An engaging, deep and immersive read, which at times can be as hard to navigate as the planet Winter itself.
The Left Hand of Darkness is a book about balance, gender roles and what it is to be human. The book follows the adventures of Genly Ai, sent down as an Envoy to the planet Winter to recruit the natives into the Ekumen(an 83 World Collective).
The natives of Winter are of of neither sex until a short part of each cycle, where they enter into Kemmer and become male/female for the purposes of reproduction. This creates an interesting point of study for Genly, and Le guin looks at the role gender plays in the actions of humankind. One example is the natives of Winter have no word for War, for the citizens appear to not have the desires and passions of single gender humans. Taking this book in context I can see the issue of gender being an interesting comment on male and female roles, however looking at this book 40 years on these gender issues are less prominent in modern society.
The book is deep with political intrigue, the focus being on two main factions, the rough and ready Karhide, and the structured and controlling Orgoryn, two factions on the brink of war over contested land. The world itself is well imagined, and the book is deep with lore, myth and language which increases the readers immersion into her world.
The story itself is fast paced, and touches on what it is to be human, with many thought provoking points throughout the book. I found it difficult to navigate at times, with re-reading required once the density of alien terminology began to confuse the plot. On the whole I'd give the book 3.5/5, well worth a read for any Sci-Fi fan.
Read from April 20 to 26, 2012
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