In many ways a more conventional book than The Left Hand of Darkness, this is a great novel on many levels. The conventional story of a man's emotional and intellectual growth becomes enlarged and illuminated when set against questions like 'what kind of society should we live in?' and 'how do I balance my private and public responsibilities?'. I loved Le Guin's depiction of an 'ideal' society with its flaws as well as its great benefits. I wasn't as moved as I was by LHD but it's a great book all the same.