The Wind's Twelve Quarters Audiobook By Ursula K. Le Guin cover art

The Wind's Twelve Quarters

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The Wind's Twelve Quarters

By: Ursula K. Le Guin
Narrated by: Amy Landon, Grover Gardner, Will Watt
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The recipient of numerous literary prizes, including the National Book Award, the Kafka Award, and the Pushcart Prize, Ursula K. Le Guin is renowned for her lyrical writing, rich characters, and diverse worlds. The Wind's Twelve Quarters collects 17 powerful stories, each with an introduction by the author, ranging from fantasy to intriguing scientific concepts, from medieval settings to the future.

Including an insightful foreword by Le Guin, describing her experience, her inspirations, and her approach to writing, this stunning collection explores human values, relationships, and survival, and showcases the myriad talents of one of the most provocative writers of our time.

©2017 Ursula K. Le Guin (P)2021 HarperCollins Publishers Anthologies & Short Stories Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Science Fiction Short Stories
Immersive Worlds • Thought-provoking Themes • Impressive Range • Quality Speculative Fiction • Luminous Writing
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I don’t know how I’ve gone so many years w/o reading Le Guin, but I am so glad I found her and so very glad I started here (although I’m sure I’d have enjoyed this book even as a Le Guin vet)! This collection was such a wonderful way to experience not only Le Guins growth as a writer (I rather enjoy the earlier ones, after all), but her breadth! That’s what’s so impressive. That and that not one of these story’s disappoints (some I like far better than others, but I was thoroughly invested in each world by the time the story ended—which made it a relief to know there’s SO MUCH MORE out there!) It is possible that if I’d started w/ one or another novel, depending on which, that I’d have enjoyed it well enough, but not well enough to become to die-hard fan I am now.
Since this book, I’ve gone on to listen to a novella collection, two novels, am currently listening to a third, as well as a collection of her essays in and feminism and writing craft. This book has sent me upon a wonderful adventure, lol!
P.S. I’m not a diehard sci-if fan—or given to fandom either way—I just enjoy good writing! I’m an English major, teacher, and writer, and can be picky about what I expose myself to and spend my time on. Le Guin absolutely belongs alongside all of the 20th century greats, sci-fi and otherwise! Her prose is sparing, and content of it, dazzling and thought-provoking. I wish more of the younger generation were aware of her, and I’m going to work on that to what degree I can!
OH and I LOVED hearing her voice introduce the stories, giving tidbits of a glimpse into the past by sometimes speaking on how these were received, and enjoying very much her quips about and insight into her writing process. She’s funny and, like her writing, to the point and intriguing; this, too, surely added to me becoming so engrossed and such a fan. Get this book and just enjoy it!!!

So glad I found this! An absolute gem!

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This is a great listen of several sci-fi short stories. 1 or 2 were a little hard to follow but was doing audio vs. reading. Classics worth enjoying.

Good sci-fi selection!

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Ever wonder why people bring up mags like Amazing and Fantastic and Asimov as their all time favorite reads? Read this!

Among ones Born after great SciFi mags held short stories ?

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A solid introduction to Ursula K. Le Guin's writing, spanning her early career and showcasing her impressive range and talent for creating immersive worlds and thought-provoking themes. Both SciFi and fantasy, the stories are filled with the what ifs, why nots and how comes I associate with quality speculative fiction.

The book also contains multiple notes by Ursula that give a valuable insight into her thought process while writing. I'd recommend this collection to both her fans or newcomers.

A varied collection of quality stories

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I never felt i knew enough to understand them. Too much information is missing. Not my cup of tea!

Obscure stories

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The overmuch violence and hate didn't make for an enjoyable listen. I tried to get through all of the stories, hoping for a deviation from this theme, but quit listening.

Entirely too much violent action and speech

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Le Guin has this amazing way of taking things that are things people feeeeel, like really feel, and putting them into words, into a scene, making them tangible, if only for a moment while you are reading. Whether it's feeling like the trees are empathizing with you or guilt over the state of the world. For just one moment while you are reading a Le Guin short story, she makes sense of the senseless.

Beyond Brilliant

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I was surprised. though without good reason, with earliest stories that lack the depth and scale of imagination that are the deep pleasure of the mature writer. As a whole this collection is a great sign of the truth of the concepts of learning by doing and inner growth. If the first tales are less than you expect from Leguin, listen on and be amazed at how quickly her genius, feistiness, and rich background in anthropology become evident.

Follow the development of U K Leguin through well chosen short stories.

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Grover Gardner is an exceptional narrator . These are classics, nice bite sized stories

mostly great stories

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LeGuin’s writing is luminous. Definitely thoughtful and engaging. Really Enjoyed her perspective and the context for each story.

Great Read for fans and newcomers

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