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The wave in the mind

The wave in the mind

Talks and Essays on the Writer, the Reader, and the Imagination
EssaysLiterary Fiction
Published
2000
Language
English

Synopsis

This collection gathers Ursula K. Le Guin's insightful essays, speeches, and reviews, offering a deep dive into her thoughts on literature, science fiction, fantasy, and the craft of writing. She explores the role of the imagination, the power of storytelling, and the social responsibilities of authors. The pieces reflect her unique perspective on genre, language, and the human condition.

Prose complexity
7/10

Vibe

Thought-ProvokingInformativeReflectiveIntellectual

Genres

Essays Literary Fiction Science Fiction

About the author

U
Ursula K. Le Guin

Ursula Kroeber Le Guin (née Kroeber; October 21, 1929 – January 22, 2018) was an American author. She is best known for her works of speculative fiction, including science fiction works set in her Hainish universe, and the Earthsea fantasy series. Her work was first published in 1959, and her literary career spanned nearly sixty years, producing more than twenty novels and more than a hundred short stories, in addition to poetry, literary criticism, translations, and children's books. Frequently...

Characters

All characters in The wave in the mind

Frequently asked questions

  • Where does the title of this collection come from?

    The title is inspired by a letter from Virginia Woolf to Vita Sackville-West, in which Woolf describes how a sight or emotion creates a wave in the mind long before it is translated into words.

  • Are these essays entirely new or previously published?

    While the collection includes several pieces that appeared in other venues, a significant portion of the essays and talks were published here for the first time.

  • Does this book contain purely academic literary criticism?

    The collection is quite varied, blending literary criticism with satirical performance pieces, autobiographical reflections on the author's family, and personal essays about her life in Oregon.