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The Eye of the Heron

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The Eye of the Heron

By: Ursula K. Le Guin
Narrated by: Christina Moore
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About this listen

From multi-award-winning, literary legend Ursula K. Le Guin comes a speculative fiction classic, The Eye of the Heron.

In Victoria on a former prison colony, two exiled groups - the farmers of Shantih and the city dwellers - live in apparent harmony. All is not as it seems, however. While the peace-loving farmers labor endlessly to provide food for the city, the city bosses rule the Shantih with an iron fist. When a group of farmers decide to form a new settlement further away, the bosses retaliate by threatening to crush the "rebellion".

Luz understands what it means to have no choices. Her father is a boss, and he has ruled over her life with the same iron fist. Luz wonders what it might be like to make her own choices. To be free to choose her own destiny.

©1978 Ursula K. Le Guin (P)2019 Recorded Books Dystopian Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Science Fiction
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I was entranced and transported by this short novel. Narcissistic power-seekers wanting to dominate the People of the Peace. Sounds familiar? A theme which has become urgent in our world, played out here on a distant planet to which both groups have been exiled from Earth. The alien setting soon becomes familiar as one identifies with the characters involved in the drama. And, once again, Ursula Le Guin uses this setting to focus in on vital issues of ethics and morality: are the high principles of Peace and Reason enough to carry the day against an unscrupulous opponent? This issue is dramatically brought to the test in a tense climax. And afterwards? When we just have to go on, from day to day? And hope… ?

Entrancing

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Imagine a version of Seven Samurai where the peasants solved their problems using the principles of compromise and non-violence. I can't. I don't think anybody could. Except Ursula Le Guin.

What if the answer to violence isn't violence?

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Great book the story was touching in places, dystopian narrator was easy to listen too overall great 👍

Brilliant 🤩

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I think the dispossessed is better and on a related theme but this was easier (and shorter). As always le guin is so thought provoking and makes the familiar strange, like the great sociologist. Optimism about the human spirit - much needed in these dark times

Really enjoyed this, after a slightly off putting start

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I had never read any U. K Le Guin and this showed up as a time limited freebie on my Audible.

Another of those books I am thinking 'thank goodness I did not spend my credits on...' because, the story was ok but definitely not worth the £7.99 a credit costs me!

It had pretty much all the things I'd normally like in a sci-fi(ish) story, but it just felt very bland. The connections between the characters felt dry, unemotional, I did not really understand what pushed Luz to leave her environment, Same with all the other characters.

I am wondering if maybe this is one of these stories you're better off reading than listening to as an audiobook... Maybe I'll give it a go. There were moments where I appreciated the text more but overall not a great listen.

Just OK

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