I mentioned on my other blog, that I was about half-way through the book when Ursula Le Guin died. I stopped reading the essays for a while, but have returned to them, reading one or more every day or so. Some essays are light and charming--there are several dealing with her new kitten and his personality.
However, her thoughtful commentary about aging, literature, men and women, the environment, capitalism, advertising/propaganda, and politics--these are the essays that engage me. They make me think and question. They require some time spent reflecting or ruminating and probably require more than one reading.
Le Guin's place in the world of speculative fiction is unquestioned; her works are classics that have won award after award and have influenced many other writers of science fiction and fantasy. About her fiction, Le Guin once said something to the effect that entertainment if well and good, but "does it make them think?" I've certainly been thinking about her nonfiction essays.
NetGalley/Houghton, Mifflin, Harcourt
Nonfiction. Essays. December, 2017. Print length: 215 pages.
Because I don't read too many books in the speculative fiction genre I haven't had a chance to read Le Guin but she's definitely a writer I feel I must read. Maybe these essays would be a good start!
ReplyDeleteI do read in that genre, but I have never read her science fiction or fantasy. I need to correct that!
DeleteI had not heard of this, but I would like to. Le Guin is a legend and trailblazer. I had been sad to hear about her death.
ReplyDeleteShe really is a legend, and I've enjoyed the essays! It is interesting how well I know the titles of so many of her books...and have never read one.
DeleteI want to check this out! She had amazing thoughts.
ReplyDeleteIt really has been interesting reading!
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