LeGuin writes from the place of myth and archetype, with attention to rhythm and place; she eschews writing instruction and studies great writers like Tolkien and great thinkers like C.G. Jung. Much discussion of the collective conscious (trvial) and the collective unconscious (gold mine). ( )

A collection of essays, talks, and introductions written by Le Guin. Together, they give quite a bit of insight into her motivations for and attitude toward writing. This information is always interesting when coming from a talented, accomplished writer.

What struck me the most in this book were the degree to which her thinking is inundated by Jungian psychoanalytic jargon, her preoccupation with feminist rhetoric, and her subjectivist interpretation of "truth". From my experience with her fiction, I expected a much saner person. ( )

So writers of the SF/F persuasion? Go get this book. You may find used copies on Amazon.com, but my used online bookstore of choice is abebooks.com. I need to own this book. And if you write SF/F, you do too.

For a full review, just click here: http://calico-reaction.livejournal.co... ( )

By Hain, I love this book! I read it in an indescribably awful B&B in Norwich during the BtVS conference at UEA. It was so cold, I couldn't sleep, so I stayed up all night, in three layers of clothes, reading and rereading this book. Finally, I warmed up enough to get to sleep - and shortly thereafter, the evil harridan who ran the place came and woke me up 'cause I was holding up the kitchen. On a Sunday. While the mere mention of Norwich induces shivers in me, I have only the fondest memories of this book and its (almost literal) warmth. Although I don't share Le Guin's enthusiasm for the style of Lord Dunsany, I am inspired and energised by pretty much everything else she has to say. ( )

How to make a great sci-fi/fantasy world by one of the genre's greats. ( )