Rocannon's World (Hardcover)

~ (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

This debut novel from preeminent science-fiction writer Ursula LeGuin introduces her brilliant Hainish series, set in a galaxy seeded by the planet Hain with a variety of humanoid species, including that of Earth. Over the centuries, the Hainish colonies have evolved into physically and culturally unique peoples, joined by a League of All Worlds.

Earth-scientist Rocannon has been leading an ethnological survey on a remote world populated by three native races: the cavern-dwelling Gdemiar, the elvish Fiia, and the warrior clan, Liuar. But when the technologically primitive planet is suddenly invaded by a fleet of ships from the stars, rebels against the League of All Worlds, Rocannon is the only survey member left alive. Marooned among alien peoples, he leads the battle to free this newly discovered world and finds that legends grow around him as he fights. --This text refers to the Audio Cassette edition.

About the Author

URSULA K. LE GUIN is widely recognized as one of the greatest science-fiction writers in the history of the genre. She has won both the Hugo and Nebula Awards on several occasions, as well as many other honors and prizes. --This text refers to the Audio Cassette edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 136 pages
• Publisher: Harpercollins; First Thus edition (April 1977)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060125683
• ISBN-13: 978-0060125684
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #2,593,053 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable tale, piqued my interest in reading more of the authors books, April 9, 2009

By	Jeffrey Van Wagoner (Gilbert, AZ USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Rocannon's World (Audio CD)

This is the first time I've read a book by Ursula K. Le Guin, and this happens to be the first book she wrote. Apparently she went on to have a very good career as a science fiction writer. This short novel was enough to interest me in reading more of her work.

The novel felt like a combination of fantasy and science fiction. The characters and situations were interesting, but not developed too deeply. This is what I expected of such a short novel. From the perspective of the variety of unique characters and the type of mission to save the world, I was reminded of an Egdar Rice Burroughs novel, only without so much violence and nudity. In contrast the main character was a more mature individual who accomplished his tasks with patience and brains, not brawn.

Overall I found the book to be worth my time. It was not great literature, but a good entertaining read. A comment on the audio book version narrated by Stefan Rudnicki; I would not recommend it due to some editing problems. There were at least two places where multiple paragraphs were repeated. Very annoying.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Lovely! An excellent book., March 23, 1999

By A Customer

A short summary:

The story is written from the perspective of Rocannon, an anthropologist, visiting and surveying a world of people with little technology. He discovers to his horror that this world has been chosen as a base for a rebellion against the League of All Worlds. With no way of contacting his own world, and all his colleagues dead, he decides to tackle the invaders himself.

I really enjoyed this book - what a pity it's out of print. It's short and easy to read, but very powerful. Le Guin has a distinctive writing style, beautiful but still very readable. She manages to convey information about the world and its many peoples and cultures with a few deft strokes, without resorting to heavy-handedness. At the same time Rocannon's character is revealed by his observations and reactions.

0 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not Free SF Reader, September 2, 2007

By	Blue Tyson "- Research Finished" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Rocannons World (Paperback)

A woman leaves a low tech spaceship to go into space to reclaim some valuables, not understanding the whole time dilation thing.

When she gets back, old age has done in the relatives. She meets a man named Rocannon, a human, and this odd planet with different races erupts into conflict.

They, of course, decide they like each other.