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roq's review
adventurous
challenging
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
sambora's review
4.0
What a wonderfully strange and somewhat "trippy" story this was. It was very enjoyable, and it was fun to see a variety of cultures and people from across the series come together; Hainish, Gethenians, Terrans, Cetians, etc.
Seeing some of the tech get used on screen was rewarding as well, both the Ansible and the Churten principles played big roles here, the later of which was rather mind bending to come to a working understand of.
This is definitely a story only to be read and fully appreciated by those invested in the Hainish series as a whole though, it really won't make any sense to a newcomer.
Still, I liked it very much. Its sometimes the smaller stories like this that make me realise how much I will get from rereading this series in the future.
Seeing some of the tech get used on screen was rewarding as well, both the Ansible and the Churten principles played big roles here, the later of which was rather mind bending to come to a working understand of.
This is definitely a story only to be read and fully appreciated by those invested in the Hainish series as a whole though, it really won't make any sense to a newcomer.
Still, I liked it very much. Its sometimes the smaller stories like this that make me realise how much I will get from rereading this series in the future.
dinosaursatwork's review
2.0
Unfortunately, this felt pretty much useless to me. I want short stories to move me out make me think, this was just a constant "what is she trying to get at?" The end attempts a message - this is part of Le Guins collection of stories that focus on stories/narration - but the resolution didn't feel like a payoff to me.
gaiusgallus's review
4.0
I liked this short well enough, and it laid a wonderful groundwork for the concept of churtening... I enjoyed the varied and overlaid perceptions of the Shoby crew, and the resolution was very touching and affirming.
telescopewizard's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
oh wow oh wow. i want to live in this cool little story. so oddly comforting/big and expansive/small and close and warm. takes ur hand and says “let me show u the way, i know the scifi jargon seems scary but u will understand the things that are important.” i already want to reread it over and over
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