I had the pleasure of hearing her speak many decades ago, in '71 I think. She took questions from the audience after, and I asked her why, in her book "Left Hand of Darkness" she had one of the main characters killed. She smiled indulgently at the 23 year old and said "It's just what happened."
I've re-read the book recently, and it's amazing just how current it is, and how relevant it is to conversations we're having about gender and sexuality. There has not been another book that even approached the subject with the acumen that she brought to her craft.
OMG, another book I must re-read. I'm enjoying finding old titles in new places. I also need to get a book case, or succumb to downloading to my tablet, which is not to a book like paper is. I only remember the person with the most name to pronounce was killed on a glacier. Keep warm.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tip. I was unaware of the book.
ReplyDeleteIt's a thoughtful read, Tom. It could have been written yesterday.
DeleteI have always been a fan of this genre and never read her work. Shame on me, but lucky me to have a new collection to peruse.
ReplyDeleteI encourage you to read all her works, her essays and stories.
DeleteI sold a lot of copies of this book when I had my bookstore but it's not my genre so I've never read it either.
ReplyDeleteThat's the kicker about this book, it defies 'genre'.
DeleteShe will always be a treasure.
ReplyDeleteNo doubt I switched from novels and science fiction too soon in the sixties as history and biography became readable and accessible and well written. I taught a class to seniors based on Tofflers Future Shock. Obviously I missed reading a women "who was ahead of her time. Thanks for the heads up, Mike. :)
ReplyDeleteHope you and the missus are doing well, Ray.
DeleteI still treasure the words of encouragement she wrote to me years ago after I'd sent her a copy of my storybook 'baby days'.
ReplyDeleteI'd like to hear more about this, Susan. Please.
DeleteIt's not a fabulous tale of how Ursula LeGuin made me famous, Mike, but it was very nice. Jer and I had arrived in Portland in 1993 just as she and her friend, a local photographer, published a book called 'Moon Over Thurman St.' - photographs and handwritten poems by Ms. LeGuin about the street where both of them had lived for many years. Already a fan of her work I bought this lovely book and found her address (I already had a big hint). So I sent her the book and a stamped self-addressed envelope (remember those?) with a note asking her to sign my copy. Before I sealed the package I enclosed a copy of 'baby days' (a very sentimental remembrance). Ursula LeGuin, the famous author, returned an autographed copy of 'Thurman St.' and kept my little story.
Deleteps: Here is a link to 'baby days'
Delete:)
Charming lacks by a mile how wonderful I think your story 'Baby Days' encapsulates the wonder that children are capable of; and that we adults lose most often. It reminded me of "Goodnight Moon" and of course 'Winken, Blinkin and Nod...'
DeleteThank you for sending me the link.
Huge fangirl of this amazing woman. Love her poetry too. Must re-read. You're right Mike, she never grows old.
ReplyDeleteXO
WWW
I've not read, or even heard of this book. Maybe I'll give it a read (if I can find it).
ReplyDelete