The Unreal and the Real: Selected Stories of Ursula K. Le Guin, Volume Two: Outer Space, Inner Lands

By: Ursula K. Le Guin

Narrated by: Tandy Cronyn

Outer Space, Inner Lands includes many of the best known Ursula K. Le Guin nonrealistic stories (such as "The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas," "Semley' s Necklace," and "She Unnames Them") which have shaped the way many listeners see the world. She gives voice to the voiceless, hope to the outsider, and speaks truth to power - all the time maintaining her independence and sense of humor.

Companion volume Where on Earth explores Le Guin's satirical, risky, political and experimental earthbound stories. Both volumes include new introductions by the author.

©2012 Ursula K. LeGuin (P)2014 Recorded Books

It was easy to like

Most of the stories were refreshingly odd. Well written, and enjoyable.

I loved almost everything. The narrator was ok. But the stories were very entertaining.

Surreal & Stunning!

This was my first full foray into the bright-dark world of Le Guin, and as with many famed authors I am easing into for the first time, a sharp collection of electric short stories was the right call for me— and if the same is true for you, start here, but know as I have learned that Le Guin did not come to make you feel comfortable. Much in the vein of Mary Shelley in the 19th and Margaret Cavendish in the 17th century, Le Guin’s work does not so much disturb as she does destabilize. She doesn’t want to throw you into a “new” or “blazing world” (even when she does) for the sake of the imagined world; she is doing so to draw into the light the familiar grievances that are so ingrained in our “real” lives that we cannot see, much less be outraged by them. But that’s her art— you aren’t familiar with the planet or the people or their social structures; but you do (hopefully) recognize misogyny, racism, classism, ableism, discrimination, cruelty, and exploitation when you see it in a narrative, and you notice it in all of its gore because it’s the only thing that looks familiar. To this end, Le Guin not only picks up the tradition of science fiction as a vehicle of cultural destabilization (as with Shelley and Cavendish); but recasts this legacy in the atmosphere of 20th century “progress”— to blast down confining, finite (the truly performative “unreal”) constructs of the very “real” infinities of science fiction. Also, pro-tip: I usually speed through books at 1.5-2x pace, but this does a disservice to both Le Guin’s art and Tandy Cronyn’s performance. Stay between 1-1.3x for full-force.

Enjoyable

Great stories even for those not into science, but would have benefited from a longer pause between each.

beautiful short stories that make you think

love this! the stories are beautifully done and great for thinking about why things are.

A Gathering of Great Tales

Ursula K. Le Guin at her finest in spinning many fascinating tales of far away worlds, yet familiar beings.

Tandy Cronyn does an excellent job of narrating.