Genly is an envoy who has traveled to a distant star system to spread humanity’s greatest gift, capitalism! On Gethen, Genly finds a race of ambisexual humans (meaning they are both male and female) that are not unfriendly, but not necessarily trusting either. What is on the surface a novel of political intrigue and a survival story, is actually a much deeper accounting of the human soul. Genly, like a lot of men, is casually misogynistic and finds the gender fluidity of this planets humans confusing and he struggles with the concept of them possessing both masculine and feminine characteristics. Sound familiar? Le Guin uses this alien world to pose the question, “What might humanity be like if we looked at things differently?” There’s no war or rape on Gethen. It’s a very touching story about understanding and acceptance, while at the same time being a gripping thriller. Le Guin’s themes run deep, and the details she provides her world make it feel as real as if it was just a plane ride away. She also recalls, through her beautiful prose, the turn of the century arctic adventures that were once as alien to us as her world is here. 

 

In today’s political climate, there’s no better time to read this book. No matter the motivations, it shows the power of an open mind and putting your trust in another. Beyond just a sci-fi classic, this is a standout in American literature.