Dancing with Dragons: Ursula K. LeGuin and the Critics (Literary Criticism in Perspective) [Hardcover]

Donna R. White (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 8, 1999 | ISBN-10: 1571130349 | ISBN-13: 978-1571130341

Ursula K. Le Guin began to provoke attention in the late 1960s with the publication of A Wizard of Earthsea (1968) and The Left Hand of Darkness (1969). The former, a young adult fantasy, established Le Guin as America's foremost contemporary fantasist, a reputation which continues to this day. Both books started Le Guin on the road to being one of the most award-winning writers in America, as author of realistic fiction, historical fiction, children's literature, fantasy, poetry, reviews, and critical essays. The moral force and stylistic sophistication of Le Guin's work demand a critical reponse that reviewers and scholars have been quick to provide. As an academically trained critic in her own right, Le Guin has never shied from critical confrontation, though preferring discussion to warfare. For thirty years, she has maintained a dialogue with her critics, exploring with them her changing views on feminism, environmentalism, and utopia. Dancing with Dragons/ brings together for the first time the various strands of Le Guin criticism to show how the author's dialogue with the critics has informed and influenced her work and her own critical stance, and explores how her reputation as a major voice in American letters has developed. Professor DONNA WHITE teaches at Clemson University.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'This survey of the field of Le Guin criticism by specialists in both science fiction and children's literature is amazingly complete.' SCIENCE FICTION RESEARCH REVIEW 'Because of White's broad perspective and acute awareness of critical niches, she is able to show us exactly how wide-ranging Le Guin's work really is.' SCIENCE FICTION STUDIES

Product Details

• Hardcover: 200 pages
• Publisher: Camden House (March 8, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1571130349
• ISBN-13: 978-1571130341
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 6.8 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,372,454 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Good Read for Anybody Interested in Le Guins Literature, May 3, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Dancing with Dragons: Ursula K. LeGuin and the Critics (Literary Criticism in Perspective) (Hardcover)

If you are a reader of Ursula K. Le Guin's books, storys or poetry, and especially if you are planning on writing an essay, book or dissertation on LeGuin's literature, this book is for you. I found this book in the university library and I thought it would just be another mediocre book on Le Guin's work, but I was mistaken. Dr. White leaves no stone unturned when coming to literary criticism written about that wonderful and one-of-a-kind writer of fantasy and SF. I didn't realize how ignorant I was before reading this book. Thank you Dr. White, this book will no doubt help me when writing my own dissertation.