The Left Hand of Darkness (Signed Copy)

Le Guin, Ursula K.

ISBN 10: 0060125748 / ISBN 13: 9780060125745

Published by Harpercollins, 1980

About this Item

First Edition Thus/First Printing with the complete number line; A Near Fine book in a Near Fine dust jacket with only light rubbing to the jacket edges, mild sunning to the board edges, a tiny closed tear to the spine foot, and a small stain to the front free paper. SIGNED by the author to the title page. An outstanding copy of this novel, this copy being the 1980 reprint edition (originally published in 1969); winner of both the Hugo and the Nebula, now a classic of Science Fiction; uncommon signed. Not remaindered, not price clipped, not ex-library; in a protective Mylar sleeve and will ship securely wrapped in a sturdy box.

Seller Inventory # 3997

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The Left Hand of Darkness (Signed Copy)
• Publisher: Harpercollins
• Publication Date: 1980
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0060125748
• ISBN 13: 9780060125745
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition: 1st Edition
• Condition: Near Fine
• Dust Jacket Condition: Near Fine
• Signed: Signed by Author(s)
• Seller catalogs:
  • Award Winners
  • Science Fiction

About this title

Synopsis

While on a mission to the planet Gethen, earthling Genly Ai is sent by leaders of the nation of Orgoreyn to a concentration camp from which the exiled prime minister of the nation of Karhide tries to rescue him

Review

Genly Ai is an emissary from the human galaxy to Winter, a lost, stray world. His mission is to bring the planet back into the fold of an evolving galactic civilization, but to do so he must bridge the gulf between his own culture and prejudices and those that he encounters. On a planet where people are of no gender--or both--this is a broad gulf indeed. The inventiveness and delicacy with which Le Guin portrays her alien world are not only unusual and inspiring, they are fundamental to almost all decent science fiction that has been written since. In fact, reading Le Guin again may cause the eye to narrow somewhat disapprovingly at the younger generation: what new ground are they breaking that is not already explored here with greater skill and acumen? It cannot be said, however, that this is a rollicking good story. Le Guin takes a lot of time to explore her characters, the world of her creation, and the philosophical themes that arise.

If there were a canon of classic science fiction, The Left Hand of Darkness would be included without debate. Certainly, no science fiction bookshelf may be said to be complete without it. But the real question: is it fun to read? It is science fiction of an earlier time, a time that has not worn particularly well in the genre. The Left Hand of Darkness was a groundbreaking book in 1969, a time when, like the rest of the arts, science fiction was awakening to new dimensions in both society and literature. But the first excursions out of the pulp tradition are sometimes difficult to reread with much enjoyment. Rereading The Left Hand of Darkness, decades after its publication, one feels that those who chose it for the Hugo and Nebula awards were right to do so, for it truly does stand out as one of the great books of that era. It is immensely rich in timeless wisdom and insight.

The Left Hand of Darkness is science fiction for the thinking reader, and should be read attentively in order to properly savor the depth of insight and the subtleties of plot and character. It is one of those pleasures that requires a little investment at the beginning, but pays back tenfold with the joy of raw imagination that resonates through the subsequent 30 years of science fiction storytelling. Not only is the bookshelf incomplete without owning it, so is the reader without having read it. --L. Blunt Jackson