Le Guin

Rosemary

Ursula K. Le Guin — gone. She was one of the first female SF writers I knew of — not hiding her gender behind initials or an androgynous name. And on top of that, she was so blindingly good at what she did, ground-breaking in so many ways.  Her influence and inspiration are beyond measure…

The Left Hand of Darkness left me stunned.  A Wizard of Earthsea filled me with longing of the sort that’s both painful and beautiful.  Always Coming Home puzzled me; then made me laugh; then made me jealous; then startled me;  then led me in circles; then made me jealous again.

You should read Jo Walton’s essay on her at Tor.com.

And John Scalzi’s at the L.A. Times.

Tor.com has also collected writer’s remembrances from all over the Internet…

I know she had to go sometime — all of us do — but I’m sad that it was now.   And glad that she was with us as long as she was.

The Left Hand of Darkness (Ace Science Fiction) by [Le Guin, Ursula K.]

I hate to see the great ones pass away…

Oh, I know there are more great ones coming, great ones not born yet; or born but not writing yet; or born and writing but not yet arrived at their best wisdom, their furthest sight —

But I hate to see them go.  They are so precious.

 

 


8 Responses to “Le Guin”

  • Lindig Says:

    Yes. I am filled with sadness.

  • bawa Says:

    I love all her work but one that can always make me feel good about the world and everything is “The Beginning Place.”

  • Charlie Russel Says:

    Indeed, a great loss. For those looking to renew your acquaintance with Le Guin, Audible has The Left Hand of Darkness on sale in the US for $3.95, read by George Guidall. I hadn’t read it in years and years, so it seemed a well spent four bucks.

  • Jim DeWitt Says:

    A nice collection of tributes.

    One of the joys of my professional career was defending “A Wizard of Earthsea” before a school board in the face of accusations it promoted “witchcraft.”

    She leaves a magnificent collection of work that will make her as close to immortal as anyone can come.

  • Rosemary Kirstein Says:

    You defended the book before a school board? Wow. That makes you a hero, by my reckoning.

  • X. Says:

    A fitting tribute. The last lines are beautiful despite the sadness.

    I wonder would it be impolite to send you an email if I wanted to thank you for how your books have touched my life? I understand if so, thought it best to ask in case.

    • Rosemary Kirstein Says:

      Replying to “X”:

      Of course, feel free to email me if you’d like to. My email address is right there the front page of my blog, available to all.

      You should be aware that I don’t always respond quickly; it depends on what other things most need my attention at the time.

  • David Tate Says:

    _The Lathe of Heaven_
    “The Rule of Names”
    “The Stars Below”
    “Direction of the Road”
    “The Author of the Acacia Seeds”
    “Mazes”
    _City of Illusions_
    “The White Donkey”
    “The Shobies’ Story”
    _The Word for World is Forest_

    Thanks.