carlin
Le Guin is such a master
Of course this book lives up to its reputation — I want to read more about it, I want to re-read several chapters, I want to read fan-fiction about it and I want to discuss it with my book club tomorrow!
Naturally this is front loaded with hard sci-fi concepts which make the first five or so chapters quite a steep undertaking. I chose to mostly be confused, and supplementing my knowledge with quick references to Wikipedia, which was largely successful, with great help from Le Guin who continually has helping hands to make sure that you have a well-formed view. And most importantly, it is worth it as she tells not only a good story, but an entertaining one in the world that she has created.
It goes without saying that the gender stuff is compelling, and I can't be the only one who wanted more details and dynamics. It is very thought provoking and I wonder if they've ever published this with female pronouns for the Gethians? I think non-binary pronouns are "correct" but I think it's an important choice to give them binary pronouns as we are seeing them via Genly's eyes (Ais?). As an aside this must hit soo hard if you're gender fluid
Conceptually I wasn't that interested in the Hainish cycle but it's pulling me in
P.S I love the term gichy-michy so much. It doesn't sound appealing but I want it. P.P.S I had to rewrite this review bc of a Hardcover bug >:( reported it on the discord
--- spoilers ---
ougghhhh :( that ending. I need a moment... In the grand scheme of things it is a happy ending, but on the personal level it's so bittersweet. Even regardless of my feeling that it's very well done in contrasting the two, I think that it is the better ending as we're already told the result of the Ekumen <-> Gethen relationship via the prophecy half way through
Le Guin is such a master
Of course this book lives up to its reputation — I want to read more about it, I want to re-read several chapters, I want to read fan-fiction about it and I want to discuss it with my book club tomorrow!
Naturally this is front loaded with hard sci-fi concepts which make the first five or so chapters quite a steep undertaking. I chose to mostly be confused, and supplementing my knowledge with quick references to Wikipedia, which was largely successful, with great help from Le Guin who continually has helping hands to make sure that you have a well-formed view. And most importantly, it is worth it as she tells not only a good story, but an entertaining one in the world that she has created.
It goes without saying that the gender stuff is compelling, and I can't be the only one who wanted more details and dynamics. It is very thought provoking and I wonder if they've ever published this with female pronouns for the Gethians? I think non-binary pronouns are "correct" but I think it's an important choice to give them binary pronouns as we are seeing them via Genly's eyes (Ais?). As an aside this must hit soo hard if you're gender fluid
Conceptually I wasn't that interested in the Hainish cycle but it's pulling me in
P.S I love the term gichy-michy so much. It doesn't sound appealing but I want it. P.P.S I had to rewrite this review bc of a Hardcover bug >:( reported it on the discord
--- spoilers ---
ougghhhh :( that ending. I need a moment... In the grand scheme of things it is a happy ending, but on the personal level it's so bittersweet. Even regardless of my feeling that it's very well done in contrasting the two, I think that it is the better ending as we're already told the result of the Ekumen <-> Gethen relationship via the prophecy half way through