So disappointing. I would not have guessed that this book was written by LeGuin. So many stock, old images and depictions, a tired plot devuce, and no new understanding of the world arrived at through the story. ( )

Not reviewed. Not well remembered. ( )

At 1st this seemed like just what I needed after I endured the colossal boredom of Gertrude Stein's "The Making of Americans": 2 people trapped in the horrors of ordinary suburban life discover a wooded place w/ stream where clocktime is slowed. They go there & are happy for a while w/o spending so much time that they miss going to their jobs. I wd've given this 4 stars but then it degenerated a little into a variation on a sword & sorcery hack job romance. Still, I liked it. I've never read anything by LeGuin that didn't have some strength of idea. ( )

I did finish the whole thing. Considering how awesome Le Guin's stuff tends to be, I thought I'd like it more. Definitely clever stuff in it on the ideas and life observations end, but otherwise I found it slow. It's not a fair critique to simply state that the beginning is long, nor simply that not much happens. More like, with how long the beginning is, and with how not much happens, it read pretty offbalance for me. Meant for younger audiences who'll be more sensitive in a first-time way to the clever details? That's just me. Try it anyway! ( )

This is the first book I've read by Ursula K. Le Guin, and I'm not sure what to think. On one hand, the fantasy element is lovely and individual characters are quite interesting, but on the other, I felt very underwhelmed and confused by the way it wrapped up. Hugh falls in love with Allia and soon after hooks up with Irena? I understand that it's meant to be about them being lost in both worlds and ultimately finding solace in each other, but that left a bad taste in my mouth.

On to the next Le Guin. ( )