--- product_id: 21464065 title: "The Left Hand of Darkness: 50th Anniversary Edition" brand: "ursula k. le guin" price: "B/.32" currency: PAB in_stock: true reviews_count: 13 url: https://www.desertcart.com.pa/products/21464065-the-left-hand-of-darkness-50th-anniversary-edition store_origin: PA region: Panama --- # The Left Hand of Darkness: 50th Anniversary Edition **Brand:** ursula k. le guin **Price:** B/.32 **Availability:** ✅ In Stock ## Quick Answers - **What is this?** The Left Hand of Darkness: 50th Anniversary Edition by ursula k. le guin - **How much does it cost?** B/.32 with free shipping - **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship - **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.com.pa](https://www.desertcart.com.pa/products/21464065-the-left-hand-of-darkness-50th-anniversary-edition) ## Best For - ursula k. le guin enthusiasts ## Why This Product - Trusted ursula k. le guin brand quality - Free international shipping included - Worldwide delivery with tracking - 15-day hassle-free returns ## Description 50TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION—WITH A NEW INTRODUCTION BY DAVID MITCHELL AND A NEW AFTERWORD BY CHARLIE JANE ANDERS Ursula K. Le Guin’s groundbreaking work of science fiction—winner of the Hugo and Nebula Awards. A lone human ambassador is sent to the icebound planet of Winter, a world without sexual prejudice, where the inhabitants’ gender is fluid. His goal is to facilitate Winter’s inclusion in a growing intergalactic civilization. But to do so he must bridge the gulf between his own views and those of the strange, intriguing culture he encounters... Embracing the aspects of psychology, society, and human emotion on an alien world, The Left Hand of Darkness stands as a landmark achievement in the annals of intellectual science fiction. ## Technical Specifications | Specification | Value | |---------------|-------| | Asin | 0441478123 | | Dimensions | 4.19 x 0.92 x 7.5 inches | | Edition | First Edition | | Isbn 10 | 9780441478125 | | Isbn 13 | 978-0441478125 | | Item Weight | 8 ounces | | Language | English | | Print Length | 304 pages | | Publication Date | March 15, 1987 | | Publisher | Ace Books | ## Images ![The Left Hand of Darkness: 50th Anniversary Edition - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71XqE4caMNL.jpg) ## Available Options This product comes in different **Format** options. ## Customer Reviews ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Fascinating story, groundbreaking work, recommended for anyone *by on Reviewed in the United States November 4, 2012* Book Info: Genre: Science FictionReading Level: AdultRecommended for: Anyone, especially those interested in gender roles.Please Note: I picked up a used copy of this after reading Nataliya's review on Goodreads. A opinions are my own.Synopsis: Genly Ai is an emissary from the human galaxy to Winter, a lost, stray world. His mission is to bring the planet back into the fold of an evolving galactic civilization, but to do so he must bridge the gulf between his own culture and prejudices and those that he encounters. On a planet where people are of no gender - or both - this is a broad gulf indeed. The inventiveness and delicacy with which Le Guin portrays her alien world are not only unusual and inspiring, they are fundamental to almost all decent science fiction that has been written since. In fact, reading Le Guin again may cause the eye to narrow somewhat disapprovingly at the younger generation: what new ground are they breaking that is not already explored here with greater skill and acumen? It cannot be said, however, that this is a rollicking good story. Le Guin takes a lot of time to explore her characters, the world of her creation, and the philosophical themes that arise.My Thoughts: This book is part of a series by Le Guin called the Hainish Cycle; these books can be read interdependently of one another.In the introduction to this book, the author says, "Science fiction is often described, and even defined, as extrapolative. The science fiction writer is supposed to take a trend or phenomenon of the here-and-now, purify and intensify it for dramatic effect, and extend it into the future... a prediction is made. Method and results much resemble those of a scientist... the outcome seems almost inevitably to be cancer... somewhere between the gradual extinction of human liberty and the total extinction of terrestrial life... Almost anything carried to its logical extreme becomes depressing, if not carcinogenic." Her point is that she is telling a story, not extrapolating into the future - and she tells a story very well.Genly Ai is a fascinating character; he's so incredibly biased, but tries to maintain a presence among the people on Winter without letting them know how he really feels; watching him grow and change through the course of the book was a wonderful experience. On the other hand, I'm also fascinated by the King of Karhide who, upon learning there were thousands of other civilizations out there, instead of considering that his people were the odd ones, rather claims that they were the only normal ones and all those thousands of civilizations were full of aberrations and perverts. It's a fascinating study on how people consider themselves and only themselves to be the norm.I do wish some form of gender-neutral terminology had been created for this book. Having Genly call everyone "he" even if he considers some of them feminine is distracting. However, this is not, I am fairly certain, something that was really even considered when this book was written (1969) and it was probably quite a shocking and groundbreaking idea at the time."Consider: Anyone can turn his hand to anything... The fact that everyone between seventeen and thirty-five or so is liable to be (as Nim put it) `tied down to childbearing,' implies that no one is quite so thoroughly `tied down' here as women elsewhere are likely to be... burden and privilege are shared out pretty equally, everybody has the same risk to run or choice to make. therefore nobody here is quite so free as a free male anywhere else." A fascinating thought, and one that is dealt with in only an ancillary way throughout the course of the book, as are all other ideas being expressed by this text.Definitely an interesting book, a great story, wonderful world-building. I'm very happy that I was introduced to this book and took the chance to grab a copy when I had a gift certificate. I think this is an important book that should be study in gender-study classes at the university level; I think it is a book most everyone should read and spend some time thinking about. ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐ If you enjoy science fiction, I recommend you give this book a try. *by on Reviewed in the United States August 19, 2023* Let me preface this review by saying I went into this book blind. I haven’t read anything by the author previously, but this book is mentioned and recommended often enough in some of the reader groups I follow that I thought I’d check it out. I like most science fiction, so it seemed like a good pick.Originally published in 1969, the writing is definitely indicative of its era. It is at times very dense with a tendency to throw an overwhelming amount of information at the reader (not quite to the same level as say, Tolkien, but it’s not far behind.) The writing style itself is what I’ve come to expect from books written at the time; even though it’s written in first-person, there is a distinct level of detachment between the reader and the characters.But the story itself was fascinating. The man character is Genly Ai, an Envoy sent to a world his people have called “Winter” with the hopes of incorporating the planet and its people into a trade network spanning eighty-three other worlds. He’s mired in politics from the start, and struggles to understand the motives and subtleties that drive Winter’s government officials.All of the eighty-three worlds (or eighty-four, if you count Winter) are the home to some variety of human. There is some discussion about how that came to be, with hints at genetic experimentation long ago that may have created some of the human species. Genly Ai seems to be from our Earth (though it’s referred to as Terra more often than not.) The people of Winter are similar in form, but are a distinctly different species, and an anomaly when compared with the other eighty-three in terms of gender and reproduction. Their genetics and biochemistry was fascinating when it was discussed (but I’ve always had an interest in that stuff.)There were two predominant factions (or Hearths) on Winter. Karhide was based on the monarchy system of government, replete with court intrigue and subterfuge. It was common for Karhiders to talk around a subject, neither lying nor coming to the truth. Orgoreyn seemed to be based off a true communist state, where the government found employment for everyone and ensured they had a place, but there was no single person in charge of making decisions. The people of Orgoreyn seemed happy on the surface, but they were often kept in ignorance of the events going on around them, as news and communications were strictly controlled.Beyond all of that, this was at its core a story of finding true friendship despite the major differences between Genly Ai and the man who ultimately becomes his closest acquaintance on Winter. It’s a story of overcoming those differences and seeing the other person as they are. It’s a story of acceptance—across worlds, across cultures, across political divides.I can see why this book was considered so groundbreaking at the time of its publication. While this isn’t a new book, I believe much of it is still relevant today.If you haven't read The Left Hand of Darkness and enjoy science fiction, I recommend you give this book a try. ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Wow What An Amazing Tale! *by on Reviewed in the United States December 3, 2024* My introduction to Ursula K. Le Guin was in a college lit class where“The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas” was on the syllabus. That short story touched me profoundly and I’ve read it many times through the years. Despite that, I’ve never dove further into her œuvre simply because I’m not a sci-fi fan and that was her lane.But I read an article this year that referenced her 1969 novel The Left Hand of Darkness and it intrigued me, especially the fact that it’s become an “early seminal text” for the LGBT community. So glad I put aside my hesitation for science fiction and read this book. Le Guin’s writing is so incredibly descriptive. She places the reader perfectly on the harsh planet of Gethen where she spins quite the tale.The plot involves Genly Ai, an envoy from a group of other planets who has visited Gethen in hopes of convincing the leaders on that planet to join his federation (The Ekumen). Ai is assisted in his quest by Therem Harth rem ir Estraven (side note, one of the things I dislike about sci-fi is all the crazy names) who is an advisor to King Argaven before a spectacular fall from grace.The reason this book is so revered among the LGBT community is a quirk of the people on Gethen. They are nonbinary most of the time, except for a few days ever month when their sexual organs emerge and they get hot and horny for some action. This is called “kemmering” and the best part is, you never know from one month to the next if you’ll be a male or female in your next kemmer. Indeed when King Argaven gets pregnant it throws the whole idea of sexual identity and gender roles out the window.At the heart of this book is the relationship between Ai and Estraven. It evolves slowly, from mistrust to respect to friendship and even includes a bit of sexual tension when Estraven kemmers while the two of them are in a tent (like the pregnant king, that’s another reminder that we’re not in Kansas anymore).I loved this book. It forced me to reconsider things like patriotism and sexuality and societal norms. But it was also a gripping novel with a sad yet satisfying ending.I may never be a sci-fi fan but I will dig deeper into Le Guin’s works. She’s two for two in my book. ## Frequently Bought Together - The Left Hand of Darkness: 50th Anniversary Edition - The Dispossessed [50th Anniversary Edition]: A Novel - The Parable of the Sower (Parable, 1) --- ## Why Shop on Desertcart? - 🛒 **Trusted by 1.3+ Million Shoppers** — Serving international shoppers since 2016 - 🌍 **Shop Globally** — Access 737+ million products across 21 categories - 💰 **No Hidden Fees** — All customs, duties, and taxes included in the price - 🔄 **15-Day Free Returns** — Hassle-free returns (30 days for PRO members) - 🔒 **Secure Payments** — Trusted payment options with buyer protection - ⭐ **TrustPilot Rated 4.5/5** — Based on 8,000+ happy customer reviews **Shop now:** [https://www.desertcart.com.pa/products/21464065-the-left-hand-of-darkness-50th-anniversary-edition](https://www.desertcart.com.pa/products/21464065-the-left-hand-of-darkness-50th-anniversary-edition) --- *Product available on Desertcart Panama* *Store origin: PA* *Last updated: 2026-10-19*