A Nebula and Hugo Award-winning writer of science fiction presents a collection of essays that explores the various issues, concepts, challenges, and paradoxes that confront the science fiction writer.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
For Le Guin, writing science fiction or fantasy is an intuitive, self-exploratory act, an inner-space voyage in which she unearths dreams and archetypes that connect her with the outer world. In these conversational, feisty essays, an energizing mind trip for SF fans, she dissects her own fiction, discusses technique and explores the potential of SF and fantasy, which she considers different branches of the same form of writing. Most SF has been regressive and unimaginative, she argues, by portraying authoritarian dystopias instead of democratic socialist societies. She also berates the genre for its marginalization of women, both as fictional characters and as writers. This is essentially a reissue of a 1979 compilation that went out of print in 1982.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
From Library Journal
Originally published in 1979 ( LJ 5/1/79), revised in 1989 for British publication, and finally republished here in the revised edition, this work by one of fantasy and sf's greats is a welcome treat for anyone who loves words and stories. Le Guin ( Searoad: The Chronicles of Klatsand , HarperCollins, 1991) is as expert in creating mellifluous and enchanting essays as she is in creating the luscious and complex worlds of her fiction. Stylistically, she manages a balance between quasi-academic seriousness and conversational humor (a balance that original editor Susan Wood does not attain in her introductions). Despite being three to 13 years out of date, depending on the extent of revision, her comments on the state of the genre, the process of writing, and the influence of gender on literature are as fresh as ever. The book is dated only in its ratio of female to male writers of fantasy and sf, which is now closer than it was when Le Guin first wrote. Highly recommended for all literature and women's studies collections.
- Keith R.A. DeCan dido, "Library Journal"
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
- Keith R.A. DeCan dido, "Library Journal"
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Customer Reviews
“ As for the contents: Anyone with an interest in Science Fiction, Fantasy, writing, and gender identity should not miss reading Le Guin. ”
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I'll level with you - I actually prefer what LeGuin has to say ABOUT sci-fi and fantasy over her actual books - and there's several of her books I really enjoyed. Any serious reader or writer of these genres should read this collection of her essays. Not only will you find specific notes on her books, but precepts that form the very fabric of what we call sci-fi and fantasy today. LeGuin broke the barrier in several ways - this book will demonstrate how. I especially enjoyed "Why are Americans Afraid of Dragons?" The chapter on Mrs. Brown is highly valuable to consider when studying or writing character. Can you remember the names of the main characters a month after you finish a book? - A year? - Ten years? LeGuin tries to answer what makes character memorable - the reasons may perhaps surprise you. And fans of Tolkien will enjoy LeGuin's insight on the character of Frodo. LeGuin is intelligent but casual, often hilarious and always thought-provoking. An excellent collection.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Ursula Leguin's The Language of the Night is a must-read for anyone interested in writing fantasy. Her insights in "From Elfland to Poughkeepsie" on the importance of style in bringing a fantasy world to life provide a rare and perceptive analysis of what makes Tolkien and other greats stand out above the latest have-sword-will-travel.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Hardcover
This book is a must for anyone interested in the mechanics of Speculative Fiction. Ms. LeGuin's essays are insightful, critical and intelligent (as well as witty...but that's a given :). Excellent for anyone who believes that Speculative Fiction is more than just sorcery and robots; a good source for theses.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Quite good but a bit repetitive
The essays contained in the book were very interesting but a bit repetitive and it ended up being a bit tiresome.
Published 10 months ago by Lorena
5.0 out of 5 stars
From father to son
I first read this book when it came out in the late '70s--and a number of times since then. My copy is underlined and annotated to a great extent. Read more
Published on November 10, 2010 by CJTramontana
3.0 out of 5 stars
Good, but not what I expected
I've read about five books by Ursula K. Le Guin, and thought they were outstanding. Although perhaps not the most exciting books I've ever read, they were still . . . Read more
Published on July 28, 2002 by Coray
5.0 out of 5 stars
It led me to graduate school...
There's some substantial literary criticism here, and some scathing social commentary. I've taught the essay "Why Are Americans Afraid of Dragons" to undergraduates, and... Read more
Published on May 16, 2000 by "sherrian"
5.0 out of 5 stars
A must for all sci-fi fans
I was unaware this book was out of print. A new, revised edition was released in 1989, which included extensive footnotes by Le Guin, including an interesting redux of her essay,... Read more
Published on May 8, 2000 by gcameron
5.0 out of 5 stars
Illuminating
I love all of le Guin's work, and this collection of essays is particularly illuminating. In them you find a staunch defence of the imagination and its products, a fascinating... Read more
Published on May 3, 2000 by Jasper Thornton
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