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Ursula Kroeber Le Guin (1929–2018) was a towering figure in modern speculative fiction, whose work reshaped the boundaries of both science fiction and fantasy. With groundbreaking novels such as A Wizard of Earthsea and The Left Hand of Darkness, she brought unparalleled literary sophistication and philosophical depth to the genres, exploring themes of gender, morality, society, and human nature. Her richly imagined worlds, complex characters, and intricate mythologies challenged conventions and earned her countless awards and nominations across an extraordinary career.
An incredibly versatile author, she ventured beyond fantasy and science fiction to master poetry, children’s literature, essays, and historical fiction. Her work proved that speculative fiction could confront profound social, ethical, and philosophical questions while remaining immersive and imaginative. Visionary, intellectually rigorous, and endlessly inventive, Le Guin redefined what it means to craft worlds and tell stories.
With permission from The Ursula K. Le Guin Foundation.
Photo by Marian Wood Kolisch.
“The only thing that makes life possible is permanent, intolerable uncertainty: not knowing what comes next.”
— Ursula K. Le Guin, The Left Hand of Darkness ©
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