Genre
Social science fiction
The Left Hand of Darkness
A quiet science-fiction masterpiece about otherness and trust.
Details
Subgenre
Gender and diplomacy novel
Original publication
1969
Original publisher
Ace Books
Pages
304
Format
Paperback, hardcover and ebook editions
Language
English
Setting
The planet Gethen
ISBN
9780441478125
Original title
The Left Hand of Darkness
About the book
An envoy tries to understand a winter planet whose people complicate his assumptions about gender, loyalty and politics.
A brilliant fit for readers asking for thoughtful science fiction, gender, culture, diplomacy and alien societies.
Le Guin uses worldbuilding as anthropology, making climate, politics and gender part of one imaginative system.
It suits readers who want speculative fiction that is contemplative, humane and intellectually rich.
Recognition
- Hugo Award for Best Novel, 1970
- Nebula Award for Best Novel, 1969
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