Status
Available
Call number
Publication
Tin House Books (Portland, Oreg., 2018). 1st edition, 1st printing. 150 pages. $14.95.
Description
In a series of interviews with David Naimon, Le Guin discusses craft, aesthetics, and philosophy in her fiction, poetry, and nonfiction works. The discussions provide ample advice and guidance for writers of every level, but also give Le Guin a chance to sound off on some of her favorite subjects: the genre wars, the patriarchy, the natural world, and what, in her opinion, makes for great writing. With excerpts from her own books and those that she looked to for inspiration, this volume is a treat for Le Guin's longtime readers, a perfect introduction for those first approaching her writing, and a tribute to her incredible life and work.
User reviews
LibraryThing member MM_Jones
The recently deceased LeGuin was best known for writing in the science fiction genre and poetry. Neither of those areas hold much attraction for me, but I'm drawn to her nonfiction writing, which she considered her weakest area. The way her mind works is fascinating, many viewpoints I wouldn't have
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considered. This is a small book based on interviews in preparation for publication when she died. Contains references to some of her other writings. Perhaps best for someone familiar with her work, but also a fine introduction. Show Less
LibraryThing member drardavis
This is a nice little book with several interesting remarks and comments, but it is not comprehensive and in depth. Still, the ideas communicated are well worth listening to. I especially liked the excerpt from “On Serious Literature” about sci-fi genre writing. It fit right in with the book I
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just finished, Frankenstein. Show Less
LibraryThing member LisCarey
In the last months of her life, Ursula K. Le Guin did a series of interview with David Naimon for Oregon radio station KBOO, and they decided to turn those interviews into a book. This is that book, which Le Guin did not live quite long enough to see in print. It's now a finalist for the Hugo
There are three sections--a conversation about fiction, a conversation about poetry, and a conversation about non-fiction. Le Guin, of course, wrote all three, and did all three well.
These conversations are lively, interesting, informative, and entertaining. Le Guin always expressed herself well, and was both brilliant and knowledgeable. Her perspective on writing, the publishing industry, what genre is and isn't our relationship to the natural world, and why imagination is so suspect in America, and "animal stories" relegated to children's reading throughout the western world. are provocative and persuasive.
This is a short book, and well worth your time. Highly recommended!
I received this ebook as part of the 2019 Hugo Voters Packet, and am reviewing it voluntarily.
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Awards in the Best Related Work category.There are three sections--a conversation about fiction, a conversation about poetry, and a conversation about non-fiction. Le Guin, of course, wrote all three, and did all three well.
These conversations are lively, interesting, informative, and entertaining. Le Guin always expressed herself well, and was both brilliant and knowledgeable. Her perspective on writing, the publishing industry, what genre is and isn't our relationship to the natural world, and why imagination is so suspect in America, and "animal stories" relegated to children's reading throughout the western world. are provocative and persuasive.
This is a short book, and well worth your time. Highly recommended!
I received this ebook as part of the 2019 Hugo Voters Packet, and am reviewing it voluntarily.
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LibraryThing member Stevil2001
This is a a slim volume, and reads even faster than you'd think from its size; it's a set of transcripts of radio interviews she did, one on fiction, one on nonfiction, one on poetry (more of Le Guin's late-life strategy of collecting and organizing her work in action). While I guess I'm glad it
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exists, and it contains a number of Le Guin's usual insights (it was nice to hear her on, for example animal poetry, or conflict in fiction, or the use of tense and voice) it all feels a bit pointless. Mostly Naimon asks Le Guin about things she'd said and done elsewhere (as one does, I suppose), and you kind of get the feeling you'd be better off reading those other things that are being discussed to get the real insights. Like, the nonfiction interview is mostly about her 2016 collection Words Are My Matter, and I felt like I didn't learn anything I didn't learn better from reading the actual book. Valuable for the Le Guin completist (and I am one!), but hard to recommend to a more casual fan. Show Less
LibraryThing member sturlington
Nice little book of Le Guin wisdom. I'm not a fan of the interview format usually (especially when the questions are longer than the answers), but Le Guin has so many interesting things to say I didn't mind it here. I also appreciated the excerpts from her writing that accompanied the interviews.
LibraryThing member james.d.gifford
This is a lovely book, beautifully made and with the clarity of the spoken word. It’s based on David Naimon’s interviews with Le Guin. The three interviews cover Le Guin’s fiction, poetry, & non-fiction, with each integrating quotations from Le Guin’s works and others that illustrate her
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ideas, much as in Steering The Craft. Naimon clearly read Le Guin thoroughly, and the care of his questions is reflected in her responses (not always answers…). Show Less
LibraryThing member DrFuriosa
Writing about writing is hit or miss for me, and this one just didn't quite do it for me. I am interested in reading Le Guin's fiction, though.
LibraryThing member Pascale1812
Picked this up while waiting in line at a book signing. Published just after her death, the interviews touch on several themes in story-telling and writing which were important to Le Guin - everything from women as authors to her love of Orwell to the use of singular 'they' as a nondescript
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pronoun. Definitely made me curious to read her other non-fiction, although this book in itself was too short to be satisfying. Show Less
LibraryThing member Dokfintong
In a series of interviews with David Naimon (Between the Covers), Le Guin discusses craft, aesthetics, and philosophy in her fiction, poetry, and nonfiction respectively.
This book is in the form of an edited interview and I found it unpleasant to read. DNF
This book is in the form of an edited interview and I found it unpleasant to read. DNF
Awards
Hugo Award (Nominee — 2019)
Locus Award (Finalist — Non-Fiction — 2019)
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2018
Physical description
150 p.; 5.6 inches
ISBN
1941040993 / 9781941040997