I have come to the phase in my life where I am able to put a book down if it doesn’t do anything for me. I’ve realized that I might miss a really good book if I waste my time with a less than stellar one. But if I have committed to reading something — by taking a class, by joining a book discussion group, by agreeing to a read-along — I do my best to finish a book even if I don’t like it.
I’m involved in a genre study program with the Adult Reading Round Table focused on speculative fiction; that is, science fiction, fantasy, and horror. None of these genres are what I usually read, though I have more working knowledge of fantasy (thanks Tolkien, Lewis, and Rowling) than the other two. I signed up for this training because if I am committed to reader’s advisory in the library I must be at least somewhat familiar with what patrons are reading and not just what I like to read.
Our first science fiction assignment is The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin. I must admit that several times in the first 150 pages I almost quit. The world-building on the planet Winter is done well. Not only is the environment well imagined, but the characters are unique — each character is BOTH male and female and cycles into a full gendered being monthly and then returns to a neutered state. The central character, Genly Ai, can best be described as an envoy from an intergalactic UN and comes from a planet that could be Earth. After a year on Winter, Genly’s plans for planetary cooperation are foiled by both countries on Winter.
In telling this story, Le Guin uses mostly first person narration, but changes narrators without warning and I had a difficult time knowing who was speaking. She also throws in myths of these people and history of their civilization intermittently. I had real trouble following the plot line. And then, about 100 pages from the end, the story gets focused on Genly and his sole companion on a journey. Finally I got into this story as I watched them work together and help each other survive.
Based on the recommendation of the ARRT leaders and the numerous awards won by this book, I didn’t give up and actually had a good experience with science fiction. Philip K. Dick is the next author and I hope his books will be as rewarding as Le Guin’s.
Scrambled Books 