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Very Far Away from Anywhere Else

ursula k. le guin

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A slender, realistic story of a young man's coming of age, Very Far Away from Anywhere Else is one of the most inspiring novels Ursula K. Le Guin ever published. Owen is seventeen and smart. He knows what he wants to do with his life. But then he meets Natalie and he realizes he doesn't know anything much at all. “Like all Le Guin’s work, Very Far Away from Anywhere Else is about the invisible structures of society and about the challenge to live honestly. On a Sunday years ago I was lucky to encounter a book that could show me the breadth our lives have—that the discovery of what leads us on is better than the goal of perfection.” —Emily Schultz, Bustle “An engaging, well written novel.” — New York Times

133 pages, Paperback

First published July 1,1976
Places
massachusetts, 

This edition

Format
133 pages, Paperback
Published
October 1, 2004 by Clarion Books
ISBN
9780152052089
ASIN
0152052089
Language
English
Characters More characters

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About the author

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ursula k. le guin

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Ursula K. Le Guin published twenty-two novels, eleven volumes of short stories, four collections of essays, twelve books for children, six volumes of poetry and four of translation, and has received many awards: Hugo, Nebula, National Book Award, PEN-Malamud, etc. Her recent publications include the novel Lavinia, an essay collection, Cheek by Jowl, and The Wild Girls. She lived in Portland, Oregon.

She was known for her treatment of gender (The Left Hand of Darkness, The Matter of Seggri), political systems (The Telling, The Dispossessed) and difference/otherness in any other form. Her interest in non-Western philosophies was reflected in works such as "Solitude" and The Telling but even more interesting are her imagined societies, often mixing traits extracted from her profound knowledge of anthropology acquired from growing up with her father, the famous anthropologist, Alfred Kroeber. The Hainish Cycle reflects the anthropologist's experience of immersing themselves in new strange cultures since most of their main characters and narrators (Le Guin favoured the first-person narration) are envoys from a humanitarian organization, the Ekumen, sent to investigate or ally themselves with the people of a different world and learn their ways.

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Community Reviews

Rating(4 / 5.0, 99 votes)
5 stars
36(36%)
4 stars
28(28%)
3 stars
35(35%)
2 stars
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99 reviews All reviews
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varavar123
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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Ursula K. Le Guin is a well-known author, often recognized for "The Wizard of Earthsea". Although I was very curious about "The Wizard of Earthsea", I couldn't obtain the book no matter what. With the book in my hand, I made a small introduction to the author. But from what I heard, I read a book that is very different from the genres she wrote.

"Very Far Away from Anywhere Else" tells the exploration and questioning of the love, friendship, and life of two young people. Owen, who is different from his peers, feels different from others, which drives him into loneliness. One day, his path crosses with Natalie's in some way, and Natalie also participates in his questioning of his life and more.

I especially recommend this book to high school students. Because Owen is also experiencing the confusion of "what will I be now" that occurs in high school. But Natalie is such a planned and decisive character that she also helps Owen rise where he has fallen. Maybe it will also help you, who knows :')

The author's narration was extremely beautiful. I read it with great pleasure. I bought the book on the recommendation of a friend and had been postponing it for a long time. Actually, it is a short book of 94 pages, but for some reason, it had been forgotten. Now I'm glad it's in my hands and I've read it.
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Shikii_
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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On 31.12.2020 at 23.58, I read and finished it for the first time.

At that time, it seemed like I was in a bit of a hurry, and I thought that I needed to read it again to understand some things better.

Fate has brought me here. Since I'm reading it again, I might as well read it in English to make it complete, I said to myself.

This time, I was more calm when reading, but it doesn't mean that I didn't cry.

I don't know. I can't put my feelings about this book into words, but I also can't express them on the piano like Natalie <3.

I can only say that it has positive and powerful things.

The best thing is that I can go and discuss the parts I highlighted with my personal Owen :3.
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phantom346
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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Ursula Guin has a beautiful novella about adolescence. Our hero, Owen, is 17 years old. He feels compelled to conform to his friends in order to be accepted by the society he is in and not be alone. He tries to do what they do and tell ridiculous jokes in this pursuit. Because what his family expects of him is to be a white American like the others, suppressing his differences. This is by no means easy for Owen. Because he is a werewolf. He has other goals and a different path he wants to take. But he doesn't even have the courage to have this path accepted or expressed by those around him. When he can't fit in with others, he has created a completely different country for himself as he wanders the streets. He has shaped his country, Thorn, so beautifully that everything from the vegetation to the city structure is detailed.

Our access to his soul only begins with his friendship with Natalie, who is also a werewolf like him but in the field of music.

While Natalie is as strong and determined as Owen is hesitant. Owen decides that their friendship should turn into love. However, the glimmers they find in each other, which belong to the world of two werewolves, are overshadowed by the brightness of youth.

The effort to play the role shaped for them by their parents, as they see, is not only an American but also a delusion of the youth of the world, and ultimately, a society is formed by the same young people who hide the worlds they cannot reach within themselves.
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Darkzepheran
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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A very lovely story, without much action but a good introspection in the mind of an adolescent. It takes us on a journey through the thoughts and feelings of a young person. We get to see how they view the world around them, their hopes, their dreams, and their insecurities. The simplicity of the story allows us to focus on the inner workings of the character's mind, and it is truly a beautiful thing. It makes us realize that sometimes, the most profound moments in life are the ones that happen within us. We don't always need grand adventures or exciting events to have a meaningful experience. This story serves as a reminder that self-reflection and understanding are essential parts of growing up. It encourages us to take a step back and look at our own lives, to think about who we are and who we want to become.

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Maegos
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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A short book. It is more like a short story than a novel. Its style is unexpected compared to what I had from the author, completely realistic and there is no sign of science fiction in it. However, the story is lovely and sweet and reading it brings one to the taste.

The translation is also good and I didn't feel any confusion while reading it.

This short book offers a refreshing change. It presents a simple yet charming story that engages the reader from start to finish. The realistic nature of the narrative makes it relatable and easy to understand. Despite lacking the elements of science fiction that one might have expected, it compensates with its endearing characters and heartwarming plot.

The quality of the translation further enhances the reading experience. It allows the reader to fully immerse in the story without any distractions. Overall, this short book is a delightful read that is sure to leave a positive impression.
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Kiriyin
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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It was a style of Ursula Le Guin that I wasn't accustomed to.

I was constantly waiting for the story to break away from reality at some point, but it didn't.

The book is a beautiful, easy-to-read, and enjoyable love story.

It presents a unique world and characters that draw the reader in and keep them engaged from beginning to end.

The author's writing is细腻 and descriptive, allowing the reader to vividly imagine the scenes and emotions.

Despite not being the typical style I'm used to, I found myself thoroughly enjoying this book and would recommend it to others who are looking for a charming and engaging love story.
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PVT_Kandahar
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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I read a short book filled with profound thoughts that question humanity. The perspectives, future visions, and interpretations of some authors can be quite different. Ursula K. Le Guin is one of those authors.
Her book "The Dispossessed" tells the story of a being who, despite not belonging to society, trying hard to be accepted within it while being different in the way of seeing, feeling, and thinking.
Yes, sometimes there is a dominant group around us, and if you are a questioning type, you will be considered an outlier - in their words. However, it is important to question and express one's own thoughts and positions. Even if there is nothing else, "being oneself" is crucial.
This book makes us think deeply about our place in society, our individuality, and the importance of being true to ourselves.

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myrrhcat
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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Well, you know. It was easy to read and I liked this coming-of-age romance because I haven't read anything similar since I can remember. However, the beginning was rather weak, and the ending wasn't overly satisfying either. I found myself in Owen's thoughts more often than I would like to admit, and that's why it gets a 3.5 out of 5.

The story had its moments of charm and authenticity. The characters were relatable to some extent, especially Owen, whose internal struggles and growth were quite engaging. But there were also parts that felt a bit rushed or underdeveloped. For example, the relationship between the main characters could have been explored more deeply.

Overall, it was an okay read. It didn't blow me away, but it also didn't disappoint completely. I would recommend it to those who enjoy coming-of-age stories and don't mind a few flaws here and there. Maybe with a bit more polish and refinement, this could have been a really great book.

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