The first three books are solid. More philosophical and light on character detail than most fantasy, but an interesting style. I especially like the fact that Le Guin avoids fighting, actively subverting the “final battle” trope.
The later books are kind of like the Brian Herbert Dune books: some shared characters and setting, but wildly different in style. 5 is actually a solid collection of short stories, but 4 and 6 are honestly a bit of a slog. Half-baked concepts. Better character writing, but a lot more goat herding and self-loathing internal dialog than I like my my SFF.
Read books 1-3; they’re short, and a reasonably completr story. If you want more, read 5. It doesn’t spoil anything in 4, and is the best of the ‘second trilogy.’ If you STILL want more after that, read 4, then 6. The conclusion is good, but not worth all the feminist hand-wringing (and I say this as a feminist hand-wringer).
The first three books are solid. More philosophical and light on character detail than most fantasy, but an interesting style. I especially like the fact that Le Guin avoids fighting, actively subverting the “final battle” trope.
The later books are kind of like the Brian Herbert Dune books: some shared characters and setting, but wildly different in style. 5 is actually a solid collection of short stories, but 4 and 6 are honestly a bit of a slog. Half-baked concepts. Better character writing, but a lot more goat herding and self-loathing internal dialog than I like my my SFF.
Read books 1-3; they’re short, and a reasonably completr story. If you want more, read 5. It doesn’t spoil anything in 4, and is the best of the ‘second trilogy.’ If you STILL want more after that, read 4, then 6. The conclusion is good, but not worth all the feminist hand-wringing (and I say this as a feminist hand-wringer).
Thank you for the thorough recommendations. Adding it to my read list.