Ursula Le Guin is a writer that I’ve always meant to read, and I have always felt guilty that I haven’t read her. For years I avoided her because I thought I didn’t like science fiction or fantasy, but I know now that this isn’t true. Then it was just a question of getting around to her, and figuring out what to read first, but I stumbled on that part, too. I was interested in trying her fantasy series, but was put off by the idea that the first book in that series, A Wizard of Earthsea, is considered by many to be a young adult novel. I’ve come up with equally stupid reasons for avoiding the science fiction series – the first books were written in the 1960’s and I was afraid they would be dated. What, exactly, is my problem? Maybe I’ve been afraid that I would try her books, and not like them, and then feel somehow inadequate that I didn’t like the work of this great mistress of fiction.
I finally managed to climb over these made-up obstacles. I found this book, Unlocking the Air, which is a collection of her recent short fiction. Thus, it isn’t dated, it’s not a YA novel, it’s not overly gadgety, like I always fear SF will be…. And it was really wonderful. She is truly a brilliant writer, and I am really sorry that I’ve waited this long. I feel kind of like I did last year when I discovered Alice Munro, like, what an idiot I’ve been for avoiding her for this long, for such stupid reasons.
The stories in this book vary widely in style, length, and subject matter, but each one was a little gem. Even the title story, the resolution of which was incomprehensible to me, was really wonderful and mysterious. The final story, The Poacher, is my favorite, and it was the only pure fantasy story in the book. Her writing, like Munro’s, like Margaret Atwood’s, is so effortlessly brilliant, it just fills you with awe.
Interestingly, I can’t find a review of this book online (except by booksellers) though there is plenty available about Le Guin herself, and her other books.
(Book 26, 2006)
Sunday, June 04, 2006
3 comments:
She's definitely worth making the effort to read, especially as most of her science fiction work is ideas driven so doesn't age badly. I've been a big Le Guin fan for ages and would highly recommend much of her work. My favourite of hers recently was The Telling which has a lovely passage about the nature of storytelling. Explore and enjoy. Its always rewarding to read authors and genres you would never normally touch :-)
Amicitia
Aging badly is, I think, a common ailment among SF and fantasy stories, and hence my fears about The Wizard of Earthsea. I still haven't gotten around to trying this, but thanks for the encouragement!
Since I stubled upon Le Guin's work, I have been hooked, so I'm always happy when someone else discovers her work.
I more of a novel reader, so I started with Earthsea. Loved that, moved on to other work. Her science fiction isn't gadget driven, but character driven. That's why it doesn't really age.
And if you're interested in character driven, well-written sf, Octavia Butler is worth reading, too.
There's just one other thing I'd like to point out: quite a lot of Atwood's work could be classified as science fiction too. She doesn't use the label herself, as it alienates readers, but it can certainly be seen as such.
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