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"Then you could read The Word for World is Forest, The Left Hand of Darkness, [and] The Dispossessed, in any order. In Dispossessed, the ansible gets invented; but they’re using it in Left Hand, which was written fifteen years earlier. Please do not try to explain this to me. I will not understand...The story suite Four Ways to Forgiveness is part of that universe, and so is the novel The Telling. But I have to warn you that the planet Werel in Four Ways is not the planet Werel in Planet of Exile. In between novels, I forget planets. Sorry...The Eye of the Heron may or may not be set in the Hainish universe; it really doesn’t matter."
She has so much swag.
Apr 9, 2025
Related Recs
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I love Ursula K Le Guin and have been slowly going through the so called Hainish cycle novels and stories. It can be an intimidating series to get into because it's not a linear story, the works are set in a so called Ekumen of planets but each novel is written in a differnt time period with differnt characters, and it was never intended to be a series so sometimes different texts will adress things in opposite ways.
Ursula has shared a supposed reading order when the tittles were release as a collection, you can find it here https://www.ursulakleguin.com/hainish-novels-and-stories?rq=the%20hainish%20cycle She herself seems to not take the idea of a specific reading order very seriously, and I wouldn't take anything to heart.
Personally I would start with the works already set in a time when the Ekumen exist, they are the most famous novels, and were written a little later so I do find their ability to adresss different political aspects more developed and interesting. The short story "The word for world is forest" is a great starting point since it's a very quick read and you can already get into ursula's narrative style and her intelligent approach to social issues. Then I would do to either The Dispossed or The Left Hand of Darkness, the one that grabs your interest really.
I would also recommend "The Wind's Twelve Quarters", a collection of short stories, though most are not sci-fi per say, it features the famous The one who walk away from Omelas", and the prologue to the hainish cycle "Semley's Necklace" (that is usually featured along some publications of Rocannon's World).
Anyways, I hope you can get into her work, it really is incredible. And if you would like short silly reads I would send you to The Annals of Pard, a diary she had on her blog where she writes the adventures between her and her cat Pard https://www.ursulakleguin.com/blog/42-choosing-a-cat
Mar 9, 2025
I imagine you’re gonna have a lot of Le Guin on this ask! This is her sci-fi classic. It is a truly brilliant book, and I absolutely adored it, even as someone who tends to prefer grounded sci-fi. It manages to contain such lush writing alongside astute political and anthropological understanding. Some sentences in it literally took my breath away. The world building is astounding, and the use of gender was entirely groundbreaking.
May 2, 2024
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I just love Le Guin. Reading The Dispossessed right now & am enjoying it so far
Feb 20, 2024
Top Recs from @lucius
Alright y'all, standards have gotten a little lax around here and rec quality has taken a dip (I'm including myself in this). Here are some pointers for High Rec Standards.
ANATOMY OF A REC:
TITLE—This is the rec or recommendations. This is NOT a lead in. Type exactly what you're recommending here. What appears in the Title should finish this sentence, "I recommend _____."
BODY—This supports the rec and anything goes. Supporting statements, supporting essays, additional recs, you can get silly, you can pontificate. You can do anything you want. Except putting the main rec down here. Where does it go? That's right. In the Title 👆
IMAGE—No rules. Add one to preference. It can be relevant or a non sequitur.
LINK—I highly recommend links but it's not as important as the Title or Body. If you are recommending something that has an online presence (music, movies, websites, products, etc.), Piffies want to click on it immediately. Don't make us google. Be kind a leave a link.
EMOJI—No rules. Express yourself.
ANTI-RECS:
They exist and they are valid recs. "Anti-Rec: _____" clearly communicates this is something best avoided. But a better way format this type of Rec is to use a modifier or verb that flows with "I recommend _____." Ex. I recommend... Not Eating Tacks, Avoiding Area X, Leaving Off the Anchovies, etc.—(Formatting Anti-Recs this way first recommended by tyler the Creator)
ANATOMY OF AN ASK:
TITLE—This is the question or topic of the Ask. Asks can solicit advice or start a discussion. You have some flexibility here because the Ask is expected to be expounded upon in the body if it needs more context. Just be clear. Again, this is not a lead in. Be direct and ask the question or state the topic.
BODY—Provide more context. Narrow the recommendation field. Add relevant links. Remember, the Ask goes in the Title 👆
EMOJI—No rules. Express yourself.
ANSWERING AN ASK—Recs on Asks can break style as dictated by the Ask. If the Ask is looking for Recs, give Recs following style. If it's asking for opinions, give your opinion. Asking for links? Give links! Respond however you would respond some someone IRL. Asks start a conversation so you can be more conversational. But keep in mind that these Recs will appear in the main feed. So where you can maintain Rec style, do so.
Example: WHAT’S YOUR CURRENT LETTERBOXD TOP 4?
A response to this with High Rec Standards would look something like this:
TITLE—Lists your current Letterboxd top 4. You are recommending these four movies.
BODY—Free reign here. Drop your Letterboxd @. Talk about the movies. Make a quip. Emoji. Relevant links. Nothing.
IMAGE—Optional. Screenshot of your top four. Frame from a movie. Dealer's choice.
LINK—Add your Letterboxd profile only if you want to be found.
EMOJI—Whatever. But it'd be nice if it was relevant.
DISCLAIMER:
This is a living community document! These are only my recommendations for a foundation. Debate and Discussion of proper style are Encouraged. Any editions and changes to the PI.FYI STYLE GUIDE will be notated with attribution.
Changelog:
07.26.2024—Clarified a Rec is not limited to one recommendation. Recs can recommend multiple things. Thanks to shegoestoanotherschool for identifying the issue. / Added guidance for Anti-Rec format.
02.11.2025—Moved SpongeBob Bubble Blowing Technique video link from the top level into the body ("some pointers") so the embed wouldn't override the High Quality instructional graphic.
Jul 25, 2024
May 27, 2025
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This combo has just been here the whole time?!
Feb 6, 2025