Reviews

I don't know if this is at least partly an effect of reading the book in my second language but for me each short story was like a perfect puzzle. Each new one intrigued but to some extent equally confused me and figuring out what was happening brought me a lot of satisfaction and joy. And once I 'solved' a story it was already wrapping up and gifting me the next one.
There is a big shift between the first half and the second half of the book and I must say at first I was unsure of what to make of it. But the longer, somewhat connected 'hainish' stories are equally thought-provoking and joyful as the earlier ones.

bluejay21's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging hopeful reflective medium-paced

Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

sinead_price's review against another edition

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adventurous hopeful mysterious reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

edurnehaeon's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

i saw some people say this is a good book to start the hain cycle but i really enjoyed reading it after having already learnt about anarres, shevek gethen, hain... it's so pleasant to have all these cultures mixed together

forgpnod's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective relaxing sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

hoooooooly shit how do I sum up this book.
ursula le guin is a genius and I have no more to add. I'll add separate ratings for each individual story but im genuinely so blown away I cant write any more thoughts atm. maybe later.
1= 3.75/5
2=4.5/5
3=3.75/5
4=4.75/5
5=3.75/5
6=4.25/5
7=4.5/5
8=5/5

erinlcrane's review against another edition

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4.0

I read the titular story and Dancing to Ganam. I had already read the Shobies’ Story. I’m reading a 2 volume set of Le Guin’s Hainish Cycle, but I’m trying to mark what I’ve read along the way.

I enjoyed both stories. Le Guin uses sci-fi to explore our humanity and possible alternative ways of life.

Dancing to Ganam really struck me with this idea of how our perspective gets warped, quite literally in the case of the story. How it’s hard for us to objectively observe anything because we often want to interpret it a certain way.

Fisherman of the Inland Sea was yet another look at another type of society! And the dangers of human arrogance, I suppose. The unforeseen consequences of this desire for knowledge and discovery at whatever cost.

Always a thoughtful and experience reading Le Guin!

indy_oc's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging inspiring medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

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