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Ursula K. Le Guin, one of the greatest science fiction and fantasy writers of all time, sadly passed away yesterday at the age of 88. Her writing career spans six decades, from 1959 right up until 2017, and her writings include speculative fiction, realistic fiction, non-fiction, screenplays, librettos, essays, poetry, speeches, translations, literary critiques, and children's fiction. Although most famous for her Earthsea books, she wrote dozens of speculative fiction novels and short stories, and she must be counted among the most significant names in the history of the genre.

R.I.P.

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    Le Guin influenced me more than perhaps any other sci-fi/fantasy writer I've read. I've always marveled at her ability to write so concisely, while still creating worlds rich with cultural and philosophical trappings. The Earthsea series remains of my all time favorites to this day (I swear, if I read one more Amazon review calling them "A poor man's Harry Potter"...), particularly The Tombs of Atuan.
    – Helbent IV
    Commented Jan 24, 2018 at 0:38
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    So sad. Her mother lived to a very old age. I had hoped she'd stay with us into her 90s or beyond.
    – Adamant
    Commented Jan 24, 2018 at 6:07
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    I admit to never really understanding Earthsea, but someone handed me a collection that had The Ones Who Walk Away From Omelas, which clawed into a deep place and never let go. I'll miss her.
    – Radhil
    Commented Jan 24, 2018 at 14:03
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    @Radhil I didn’t realize The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas was LeGuin! I read it in high school; excellent story. Earthsea has been on my to-read list for ages, and I never realized I had actually already read something by her.
    – KRyan
    Commented Jan 24, 2018 at 18:58
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    Whilst not my favourite fantasy series, I've never read anything that so effectively evokes a fear of darkness and shadows as the Earthsea books (not even Lovecraft), nor a magical system as interesting as the 'true name' concept. Definitely a very notable series and author. I should try some of her other works.
    – razethestray
    Commented Jan 25, 2018 at 13:42
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    To me, Le Guin is one of the few who could see beyond the capitalist system and describe a perfectly functioning anarcho-communist society to skeptics. Her works, while being one of the best sci-fi works I ever read, are much more than sci-fi. I will miss her.
    – user65648
    Commented Jan 25, 2018 at 15:13
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    My sole exposure to Le Guin has been the Catwings books, but I found them delightful and shared them with my son. Perhaps I shall pick up her better known works as well.
    – Wildcard
    Commented Jan 25, 2018 at 23:27
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    I read about a dozen books by Le Guin over the course of a few years without ever realizing it was the same author. It was only when I was putting together a list of books I'd loved for an assignment that I realized that her name kept popping up, over and over. I think I speak for everyone when I say her loss is a loss for the entire species.
    – Nic
    Commented Feb 5, 2018 at 7:58

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