The Left Hand of Darkness 🫲 Deconstruction of the Other

Let’s talk about the left hand of darkness! Big thank you to Squarespace for sponsoring today's video: www.squarespace.com/danielgreene
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[@DanielGreeneReviews]

Big thank you to Squarespace for sponsoring today's video: www.squarespace.com/danielgreene

[@curlyhead360]

One thing I love about Left Hand of Darkness is you go into thinking it's going to be about the philosophy of gender, and while it is that, it's also about the philosophy of the weather being really fucking cold.

[@merrittanimation7721]

"What if everyone was non-binary and it was also really really cold."

[@TheTrueRandomGamer]

We need to talk about Le Guin in general. Try the Dispossessed next.

[@TimdeWouter]

I was even more blown away by The Dispossessed. What a book!

[@Scotty-BK]

Absolutely agree with both of these statements. She was a true icon in so many ways. Her nonfiction and essays are amazing too. Just a certified badass.

[@breem2999]

Yes! This is the book that introduced me to Le Guin in college and started my journey towards my leftist politics. She’s now my favorite author and I always recommend The Dispossessed to anyone who likes dystopias. I also am obsessed how she includes the tools of society such as language to investigate and analyze that culture (ie. no possessive pronouns in a socialist/communist society). I will never get over her genius!

[@ellery0909]

Yes!

[@TheInfamousRoo]

The dispossessed is one of those few books I see where a political ideology is a not only critical of other systems but also turns its eye on itself and criticizes its only weaknesses. It’s incredibly interesting.

[@nancyjay790]

I had the incredible good luck that after I wrote LeGuin a gushy fangirl letter, she wrote me back on personalised stationery. I re-read the letter every so often to remind myself that a goddes of sci fi can be humble.

[@devlyn873]

That's amazing!!!

[@KassWinnie]

That is SO COOL

[@user-eq8ww1gr6v]

Ursula K Le Guinn is such an amazing writer in general and this work in particular. Thank you for reviewing this book!

[@ReinReads]

Love the shoutout to LeGuin’s introduction for this book. One of the best short essays ever written.

[@DanielGreeneReviews]

Totally agree!

[@breem2999]

Le Guin is a master at investigating the theme of The Other and our relationship to it. A short story of hers that I hardly ever see anyone talk about is “Vaster than Empires and More Slow.” An amazing short read that has a horror-ish feel to it. It looks into our concepts of self, others, and how we react when we come into conflict with them. What would you do if all you ever knew was you (the wholeness and vastness of you), had no concept whatsoever of anything outside your own being, and then you discover The Other?

[@gokbay3057]

Oh I remember reading that (in a collection of some of her short stories if memory serves, forgot the name the book went by. Edit: It was "The Wind's Twelve Quarters). It has been years though so I don't really remember it.

[@jarltrippin]

Book reviews got Daniel going outside regularly 💪 💪 💪 💯 💯 💯

[@andrebeldham8166]

Left Hand of Darkness is one of my favourite books and I'm so glad you loved it. This video reminded me that I really need to read more LeGuin. Also have to say I enjoy the on location reviews.

[@fern4743]

I love Le Guin so so much! After reading one of her books (at least for me) the more you think about them and digest them the more you love them. Great video ❤️

[@RubenRodriguez-co9jx]

This is in my travel bag. Maybe this is my sign to finally actually read it.

[@milledreyerjrgensen9782]

I read The Left Hand Of Darkness a couple months back and was blown away! I haven’t stopped thinking about it. I have also I recently read The Dispossessed and while TLHOD is my favourite, I loved it

[@Arumbarth]

These single, focused reviews are my favorite content you put out. I was actually thinking about picking this one up as well!

[@CCP_yb]

“I will never write something like that… F$CK.” 😂❤ I felt that so much lmao 😢 the wonderful and terrible effect of being a writer who reads a brilliant book by another writer

[@e.matthews]

Love it! Also the concept of kemmer is just so cool, and has every basis in real-world biology. This and The Dispossessed are two masterworks. I think your score will grow from 8.5, since legacy takes time

[@RedAntisocial]

One of my favourite classic reads. It's not without fault, but damn it's so good. Also, that's a Canadian Goose. They're quite aggressive and go by many other names, like "Cobra Chicken"

[@pattheplanter]

Daniel approaches goose "let's hug". Me: next scene in hospital?

[@RedAntisocial]

@@pattheplanter yeah, I was all "Nonononononono"

[@kerneywilliams632]

Haven't listened to your channel for awhile. I love the change in tone and thoughtfulness of this review. Looking forward for more.

[@John-lo2wn]

My favorite LeGuin is Those Who Walk Away from Omelas. Always makes me think.

[@joshwilson314]

It is also interesting to view this book through a 1969 lens. (That's when it was published). It seems to be using the gender fluidity of this alien species to poke holes in the gender stereotypes that were so essential to the American worldview at the time. You can also see that Le Guin is having to fit this story into a literary landscape that was dominated by men, and a male worldview. It seems like a lot of Genly's discomfort is a fear of the feminine, which is a core part of misogyny and homophobia. This book is a prime example of how speculative fiction can be used as a vessel for empathy.

[@thomascromwell6840]

I loved this book because of how good it is and because LeGuin is my favourite sci-fi author.

[@andrewking9439]

goose was a paid background actor for sure

[@rbkstrm]

"Deeewd, what! Is she about to release an album???!" Had me giggling

[@BooksWithBenghisKahn]

Loved the on-location review! Sounds like so many interesting ideas got explored in this one and that it’s a must-read for me!

[@tubekiller26]

BIG ROCK GOES SPLOOSH, Goblin neurons activate

[@MrBenfranz]

Le Guin's prose is strongly lyrical in nature. Especially with all the ECC novels. The telling, for example, is a particularly lovely lyrical tale.

[@GallowglassVT]

Le Guin truly was a revolutionary in the field of fiction. Keep in mind that Left Hand Of Darkness came out in the 60s, and people are still very much insistent on the idea that non-binary and non-cis perspectives on gender is an entirely modern phenomenon (it isn't. In fact, the science has been a thing since the 20s and plenty of cultures have had similar ideas for far longer). She really was one in a million.

[@feral_orc]

Doesn't mean they right

[@GallowglassVT]

@@feral_orc I mean... if science backs you up, probably a good sign, no?

[@feral_orc]

@@GallowglassVT funny, I thought gender was a social construct?

[@BigItalian7]

Yes, which means it is subject to change depending on the culture. And social constructs have real effects on people‘s psyche where the ‚hard science‘ comes in, if that‘s what you‘re having an issue with

[@feral_orc]

@@BigItalian7 I don't think having a penis depends on your culture

[@royceshatzel]

This books been on my tbr for a while, guess it’s the next one I’m gonna read now

[@user-dr5gj2nk4g]

All the Hainish cycle books are great, and because they are all vastly separate, and only very loosely connected, they can safely be read in any order. Left Hand of Darkness is certainly one of my favorites, but The Dispossessed is also an amazing book.

[@braendyn]

so glad you finally hit this one

[@VikingSchism]

One of the themes I really loved in this book was the one of contrast (which is similar to what you mentioned about balance) - there is no darkness without light, there is no cold without warmth, and this extends too to the Othering of people. There is no "woman" without "man". By defining one group we also, by necessity, define an out-group - those who do not fit into the first are cast into the latter

[@Jibkopatha]

This is my favourite quote from the book. There is another theme going on, about patriotism/nationalism and what does it mean. "And I wondered, not for the first time, what patriotism is, what the love of country truly consists of, how that yearning loyalty that had shaken my friend's voice arises, and how so real a love can become, too often, so foolish and vile a bigotry. Where does it go wrong?"

[@merienkat5524]

TLHOD is one of my favourite novels, I even have a tattoo that references it! I love that you highlighted it's themes beyond gender identity cause those really surprised me when I read the book. While I, especially as a trans person, love the way Le Guin deconstructs gender and am baffled by how she wrote something the holds up this well in 1969 (!) the themes of politics and balance really stuck with me.

[@Off1313]

Hey I'm really curious, how does the tattoo reference it?? :)

[@JoeyMannino]

This is a crazy upload because I just read this book recently. Loved this style of video!

[@Talking_Story]

You have shamed me this classic has been on my TBR way too long. I need to pick it up!

[@ChBrahm]

I read this book at the start of the year and inmediatly fell in love with it Its beautiful and raw. LeGuin really got cooking with that one I like how in her scifi series we can explore different aspects of humanity Like in The Word for World is Forest we get an entierly new perspective on Communities and Ecology

[@Anueb_]

Great review! 😊

[@nazimelmardi]

It was time to talk about classical scifi! Ursula Le Guin appreciation video! 👏

[@amna5506]

Excited to get back to this video once I finish reading this book! Also, love these outdoor reviews

[@mollyuhe]

Left Hand of Darkness is one of my favorites. The Word for World is Forest, The Lathe of Heaven and Eye of the Heron are also really good. Well, all her stuff is wonderful but those are my most recent reads of hers. Both her parents were Anthropologists and I feel this really shows in her writing and world building. It's fantastic. Her works are worth saving to savor later and devouring all at once.

[@asentinelofstars]

This is one of my favourite books. Well, I was just thinking I wanted to reread this; your video has convinced me now is the time!

[@casualdragonslayer9655]

Can we just appreciate the sheer, artistic beauty of using the catch me outside girl as an existential representation of humanities failings?

[@carolbriscoe9337]

Thank you for this review. I did not finish my first attempt at reading this book. But now, because of you, I definitely will puck it up again

[@Grimscribe732]

Agreed. Left Hand of Darkness is definitely a classic, and mind-boggling how far ahead of its release date its topics are.

[@biophage1]

I like the outdoor setting! Nice outfit too! Looks good, dude :)

[@eliza9460]

I’m so happy I just read this recently. Great review. Wonderful book. Really like the woodland background. Fitting.

[@mattmccartney5996]

She had a deep and abiding interest in Taoism which is reflected in her repeatedly exploring the issues of balance and harmony in many of her works. She's a "must read" in my estimation.

[@reanodendaal3076]

I know this is a bit mushy and dark, but my biggest regret is not meeting her before she moved on. This woman's writing has changed so many lives and hearts, I wish she could keep going forever. While I enjoy her novels, her short stories are what really sent my soul on a journey. 'The compass rose' and 'The wind's twelve quarters' contain short stories that hit harder than an entire series of books...

[@breem2999]

Yes! I often think about her short story of relativity of motion from a tree’s POV (she’s so genius!), and the existential horror of the Other in “Vaster than Empires and More Slow.”

[@gokbay3057]

The Wind's Twelve Quarters really has excellent stories in it. Includes Winter's King among others so if Daniel were to read it he would be visiting Gethen again after LHoD.

[@keenananderson2052]

Leguin is definitely my favorite author. I’m super curious how you and others approach these books though. I read all of the Hainish novels/stories in “order” but I doubt everyone did that, I can’t wait to see more from you in this series

[@Alverant]

I started reading that book recently. So far. So good.

[@lcook1951]

great book and review

[@joereeve2569]

So much good media being discussed on this channel recently!

[@hollym7878]

More LeGuin content, please! A lot of people have mentioned The Dispossessed. I'd like to recommend The Telling, or the ever-classic A Wizard of Earthsea as well!

[@carolhostetter3178]

I agree, 8.5 out of 10. I read it as a young person in the 1970s and was really affected by it. I appreciate her saying she regrets that she didn’t do more on gender fluidity

[@NotSoNoob19]

Beautiful backdrop, brother

[@august1837]

I started reading this book a few months ago but stopped because i wasn't feeling science fiction at the time, but just here to second that the introduction alone is one of the best things i've ever read

[@Asian_Caleb]

I love the Joel Haver/Folding Ideas walks outside, for some reason it kind of just works

[@barbararowley6077]

I love this book so much, and have since I first read it as a teenager many decades ago. It’s definitely a book that more people should read.

[@MrBenfranz]

Estraven is such a wonderful foil for Genly.

[@mackenzies.g.9862]

Cool lake!

[@donsample1002]

For a second there at the end I thought you were going to learn why you don’t mess with a Canada Goose.

[@michaelvcelentano]

Did you read “Coming of Age in Karhide” before this review? It’s a deep dive into kemmer and how their puberty works; it’s a very touching story

[@AlexAzureOtaku]

One of my favourite Sci-Fi books thats primarily about the other but also so much more. Makes one think of ideas onw takes for granted

[@sitichybrid]

I feel like I'm not subtle enough to properly appreciate Le Guin. It's been a while since i've read it, but i remember overall feeling underwhelmed. It felt like the primary through line was Genly learning to see an individual beyond gender, and gender as a more fluid concept.. but as someone who spends time in queer and trans circles, this is something i'd already had to confront internally myself. And while I don't claim to have done it perfectly, it still fell short of the expectations i had for what I knew was so influential going in. I wonder how it would have impressed me if i didn't have my experiences, and I wonder what a more up to date variation of this story would be like, but Ultimately i had a lot of expectations and it just couldn't live up to them.

[@user-dr5gj2nk4g]

I think that as you mentioned, some of the core concepts explored are ground you are already familiar with, so they probably won't hit you as hard, but this was absolutely ground breaking when the book was released, and is today still an area that many people need to work on, and so the book remains very relevant. That said, there is also the dichotomy between traditionalism and modernity explored, but posed in the context of an alien society, which gives the reader a chance to view issues which are equally related to our own ideas about society, from the outside.

[@LordJazzly]

Yeah; _Left Hand Of Darkness_ was and is really influential in colloquial discussions about gender stuff (hell, it's considered a classic in _bisexual_ circles, where gender's not even the main focus), so if you're already familiar with the things it's talking about, you're probably also familiar with a lot of the things it has to say. Plus, it's really not _perfect;_ the quote at 14:40 in the video sounds nice, but also seems to be conflating equality with equivalence, and that can be a huge _enabler_ of discrimination and bigotry through malformed empathy ('If I were in your shoes, I'd be comfortable - therefore your shoes are comfortable', because you can't see that someone has different shaped feet, to make a very clumsy analogy for something I'm guessing you're already pretty familiar with but - just in case, you know?)

[@alphasword5541]

I mean it's good to read it with the context in mind, that it was published in 1969.

[@sernoddicusthegallant6986]

Outdoor Daniel reviews gives me nostalgia for the og garden fantano reviews

[@theatlascomplex2052]

I keep a copy of it in my backpack at all times, if I ever need something to read on a whim. Ursula K. le Guin was truly an amazing author and thinker. I highly recommend Paradises Lost, a novella that can be found in her short story collection the Birthday of the World. Also 8:38 is exactly how I feel when I read any of her work.

[@luka-ut7yk]

best booktube channel

[@jurremioch316]

The 🫲 emoji in the title is a right hand...

[@pattheplanter]

Not if it is the back of the hand. 👉👈

[@jurremioch316]

@@pattheplanter you can see the fat line of the inner thumb so its the inside of the right hand

[@pattheplanter]

@@jurremioch316 With the thumb in that position you get a line on both sides of the hand. It is a minimalist cartoon, you can't even see the blood on the stump.

[@Colaman112]

Use a browser, it'll just a show up as a square. Then it can be anything you imagine it to be.

[@jurremioch316]

@@pattheplanter maybe you see a different version of the emoji because its veeeery obvious for me lol

[@rubensanchezramirez7028]

I think they’re not actually aliens (I read it a while ago), but rather humans that have followed their own evolutionary path

[@gabrielmorales3441]

I loved that book when I read it

[@J.PatriciaAnderson]

It gets even better on rereads 👀.

[@safinan8008]

Wow nice place 😊

[@jacknixon2812]

That was a Canada goose Daniel, respect the Cobra-Chicken!

[@wyattleske7487]

Read that bookl Wow. What a stride! I only wish more wqould read ot today.

[@ansoneckel2552]

I do need to get around to read it. Also GOOSE!

[@joshuasmith147]

10/10 Canada Goose. Please bring back for future videos.

[@KaraAlexandraTM]

I’m just about to start reading that book lol

[@maya-gur695]

The Left Hand of Darkness is one of my favorite books of all times.

[@anneroosv]

Every day the desire to read something by Ursula K. Le Guin gets stronger. Hoping to find something of hers in my local bookshop soon! And sidenote: I really enjoy the change of scenery and knowing you get to spend some time outside, and was ridiculously invested in the side plot of your relationship with the goose

[@MrBenfranz]

The folk tales littering this novel are just wondrous.

[@Hamilwhovian]

As an anthropologist, I read the title of the video and laughed.... and added the book to my tbr immediately 😂 And after watching the video, is now on the top of my tbr!

[@sdstarr01]

The quote about the uselessness of foretelling the future is one of the most profound paragraphs I've seen in science fiction. As the "Foreteller" explains to Genly (this is a paraphrase) "What is the one thing you know for sure will happen to you and every other person?"

[@EvelyntMild]

I hope you all have a wonderful day.

[@DobroMentor]

More Ursula, please ❤

[@justinwf95]

Reading Le Guin literally changed the way I view the world. Her short stories in particular are just incredible ("The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas" should be required reading for everyone).

[@Bewleys_]

Very late, but this is the good stuff

[@coletunfoster376]

I need a book review with a background in France. That would be amazing content!

[@ZachJones198]

Normal studio is always good but loving the outside hangouts for some reviews

[@TheFrigidMidget]

I honestly thought this was green screened... until a goblin threw a rock into the lake.

[@Levi_Zacharias]

Canada Goose Cameo!? unexpected, but not unwelcome XD They are a menace on campus

[@Rockblue01]

Have you considered reading Woolf’s room of one’s own? It’s not SFF but it is a meditation on writing itself.

[@mefistogirl]

Great video Daniel! Just one lil thing that irks me about the title: The Left Hand of Darkness : right hand emoji : 🙃🙃🙃

[@townsendwright3999]

When I was…maybe 13 14, I put off my summer reading to the last minute, picked the one sci-fi title off the list of choices, and burned through this book in one day, I'm pretty sure etching a lot of the themes you talked about here into my hindbrain. It's been a Huge inspiration for several of the stories I've tried to write, including my current WIP (I realized weirdly late in the process of crafting a story about a traveler in a land of vastly different gender norms)

[@chase55431]

The aliens are human at least insofar as humans from Earth are human. In this universe, a older civilization spread humanity throughout the cosmos

[@ryanb3254]

Loved the review and the book. Why do the logs have legs?

[@CharlieThunder24]

The goose should get mention in the byline of this video. I love birds. That is all.

[@rad4924]

This video is crazy timing because I just finished reading The Left Hand of Darkness two days ago. Very interesting book. I'm still trying to process it and wrap my head around everything it had to say. It'll probably be months before I can contribute anything intelligent to any conversation regarding the book; I still need to think about it.

[@breem2999]

If you enjoyed it, I would recommend reading The Dispossessed by her next, if you haven’t already. Another great look at society and the individual. I’m still unpacking everything that book has to say even though I first read it 20 years ago!

[@procurement3681]

This should be interesting, I remember being bored with this book and confused as to why so many people really like it and think it's Le Guin's best book.

[@gonzalolopez1368]

The left hand of darkness if My favorite UKL book ever. It's just perfecto. Period

[@beabea3770]

You had me from the very beginning with "gender identity", need more sci-fi exploring that specific topic like Octavia Butler's Lilith's Brood.

[@animeotaku307]

Would like to see more of Butler’s work talked about here. Parable of the Sower smashed my doomer mentality. EDIT: Apparently he did years ago! As well as Kindred. Please disregard my comment.

[@dreddiknight]

Yeah Butler and Le Gun were doing stuff no one else was...

[@neondemon5137]

Is that when your righty gets tired so you switch over to the left?

[@MrBenfranz]

That's a goose. Best to leave it alone.

[@Battlechicken12]

Can you read the Gotrek and Felix series