[Aptorian]

Tomorrow begins the second week of our three week read of Ursula K LeGuin's The Left Hand of Darkness.

This week we'll be reading from roughly pages 100-200 or what ever fits your chapter breaks.

As always let's be careful of spoilers and keep the discussion on this week's content or what we read last week.

[Tiste Simeon]

I am loving all the interim chapters that go into more explanation surrounding the world and the people and their unique geography. Fascinating stuff.

Also these might be spoilers so proceed with caution:

I'm seeing a lot about how this book is a commentary on gender and sexuality but the parts in the other country seem more of a critique of communism and totalitarian governments in general.

[Whisperzzzzzzz]

Tiste Simeon, on 06 October 2019 - 06:34 PM, said:

I am loving all the interim chapters that go into more explanation surrounding the world and the people and their unique geography. Fascinating stuff.

Also these might be spoilers so proceed with caution:

I'm seeing a lot about how this book is a commentary on gender and sexuality but the parts in the other country seem more of a critique of communism and totalitarian governments in general.

The great thing about Le Guin in Left Hand, The Dispossessed, and Planet Of Exile (and other works) is that she doesn't do a single-sided critique. There always another hand and a gripping hand. In this book, she critiques all the nations: Orgoreyn, Karhide, and even — from the Gethen perspective — the League Of All Worlds.

She doesn't push an agenda. She's truly exploratory.

This post has been edited by Whisperzzzzzzz: 07 October 2019 - 01:40 AM

[Andorion]

Whisperzzzzzzz, on 07 October 2019 - 01:39 AM, said:

Tiste Simeon, on 06 October 2019 - 06:34 PM, said:

I am loving all the interim chapters that go into more explanation surrounding the world and the people and their unique geography. Fascinating stuff.

Also these might be spoilers so proceed with caution:

I'm seeing a lot about how this book is a commentary on gender and sexuality but the parts in the other country seem more of a critique of communism and totalitarian governments in general.

The great thing about Le Guin in Left Hand, The Dispossessed, and Planet Of Exile (and other works) is that she doesn't do a single-sided critique. There always another hand and a gripping hand. In this book, she critiques all the nations: Orgoreyn, Karhide, and even — from the Gethen perspective — the League Of All Worlds.

She doesn't push an agenda. She's truly exploratory.

I love those little story digressions as well.
When reading this book, I can't help but think of how restrained the intervention of the Ekumen is. These worlds are hopelessly primitive by their standards but their quiet patient approach is remarkable.