We’ve taken another hit. Ursula K. Le Guin, one of the most respected fantasy/SF/feminist writers of the last fifty-plus years has passed away at the criminally young age of 88.
Perhaps known best for her insanely influential Earthsea tales, which have been consumed and adored by countless readers globally and adapted into Radio 4 productions and a Studio Ghibli animated epic, Le Guin was a champion of the importance of fiction and writing right until the end. As well speaking publically as a lecturer and at literary events, Le Guin wrote reviews in recent years for the likes of China Miéville and M. John Harrison (both lifelong admirers of her).
Le Guin’s influence runs deep. David Mitchell (of Cloud Atlas fame), wrote a piece of the significance of Le Guin’s influence on his own writing as well as fiction in general. Mitchell points out how Le Guin focusses much more on fallibilities of magical characters; their foibles and how they handle making mistakes.
She has been acknowledged by the likes of JK Rowling, George RR Martin, Zadie Smith, Neil Gaiman, NK Jemisin, Iain M Banks, Octavia Butler, and Michael Chabon. Why not borrow A Wizard of Earthsea , the first of the Earthsea novels, from LRC WISE on standard loan.
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