42 pages • 1 hour read
Ursula K. Le GuinThe Left Hand of Darkness
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1969A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
In The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin, Genly Ai, an ambassador from the Ekumen, arrives on the planet Gethen to convince its inhabitants to join the confederacy. Genly struggles to understand the genderless Gethenians and faces political intrigue and extreme climate conditions. Estraven, a Gethenian, becomes his ally, and together they embark on a perilous journey, forming a deep bond. The novel explores themes of gender, communication, and cultural differences. The book includes instances of death by suicide and discussions of sexual violence.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin is often praised for its rich world-building and exploration of complex themes such as gender and politics. Readers appreciate its innovative narrative and poetic prose. However, some criticize its dense exposition and slow pacing. The novel remains a thought-provoking, genre-defining work in science fiction.
Who Should Read The Left Hand of Darkness?
A reader who enjoys digging deep into gender roles, political intrigue, and rich world-building will find The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin compelling. Fans of Dune by Frank Herbert and The Dispossessed by Le Guin herself will appreciate the complex characters and thought-provoking themes.
RecommendedReading Age
15+yearsLexile Level
970L