There’s a reason Ursula K. Le Guin has become an icon, and it’s not just her writing-although her writing is stunning. It’s the emotion and the drive behind the work itself. The daring to imagine other worlds. Other times. Subtle and poignant, her activism is never obvious. But the idea of equality is always there. Now, although some of her early work has dated, her dedication to her craft shines through. That’s especially in her last novel, Lavinia. It’s a dense and challenging read, but ever so rewarding.

Ursula K. Le Guin had a long career and a productive one, so there’s only really a taste presented here. And mostly her better known work-with a little non-fiction thrown in. I’ve also added one of my favourites. A not so well-known story that really resonated with me. “The Word for World is Forest.” It’s not very long, and I’m not sure what it was about this book. Maybe the idea of a world of forest was enough. I adored the world, a place of nothing but forest. And hated the people destroying it. But mostly, I think it was the idea of living closer to nature.

For me, the importance of the forest mirrored my love of forests and trees and all things mossy and green. There’s something magic about that. Just as there is something magic about forest.

Ursula K. Le Guin’s Fiction

Non Fiction

That’s all for now. I might add some more later.

And again, if you want to see her speech chastising the book industry and calling on writers to imagine a better world, it’s here on my Ursula K. Le Guin’s Dangerous Imagination post. It’s well worth the few minutes of your time.

Have fun reading.