The Wind's Twelve Quarters

Stories

De: Ursula K. Le Guin

Narrado por: Amy Landon, Grover Gardner, Will Watt

“Splendidly intricate and hugely imaginative tales.” —Newsweek

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 seventeen 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.

The stories included in the collection are:

• Semley's Necklace
• April in Paris
• The Masters
• Darkness Box
• The Word of Unbinding
• The Rule of Names
• Winter's King
• The Good Trip
• Nine Lives
• Things
• A Trip to the Head
• Vaster than Empires and More Slow
• The Stars Below
• The Field of Vision
• Direction of the Road
• The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas
• The Day Before the Revolution

So glad I found this! An absolute gem!

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!!!

Good sci-fi selection!

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.

Among ones Born after great SciFi mags held short stories ?

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

A varied collection of quality stories

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.

Obscure stories

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