but they are overshadowed by long, repetitive passages where the protagonist complains endlessly, wonder why they are complaining, claims it doesn't matter, dreams of getting drunk, complains endless, etc. etc. I think maybe I just didn't get it.

LeGuin's Taoist gem deserves all the accolades it has received. You will read it. Or you won't. 

Well written, but more about the authors macho  self fashioning than Indigenous culture and history. The philosophical notes which increasingly dominate in the second half are shocking and obviously ridiculous. Maybe back in the day people took him seriously?