The Left Hand Of Darkness
The Left Hand Of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin
Set on a world of ice and snow Ursula K. Le Guin’s The Left Hand of Darkness is an intriguing political sci-fi drama, that turns into a wild travel book during the second half. It’s atmospheric and tense, with plenty to say on gender fluidity, patriotism, and the cautions of progress.
Genly Ai has arrived from out of space on a peaceful mission to integrate the population of Winter (Gethen) into the growing network of planets that’s forming in the system. He is offering the chance to be a part of something bigger, and increase Gethen ability to trade, along with bringing them potentially into the space age. However, some are wary on the planet not only of Genly legimatacy, but whether the proposal is in the planets best interest. Things are complicated further for Genly when his only real ally Estraven is cast out of the capital as a traitor, losing his political clout.
The Left Hand of Darkness took a little while to get going for me, but the more I understood the political tension of the neighbouring regions and the sexual complications of their culture and androgynous state the more I got into the story. What was a little dry to begin with suddenly became more relevant as the politics became more dangerous for our hero.
It’s not an action packed book, and baring maybe the prison breakout is rather slow going as a whole, but that’s not to its detriment. It’s not meant to be a million miles an hour as you soak in the daunting environment and back stabbing politics.
War isn’t a thing on Winter, yet they put people in positions to die so easily. Fear and paranoia is everywhere. Lies are spreading across the radio from region to region. Trust is hard to earn, even by those being the most truthful. There really is a lot going on under the hood.
And beneath it all is a story of love and friendship as Genly and Estraven grow closer on their travels. Trust between the pair grows, and maybe even a little more than that as the two brave the stark weather, plummeting temperatures and complex political landscape, all while the differing sexual cycle on Gethen plays its part.
The Left Hand of Darkness is considered a classic, and has enough subtext to see it banned apparently in several states across the decades. It’s a slow burn, but for good reason. It’s a carefully crafted story with interesting characters who are always evolving. Not the easiest read, especially with the alternating points of view, but definitely one I'd recommend if you don’t need your books to be immediate page turners and love classic Sci-Fi Novels.
