The Left Hand of Darkness

Books | Fiction / Science Fiction / General

4.2

(1.4K)

Ursula K. Le Guin

A deluxe hardcover edition of the queen of science fiction’s trailblazing novel about a planet full of genderless beings—part of Penguin Galaxy, a collectible series of six sci-fi/fantasy classics, featuring a series introduction by Neil GaimanWinner of the AIGA + Design Observer 50 Books | 50 Covers competition A groundbreaking work of science fiction, The Left Hand of Darkness tells the story of a lone human emissary’s mission to Winter, an unknown alien world whose inhabitants can choose—and change—their gender. His goal is to facilitate 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 completely dissimilar culture that he encounters. Exploring questions of psychology, society, and human emotion in an alien world, The Left Hand of Darkness stands as a landmark achievement in the annals of science fiction.Penguin Galaxy Six of our greatest masterworks of science fiction and fantasy, in dazzling collector-worthy hardcover editions, and featuring a series introduction by #1 New York Times bestselling author Neil Gaiman, Penguin Galaxy represents a constellation of achievement in visionary fiction, lighting the way toward our knowledge of the universe, and of ourselves. From historical legends to mythic futures, monuments of world-building to mind-bending dystopias, these touchstones of human invention and storytelling ingenuity have transported millions of readers to distant realms, and will continue for generations to chart the frontiers of the imagination. The Once and Future King by T. H. White Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert A. Heinlein Dune by Frank Herbert 2001: A Space Odyssey by Arthur C. Clarke The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin Neuromancer by William Gibson For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,700 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators.

Fantasy

Science Fiction

Buy now:

More Details:

Author

Ursula K. Le Guin

Pages

288

Publisher

Penguin

Published Date

2016-10-25

ISBN

0143111590 9780143111597

Ratings

Google: 4

Community ReviewsSee all

"One of the best books by my favorite author. Unique, unexpected, heartbreaking"

C D

C D Stallcup

"Le Guin's worlds always feel real and grounded no matter how removed they feel from our own experiences. Winter is no different. Through the prejudiced eyes of Genly Ai, we explore the alien culture of the Gethenians. On the reverse, we see the foreign and absurd in our own existence through the voice of Estraven. It's a delicate balance that le Guin does well. A high-stakes reminder that, no matter where we're from or how we live, people are inherently people in the end."

Levatín Cabrera

"Fascinating exploration into what could be different if gender was simply not a concept in human society. I'd love to live in a world where no one is shamed for their sexuality or lack thereof. Sign me up. Only criticisms are that it drags quite a bit around the third quarter and that there are some pretty dated descriptions of male vs female characteristics (for example a quote: "no girl could keep so grim a silence as he did") but I'll give Le Guin a break since she wrote this in the 60s."

dunecello

"“It is a terrible thing, this kindess that human beings do not lose. Terrible, because when we are finally naked in the dark and cold, it is all we have. We who are so rich, so full of strength, we end up with that small change. We have nothing else to give.”"

Regina Simmons

"This is really a fantastic book and 50 years later it’s still current, and still thought provoking. Le Guin understands what cultures are made up of and utterly convinces the reader that the world is real. The characters and their relationships remain heartwarming, and become more so as the circumstances become more dire. Even if you don’t like sci-fi this is a good read, and if you do, it’s a better read."

Markus Meyer

"heard about this book on the radio when Ursula K. Le Guin died in early 2018. I borrowed it from my hs later in the year and spent like 5 months slogging though it; while that's 4.8 months longer than it usually takes me to read a book, it was the most worthwhile thing I've maybe ever done. the politics are a main attraction and balance very well with the folklore & other types of worldbuilding to effectively tackle themes about knowledge, trust, and the human capacity for belief, among others!"

rhiannon

"This was the book that got me obsessed with Le Guin’s work. I had read a couple of her short stories before but this book was so incredible and uniquely Le Guin that I had to read through everything of hers that I could get my hands on. A well-crafted, believable world with rich characters and story that is worth reading and rereading. "

Rachael Wilson

"I have yet to finish this book, and I think I may never finish it. I stopped in chapter 12. I hope to pick it up and finish it some day. "

Cheyenne Corty

"A classic, feminist sci-fi in which gender, sexuality, and love, all exist freely on a spectrum. A strong read, heavy with world building, and often requiring one to keep notes in the margins to remember who is who in the political games and whose trying to kill whom in said games. A true classic. Absolutely worth reading."