The first few novellas not quite up to le Guin's standards, or rather they are not lengthy enough to develop the story in the way I find to be the author's main strength. Towards the end the stories gather some continuity, culminating in the book's namesake story that is undoubtedly the best of the book. It may have been thoroughly enjoyable as a full-length novel, had it been extended, though it benefits from having read the previous novellas. All in all not bad with some very enjoyable moments, but I still find le Guin to be at her best with longer stories and more fully developed characters and worlds.