hey OP, thanks for your post. I just bought this book for Christmas. Is it ok to read it first, without going through the previous books of the cycle?

Could you comment if UK’s xigxag would treat you equally as well?

Is it necessary to read the other books of the Hainish Cycle before reading The Left Hand of Darkness or is it fine as a stand alone title?

yeah i loved the folklore chapters and how they're relevant to the story. For instance the last one, where you learn that to Gethenians 'shadow' is used basically the same as 'soul'-you realize the extra religious/cultural significance the place on the ice-sheet with no shadows must have had for estraven in the last chapter

You may have missed it, but author Brandon Sanderson made some comments recently.

This book made me fall in love with french literature. And the only book that made me shed a tear

Yeah, poor Gatsby doesn’t realize that the old elite keep moving the bar and Daisy will never leave her old money husband for a nouveau riche man.

i quite liked listening to Aristotle and Dante Discover The Secrets of the Universe. Lin Manuel Miranda narrated it, and it was overall and enjoyable experience :)

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Dang I’ve been downvoted for not feelin part of a book in a subreddit where not continuing a book because you’re not liking it is an actual suggestion

Yes, there were large chunks of the books cut out. But they often do that with movie releases I find. Still a great effort though. I think we would all agree.

also a source of host of award winning movies and mini-series.

You tap out early.

It is a cult-classic because of all the above reasons and my heart tells me it will be appreciated by future generations as well.

I thought it was just me, because I’m admittedly supremely picky when it comes to audiobooks. I sometimes think Jim Dale ruined a lot of narrators for me. 😂

I came here to cite the same book. I picked it up randomly at the bookstore after reading the first page. Had no idea the reading experience I would have. Like you, I cried then held the book close to me. It's truly a special work of fiction when read just at the right time in someone's life.

Joyland is a kind of gentle nostalgia, quite different for him.

I'll need to read Bernard Cornwell's book on Waterloo to accompany the battle sequence. Likewise with Adam Zamoyski's book on the 1812 campaign for War and Peace.

I don't think he is. Lots of people have been saying that he is, though. The very people I was complaining about in my original comment, in fact, so we both need to work on our reading comprehension. Despite my apology, you seem intent on nitpicking things to object to, though, so I'm peacing out of this exchange. Happy new year.

Lots of parts left out of the play write but over all still incredibly amazing. The music captures the emotions so well.

The movies... Eh, just didn't do the story justice.

Nietzsche is definitely worth the effort. Don’t read Thus Spoke Zarathustra first save it for latter and try the Walter Kaufmann translation.

Yes thanks bikeidaho, there is a great musical, which is taken from the books. Thanks for reminding me!

I was intimidated too, read many times on this sub not to start with that one. One day I just picked it up to read a page or two and was completely drawn in, finished it in two days (slow reader). One of my all time favourites. Just try a couple of pages and see what you think!

Also a great Broadway play for those of you who want the TLDR version..

Just scrolled through, and realise yours was the heftily-downvoted comment - understand now. I think you're also irritated by the thread that is now entirely deleted - which I couldn't see. Your first comment is right, though - the chapter, "The Ring goes South" really is tough. It takes a downturn before then - as soon as they leave Tom Bombadil's House, it turns much darker, even, than the darkest parts of the Hobbit. I love the Hobbit and hated what the films tried to do to it, while loving the bits that were true to the story. But The Hobbit was a children's book - Lord of the Rings really isn't.

Happy to discuss this, free of acrimony and downvotes if you want.

Edit: going out for a New Year's Eve walk now. Don't let the bastards grind you down.