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What Members Thought

I liked the premise far more than I liked the writing. I realized when I was almost done that I didn't care about the characters, and if I hadn't been set to talk about this with someone after I finished it, I don't know that I would have kept going.
The main idea behind the book, that there is a race of aliens that are androgynous and can choose gender at will only during the time of the month that they are in heat, essentially, is absolutely fascinating. I think Le Guin explored the structure ...more
The main idea behind the book, that there is a race of aliens that are androgynous and can choose gender at will only during the time of the month that they are in heat, essentially, is absolutely fascinating. I think Le Guin explored the structure ...more

Well, I'm glad I read this. The beginning was a slog and if I hadn't been reading it for a book club, I probably wouldn't have continued. But Le Guin's writing is immensely impressive, and the depth that she put into this world and these characters shines through. Even when I wasn't enjoying myself, I had to acknowledge the work that was being done on the page to build out this entirely new world and Le Guin's exploration of gender and androgyny through her characters. I'm pretty sure that I mis
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And I thought I didn't like science fiction
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Read this book for a college course years ago and remembered liking it, but I tried re-reading recently for a book group and it just didn't grab me.
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Apr 16, 2008
Terri
marked it as to-read

Mar 28, 2014
Clarke
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May 18, 2014
Adina
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Oct 28, 2016
Otis Chandler
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Dec 18, 2016
Elizabeth
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Feb 19, 2017
Allyson
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Aug 17, 2017
In Ho
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Jan 24, 2018
Gloriana
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Feb 01, 2018
Jenny
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May 25, 2020
rose
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Jul 20, 2023
angeleen
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