I’ve actually recommended this book many times to people of all reading backgrounds. If you’re a woman, especially with any kind of feminist bent, you should read this book. If you’re a writer, you should read this book. If you’re both, what the hell are you waiting for? Le Guin is a must, especially for those of us struggling to define ourselves in male-dominated genres. And as mentioned behind the cut, Le Guin is passionate about diversity, so if you’re a writer who’s passionate about that, don’t discount her simply because she’s a white female. Le Guin has been noted to be one of the first writers to appeal to readers of all colors. Thank her anthropologist parents for that.

But I don’t want to limit my recommendation to just writers. Nor do I want to limit my recommendation to only readers of the science fiction/fantasy genres. Le Guin is well-educated, and it shows. She talks Woolf; she talks Stein. Her observations of the world around her will make any one paying any attention sit up and take notice. Le Guin writes with a gentle cadence and humor, and her sarcasm is as subtle as it is sharp. It takes a moment for it to sink in, and it makes you go back and think.

I’ve said it once, and I’ll say it over and over again: Le Guin makes you think. Even if you don’t agree with her, she’ll make you think.

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Readers often make the mistake that, because they have read an author’s works, they know that author. Never true. Yet, as you read, you can build a familiarity with that author if you are willing to recognize the wall that will always exist between the author and the reader. (The fallacy is probably stronger when these perceptions are built on fiction rather than essays or autobiographies.) Of all authors, I feel I “know” Harlan Ellison best. But, that is only because I’ve read his works extensively, read large volumes of his essays, listened (on tape and in person) to his lectures, and frequent his web site (where he actually posts.) All that being said – I don’t know him. I feel I would like to know him. But, until there is one-on-one conversation, none of us can begin to really know a person.

And now, after reading Dancing at the Edge of the World, I think I would like to know Ursula K. Le Guin. This is a fine collection of her essays and speaking engagements. As any full collection will be, it is uneven. However, there is a feel to them, a sense that this is an individual who cares, a sense that this is person is “human” (I have no better word.) In these essays, Le Guin comes off as someone you want to sit down with and talk about things, for a long time – personal things, important things, whatever things come up. The essays focus on feminism, social responsibility, literature, and travel, but (as with any good essay) they bring up ideas that will resonate within your personal issues and concerns. (And the things I learned – I never knew her mother wrote Ishi – a book all anthropology majors know). It’s been a while since I dog-eared a copy of a book to remember ideas – and I did so a number of times with this one – and, just imagine, part of the reason was because I saw an application in my business life as an internal auditor. A collection that is well worth the reading, and a nice introduction to, what appears to be, a wonderful human being. ( )

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there are 2 parts to this book. part is miscellaneous writing and part is book reviews. since i had not read 1 of the books i found this part boring and didn't finish it. this book is in 500 best books by women and it was very good ( )