Rocannon's World

By: Ursula Le Guin

Narrated by: Stefan Rudnicki

Length: 5 hrs and 5 mins

Publisher's Summary

This debut novel from preeminent science-fiction writer Ursula Le Guin introduces her brilliant Hainish series, set in a galaxy seeded by the planet Hain with a variety of humanoid species, including that of Earth. Over the centuries, the Hainish colonies have evolved into physically and culturally unique peoples, joined by a League of All Worlds. 

Earth-scientist Rocannon has been leading an ethnological survey on a remote world populated by three native races: the cavern-dwelling Gdemiar, the elvish Fiia, and the warrior clan Liuar. But when the technologically primitive planet is suddenly invaded by a fleet of ships from the stars, rebels against the League of All Worlds, Rocannon is the only survey member left alive. Marooned among alien peoples, he leads the battle to free this newly discovered world and finds that legends grow around him as he fights.

©1966 Ursula LeGuin (P)2007 Blackstone Audio Inc.

good story, poor editing

As usual this author turns in an excellent story, however the editor fell down on their job. Several paragraphs are repeated verbatium and the joins overlap between cuts in several places. Slightly frustrating for listeners.

Not all roads that lead down lead up as well

“Not all roads that lead down lead up as well.”
― Ursula K. Le Guin, Rocannon's World

'Rocannon's World' is the first book in LOA's Ursula K. Le Guin: Hainish Novels and Stories, Vol. 1. It was Ursula Le Guin's first published novel (1966) and the beginning of her Hainish Cycle, 'Rocannon's World' is beautiful literature and not just poetic SciFi. It reads like a Space Opera told with Fantasy characters in the style of The Saga of Gunnlaug Serpent-tongue, or some other Norse myth.

Negatives? It was a bit short, a bit light, but I can excuse most of that knowing that Le Guin is simply building a grand story and this is just one clever brick, one stone in the crown that will be Hainish.

Needs editing but good story

There are several parts that are repeated through out the book....editors messed up.

However this is good story line. I enjoyed the plots within the plots. It reminded me of a little bit of Ender's Choices after Battle school.

Legends Arise

This is Ursula Le Guin's debut novel and one of the earliest in her Hannish cycle. This time, the focus is on mythology and legends in the time before the Ekumen. This novel isn't as polished as her later Hannish novels such as The Dispossessed or Left Hand of Darkness, but fans of Le Guin still will find a lot to enjoy here; I certainly did. Actually, it opens with a very impressive short story, which may justify a credit in and of itself. Overall, is recommended giving this a go.

Potent

I definitely enjoyed this book. The only thing that bothers me about it is I feel like there are some loose ends, things about which I would have liked to know more. The author employees what seems to me poetic prose in many portions especially while establishing the feel for the alien languages. That might be a lot for some people to chew but I liked it.

P.S. I hate the cover picture for this audiobook. The artwork does not do this book any justice.

Needs a different narrorator!

The story itself is good. I believe this was her first published book and you can really tell. Her later works, in my opinion, are far better. My main gripe is the narrorator. Good Lord (again my opinion) he was terrible! He has a naturally deep voice, which is great, but he was so monotoned. All the characters sounded exactly alike. He also didn't seem like he cared at all about this book. It comes across like he put zero effort into it. If you do voices for audio books you should put some life into it. It was so hard to get through this book because of him. I will be physically rereading this book soon. It's not the book/author's fault the narrorator was so awful and boring.

The Hobbit by way of Rod Serling

I am not exaggerating when I say this is now my favorite book and I'm mad I didn't read it when i was younger.

Absolutely fantastic melding of D&D mythic fantasy and science fiction. I loved the world, loved the characters, loved the story.

Seeing reviews saying there are editing problems but writing this in early 2022 I think those have been fixed in this edition.

Not a good performance of a favorite author

I love Ursula K Leguin books but unfortunately it is not possible to distinguish the characters from the narrator's performance. A narrator for an audiobook needs to put on a voice performance where the listener can understand who "talks".

Okay, but not as good as later works

I bought this because I thought it would be the setup for the beginning of the Hainish cycle, since it is one of LeGuin's oldest books. Not really, and the characters and plot aren't remotely as strong as The Dispossessed or Left Hand of Darkness. It's a fun read, but she definitely evolved as a writer!

Lovely prose, good story

I love Le Guin and her way of making every phrase a poem. This book in addition to being beautiful to listen to is well constructed and a good story that left me happy and pleased with the end.