The Dispossessed

Ursula Le Guin is gifted unlike any other sci-fi author of writing comeplling and beleivable characters in worlds that come alive from the page.

Ursula Le Guin is also cursed with endless essays and itellectual debate about the political/social/sexual meanings and construct of her stories - which can put people off just like the Left Hand of Darkness... please ignore it.

On a simplistic level this is an excellent story of of an 'innocent' scientist moving from one related world to another in the interests of furthering science. At first it is a wonderful travelogue describing the two worlds, their marked differences and the background of the the key character. Then two thirds of the way through, just as you wonder where this story is going, a schocking event takes place which redefines the whole story and the protagonists true relation to the people of the two worlds.

To me this is like one of the better Iain M. Banks 'Culture' novels - except this one is a rightfully regarded sci fi classic fully deserving of all the awards and praise.

Therefore don't skip reading this one. You cant claim to be a sci-fi fan without reading a Le Guin novel.