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jesskb's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.5
I've been recommending this short story collection to family and friends for a while now and am so excited that it's finally available in print form. With all the hallmarks of Le Guin's usual style - rich and highly imaginative concepts with a deeply human touch - these are stories made to haunt; stories that will continue echoing in the mind long after the final pages. These are stories about story, exploring the nature of reality and the strange solitude of human experience. These are also stories about distance, and how emotional and physical distance can intertwine or oppose one another from one moment to the next. Beautiful and fascinating in equal measure, each and every story in this collection is thoroughly enjoyable, but I have a particular soft spot for the final 3: The Shobies' Story, Dancing to Ganam, and Another Story or A Fisherman of the Inland Sea.
samjonester's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
claudiuo's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
4.5
nuthatch's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed the first stories in this book but Le Guin lost me on "The Shobies' Story." I can read SF as long as there are some actual human characters in the story. I just can't relate to totally invented worlds.
bluestarfish's review against another edition
It was lovely to read these again. And this time I understood the references to the Cetians and Shevek.
shoosha's review against another edition
5.0
This was amazing!! Lovely, entwined, queer-centric, science fiction that has been sticking with me long after finishing. In fact I read a couple of the stories again after finishing it because I loved them so much! Highly recommend this collection of short stories!!!!
Update: I bought this one and it's my bedside book, for when I just want a quick read of a short story I can love!
Update: I bought this one and it's my bedside book, for when I just want a quick read of a short story I can love!
daemo's review against another edition
5.0
I love her clear and lyrical writing style. This collection has several different stories and kinds of stories, but they all touch on different cultures and how we interact with our own and other's.
ejjay7's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
5.0
Cried after 15 pages, has to be a record for me. Themes of home, belonging, adventure, yearning, aging, relationships, space and time travel, all in a very solar punk optimistic future
maenad_wordsmith's review against another edition
This is the 16th book I've read by Ursula Le Guin, and I'm not sure how I will feel when I've read all of her published works. She is so prolific that it will be a while until that day comes, thankfully.
This is a beautiful collection of short stories--Le Guin remains my favorite author.
This is a beautiful collection of short stories--Le Guin remains my favorite author.
bookishgoblin's review against another edition
5.0
Le Guin is probably the sole reason for my existence. Every single story in this collection was pure gold, I loved the way the last three linked up. I live and breathe for short stories all winding together and overlapping. Any SF fan should read this, honestly, Le Guin is a master of writing, she deserves every award.