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Ivan J. Kirk's avatar

i remember looking at LHOD in a class once. amid a predictably abstract discussion of genre, subversion, etc., one of the students said something like ‘i just really like when they're walking together, becoming friends, it made me feel nice’. which was the aptest thing: those moments of sublime connection are where le guin absolutely sings. moments worth staking a life on.

poignant essay—the notion of having spent one's 20s choosing death is, uh, resonant

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James Worth's avatar

Honestly, that part totally surprised me! It was sort of the last thing I expected that the whole back half of the book would just be two people traveling across a barren wasteland. I was confused by it at first but by the end I was like, holy shit that was kinda what the whole book was about. It really was a nice feeling.

I am always a little sorry when someone resonates with an essay of mine that is like this one lol, it's tough, but it's also real. Thanks for the kind words, Ivan(:

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Lee West's avatar

I can’t tell if you laughed an evil laugh or a sad one writing this, or which one I feel when I read your stuff. It’s a good feeling. I don’t know why. Excited to read the novel.

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James Worth's avatar

You know, I can't say I'm sure either. It's a dense and complicated sort of laugh for certain. Thanks as always, Lee, I appreciate your kind words(:

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Esther Bradley-DeTally's avatar

Great name!!!

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Esther Bradley-DeTally's avatar

your writing is intriguing, no matter the subject; hope to read again, can't subscribe yet. best e

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sonja ringo's avatar

I loved reading this! And I love Ethel Cain <3 hehehe

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Peter Smetanick's avatar

Well written, an enchantingly dark yet uplifting piece.

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