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The Left Hand of Darkness

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The Left Hand of Darkness

By: Ursula K. Le Guin
Narrated by: George Guidall
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About this listen

Winner of the Hugo and Nebula Awards.

A groundbreaking work of science fiction, The Left Hand of Darkness tells the story of a lone human emissary to Winter, an alien world whose inhabitants can change their gender. His goal is to facilitate Winter's inclusion in a growing intergalactic civilization. But to do so he must bridge the gulf between his own views and those of the completely dissimilar culture that he encounters. Embracing the aspects of psychology, society, and human emotion on an alien world, The Left Hand of Darkness stands as a landmark achievement in the annals of intellectual science fiction.

©1969 Ursula K. Le Guin (P)2016 Recorded Books Classics Epic Fantasy Fiction First Contact Science Fiction Epic Fantasy Winter
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The story pushes through abstractions like technology and biology to assert, in the midst of a strange world with strange, (almost) sexless people to tell a tale of love and friendship between two humans as different from each other as it is possible to be a still be human.

A beautiful love story on another world

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loved this story. well told. an interesting look into the issues of patriotism. get it.

a fantastic story by one of the greats

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A lovely story, kind, dark, lively, and interesting. I recommend catching the vocab, as it was tricky at times.

Quite different than a space opera, but great

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The reader takes a little bit of getting used to. However, the story is rich and full of psychological and political insights of an alternative world and society.

Well written interesting concepts with an average reader

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Unfortunately I found the narration style too flat and my brain found it too difficult to follow along. I ended up not finishing this book, which is a shame because i’ve heard great reviews of the story itself.

Narration Too Flat

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Very deep into the book I realised the narrator switched characters and there had been no indication of the switch so I wasn’t properly following what was happening, and having to guess based on the story. I recall another section like that, but wonder if I’ve missed previous changed characters. I’ve found the entire thing hard to follow. Narrator has a soothing voice, but sounds too old for the main character’s voice and very breathy. I’ve made up my mind to get a hard copy and try again.

Best get the book. Narration hard to follow

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Intelligent rendering of character psychology and a facility with language that contrasts with the cardboard prose of much recent SF.

Still relevant SF

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What a journey this novel was. I felt so immersed in the story and characters. The level of detail is neither lacking or excruciating and truly serves as a treat for the listener.

Beautiful story

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What an incredible novel. A complex and tender exploration into gender roles, a road trip novel, conceptually tight Sci Fi and wonderful character development makes this an outstanding aesthetic achievement!

Wow!

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The narration of this is criminal. It's impossible to listen as the narrator is just reading words and doesn't seem to understand what he is reading. I've found a more recent recording that is far superior.

Terrible narration, could not finish, found better version

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