Until August 30, the PBS documentary Worlds of Ursula K. Le Guin, directed by Arwen Curry, is free to watch!
USA Link: https://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/worlds-of-ursula-k-le-guin-full-film/11632/
UK Link: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000bh0x
Unfortunately I haven't been able to find links for any other country. If you do find (legal) streams available elsewhere, please let me know and I'll add them here.
TOR's Description:
I'll be seeing it for the first time these weekend so I can't speak to its quality, but I wanted to give folks a heads up.
Ursula K. Le Guin needs no introduction for her fans, but for those that do need an introduction, I want to convince you to take a look at her work. She is a literary giant in science fiction and fantasy, and yet, she hasn't broken into the mainstream the way other (male) authors of her generation have.
If you've ever thought that science fiction and fantasy never quite delivered on its promises of imagining other ways of living, never moved beyond worlds that were predominately white and male, then Le Guin's works are for you.
And even if you've never thought that about the two genres, you should still definitely check her out. There is plenty to enjoy in the staggering amount of work she left behind during almost six decades of writing.
Her themes include humanism, environmentalism, feminism, and anticaptialism. She was one of the first American fantasy and sci-fi writers to center people of color and queer protagonists in her work. Unlike many of the white authors working in the genre, particularly during her time, Le Guin never considered a default of race, gender, or sexuality. Her stories are truly diverse in character, theme, and setting.
Below, I've highlighted arguably her most famous works. Maybe if there's enough traction in the thread, I'll post about some of her less known stuff that I've really enjoyed, particularly her short story collections which are on par (or even better) than her novels.
The Earthsea Books
A Wizard of Earthsea, The Tombs of Atuan, The Farthest Shore, Tehnanu, Tales from Earthsea, and The Other Wind
Synopsis of A Wizard of Earthsea (from Goodreads): Ged, the greatest sorcerer in all Earthsea, was called Sparrowhawk in his reckless youth. Hungry for power and knowledge, Sparrowhawk tampered with long-held secrets and loosed a terrible shadow upon the world. This is the tale of his testing, how he mastered the mighty words of power, tamed an ancient dragon, and crossed death's threshold to restore the balance.
Image from the dust cover of The Books of Earthsea: The Complete Illustrated Edition, illustrated by Charles Vess.
The Left Hand of Darkness
Synopsis (from Goodreads): A groundbreaking work of science fiction, The Left Hand of Darkness tells the story of a lone human emissary to Winter, an alien world whose inhabitants can choose - and change - their gender. His goal is to facilitate Winter's inclusion in a growing intergalactic civilization. But to do so he must bridge the gulf between his own views and those of the completely dissimilar culture that he encounters.
From How The Left Hand of Darkness Changed Everything by Becky Chambers:
Image from Folio Society's illustrated edition, illustrated by David Lupton
The Dispossessed
Synposis (from Goodreads): Shevek, a brilliant physicist, decides to take action. He will seek answers, question the unquestionable, and attempt to tear down the walls of hatred that have isolated his planet of anarchists from the rest of the civilized universe. To do this dangerous task will mean giving up his family and possibly his life—Shevek must make the unprecedented journey to the utopian mother planet, Urras, to challenge the complex structures of life and living, and ignite the fires of change.
Image from Folio Society's illustrated edition, illustrated by David Lupton
USA Link: https://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/worlds-of-ursula-k-le-guin-full-film/11632/
UK Link: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000bh0x
Unfortunately I haven't been able to find links for any other country. If you do find (legal) streams available elsewhere, please let me know and I'll add them here.
TOR's Description:
TOR said:
I'll be seeing it for the first time these weekend so I can't speak to its quality, but I wanted to give folks a heads up.
Ursula K. Le Guin needs no introduction for her fans, but for those that do need an introduction, I want to convince you to take a look at her work. She is a literary giant in science fiction and fantasy, and yet, she hasn't broken into the mainstream the way other (male) authors of her generation have.
If you've ever thought that science fiction and fantasy never quite delivered on its promises of imagining other ways of living, never moved beyond worlds that were predominately white and male, then Le Guin's works are for you.
And even if you've never thought that about the two genres, you should still definitely check her out. There is plenty to enjoy in the staggering amount of work she left behind during almost six decades of writing.
Her themes include humanism, environmentalism, feminism, and anticaptialism. She was one of the first American fantasy and sci-fi writers to center people of color and queer protagonists in her work. Unlike many of the white authors working in the genre, particularly during her time, Le Guin never considered a default of race, gender, or sexuality. Her stories are truly diverse in character, theme, and setting.
Below, I've highlighted arguably her most famous works. Maybe if there's enough traction in the thread, I'll post about some of her less known stuff that I've really enjoyed, particularly her short story collections which are on par (or even better) than her novels.
The Earthsea Books
A Wizard of Earthsea, The Tombs of Atuan, The Farthest Shore, Tehnanu, Tales from Earthsea, and The Other Wind
Synopsis of A Wizard of Earthsea (from Goodreads): Ged, the greatest sorcerer in all Earthsea, was called Sparrowhawk in his reckless youth. Hungry for power and knowledge, Sparrowhawk tampered with long-held secrets and loosed a terrible shadow upon the world. This is the tale of his testing, how he mastered the mighty words of power, tamed an ancient dragon, and crossed death's threshold to restore the balance.
Image from the dust cover of The Books of Earthsea: The Complete Illustrated Edition, illustrated by Charles Vess.
The Left Hand of Darkness
Synopsis (from Goodreads): A groundbreaking work of science fiction, The Left Hand of Darkness tells the story of a lone human emissary to Winter, an alien world whose inhabitants can choose - and change - their gender. His goal is to facilitate Winter's inclusion in a growing intergalactic civilization. But to do so he must bridge the gulf between his own views and those of the completely dissimilar culture that he encounters.
From How The Left Hand of Darkness Changed Everything by Becky Chambers:
Becky Chambers said:
Image from Folio Society's illustrated edition, illustrated by David Lupton
The Dispossessed
Synposis (from Goodreads): Shevek, a brilliant physicist, decides to take action. He will seek answers, question the unquestionable, and attempt to tear down the walls of hatred that have isolated his planet of anarchists from the rest of the civilized universe. To do this dangerous task will mean giving up his family and possibly his life—Shevek must make the unprecedented journey to the utopian mother planet, Urras, to challenge the complex structures of life and living, and ignite the fires of change.
Image from Folio Society's illustrated edition, illustrated by David Lupton
