The Left Hand of Darkness
{5/5} “He brings from his people offers of communication, trade, treaty, and alliance, nothing else. He came alone, without arms or defense, with nothing but a communicating device, and his ship, which he allowed us to examine completely. He is not to be feared, I think. Yet he brings the end of Kingdom and Commensalities with him in his empty hands.”
The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin, published in 1969
Genly Ai, envoy from the Ekumen, has been on Gethen for some months. On the day before his audience with the king of Karhide, his acquaintance Estroven warns him that some people in favour with the king aren’t in favour of Ai. When Ai is in the place waiting for the king he hears on the radio that Estroven has been banished for treason. Ai is used to dealing with people who are either men or women, but that’s not how it is on Gethen.
It’s about how an envoy from 80 worlds might still have things to learn. It’s about gradual understanding of a world — and a person. It’s about what kinds of things would be different on a cold world, and on a world where people only become male or female once a month.
We get chapters from the point of view of Estraven as well as Ai. Both characters are remarkable.
This is the 2nd time I’ve read it.
I’ve read 20 of Le Guin’s books. I previously reviewed The Dispossessed.