| Genly Ai, a human envoy from the Ekumen -- a loose confederation of more than 80 planets -- has come to Gethen (a cold and fairly primitive planet familiarly known as Winter) to investigate whether its various societies are ready to join the Ekumen. Though many of the inhabitants are disbelieving and suspicious of him, one counselor to King Argaven of the Karhide by the name of Estraven allies with Ai on his mission. Unfortunately, Estraven is outmaneuvered by other players, branded a traitor, and flees to rival nation Orgoreyn, whence Ai follows, but the human ends up in a prison camp himself. Estraven must break Ai out and take him across the frozen wastes back to Karhide to complete his mission. The fact that the inhabitants of Gethen go through periods of their lives as either sex is discussed but not belabored. LeGuin attempts to create whole societies, and systems of faith; the book is as much "anthropology," with folk tales and scientific studies of its subject peoples, as first-person narrative by the two principles, so some may find it tedious at times. (The protagonists spend 70 pages struggling through ice, snow, and volcanic fields.) It won the Hugo and Nebula awards for the best science fiction novel of the year after its publication in 1969. | ||
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Plot & Themes Tone of book - sensitive (sigh....) FANTASY or SCIENCE FICTION? - science fiction story Political power play Yes Political plotlets - preventing/managing clash/war between govts/kingdoms Is this an adult or child's book? - Adult or Young Adult Book Cultural problems, alien culture Yes Culture clash- - one person from different culture of other persons Descript. of chases or violence - 0 % planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives - 20 % Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 40 % Descript. of society, phenomena (tech), places - 40 % Intense exploration of society's culture? Yes Main Character Identity: - Male Profession/status: Age: - 20's-30's Main Adversary Identity: - an organization Profession/status: How much of work is main antagonist actually present in: - an above average amount Setting Terrain A substantial portion of this book takes place on a non-Earth planetary body: - humans in a primitive/fantasy society - inhabited by friendly aliens - unfriendly aliens - neutral aliens Planet outside solar system? Yes Writing Style Accounts of torture and death? - generic/vague references to death/punishment scientific jargon? (SF only) - none/very little science jargon needed Sex in book? Yes How much dialogue? - significantly more descript than dialog |
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