The characters - Natalie and Owen, the narrator - are a bit...incredible. Well, not really incredible.

Natalie is focused in a way that most teenagers aren't. She has a determination and a drive that sets her apart.

Owen, on the other hand, is very, very smart and very, very stupid. His intelligence is often overshadowed by his poor decisions and lack of common sense.

The story is very beautiful and almost tragic, but not quite. It explores the confusion and uncertainty that adolescence brings.

Le Guin does a great job of capturing these emotions, but the story lacks intensity. It's told with too much detachment, as if the narrator is observing from a distance.

Le Guin has developed this voice of detachment in many of her stories with great effect, but in this slim volume, I felt it fell flat.

Still, even the flattest of Le Guin is more potent than the best of most writers. Her words have a power and a depth that few can match.

Overall, while this story may not be her best, it's still a worthy read.

First of all, the cover of this edition is completely absurd. LeGuin takes great pains to describe the main character as having messy hair and Natalie as "stocky." However, the two kids on the cover look as if they stepped right out of "The O.C.," which is precisely not the kind of people the book is about.

The problem I have with this story is that it doesn't seem like a teenage boy is speaking. At one point, he claims to be speaking the text into a tape recorder and then typing it out. But it feels more like an older woman's perception of what a teenage boy thinks about. I believe he has a much greater sense of perspective about the world than any teenage boy ever does. Also, he is just a bit too emotionally intelligent for me to suspend my disbelief. It's one thing to feel alienated, but it's another to be able to understand why.

Additionally, it's a bit strange that he doesn't talk at all like a teenage boy. However, LeGuin might be excused for this since she wrote it back in 1976. (Once again, the cover misled me.) So perhaps teenagers really did refer to each other as "fellows," and maybe calling someone a drip really did have some sting to it. Then again, maybe not.

That being said, some parts of the relationship in the story rang true for me, and it's an extremely short read, more like a long short story than even a novella.

The scary thing about this story is the fact that Owen is a 17-year-old teenager from a time before I was even born.

Yet, I perfectly understand his thought process. I can relate to him completely, despite our age difference and the general time difference.

This surely says something about this book, the fact that I found myself in it. Or perhaps it says something about me...or both.

But whether that is a good thing or not, I'm still not quite sure.

"We talked about life....And the sea was there, forty feet away and getting closer, and the sky over the sea, and the sun going down the sky.

And it was cold, and it was the high point of my life.

I'd had high points before...

But always alone. By myself.

This time I was not alone.

I was on the high mountain with a friend. There is nothing, there is nothing that beats that.

If it never happens again in my life, still I can say I was there once.”

The beauty and simplicity of Owen's words truly resonate with me. It makes me wonder about the universality of human experiences and emotions.

Despite the passage of time and the differences between us, we can still find common ground and understand each other's feelings.

It also makes me reflect on my own life and the moments that I consider to be my high points.

Have I been alone or have I had someone to share those moments with?

These are the questions that this story has raised in my mind, and I'm eager to explore them further.

"Far from Any Road" by Ursula K. Le Guin takes us to a complex dimension that incorporates, on one hand, the difficult transition between adolescence and adult life, and on the other, the anxiety experienced by many young people, caused by the expectations that parents place on their children's shoulders.

However, and no less important, is the loneliness lived and experienced by many young people and adults, which is related to the inability to integrate into social circles, often based on feelings of belonging or acculturation.

This social isolation causes enormous turmoil in those who, because of their difference, do not feel accepted and integrated socially, often self-identifying as ET's.

This work is, above all, a warning to parents who, absorbed in their problems and responsibilities, forget that children grow up, develop their own personalities and wills that must be met and understood.

It reminds us that we should not impose our expectations blindly on the younger generation but rather try to understand their needs and desires. By doing so, we can help them navigate the challenges of growing up and avoid the feelings of isolation and anxiety that can otherwise plague them.

Moreover, this story also highlights the importance of social acceptance and integration. We should strive to create a more inclusive society where everyone feels welcome and valued, regardless of their differences.

Overall, "Far from Any Road" is a thought-provoking and poignant work that offers valuable insights into the human condition.

"Very Far Away From Anywhere Else" is a remarkable work penned by Ursula K. LeGuin, who is widely renowned for her outstanding contributions to the fantasy and sci-fi genres.

However, her literary prowess extends beyond these boundaries, as demonstrated by this charming and concise novel (merely 87 pages, more akin to a novella), which is truly a gem. I had the pleasure of first reading it in 1981, a full 27 years ago. Despite the passage of time, the story's impact remains undiminished. It tells the tale of a young man who feels a profound sense of difference from his high school peers, experiencing a deep sense of isolation. He then encounters a headstrong young woman and discovers in her a true friend with whom he can be himself. Sadly, through his actions, he inadvertently ruins this crucial and life-altering friendship.

This work effectively captures the all-too-familiar high school feeling of not being understood, of feeling like an outsider. It evokes a time in life when one is still in the process of self-discovery and may feel a bit adrift. It also portrays that pivotal moment when one begins to catch a glimpse of who they are or, at the very least, who they have the potential to become.

The writing is truly excellent, devoid of any excess or overstatement. The first-person narrative strikes a perfect balance, never coming across as whiny but rather maintaining an even tone, which enhances its evocativeness. It is a book that will resonate with readers of all ages, as it delves into the universal themes of identity, friendship, and the search for belonging.

Have you ever walked down an empty street at night?

The bright lights inside the warm houses catch your eye.

People seem to be feeling all kinds of emotions, yet it has nothing to do with you.

You're outside, alone, and no one notices you or your cute dog.

Sometimes, though, it's the best.

Listening to music on headphones and getting goosebumps from favorite songs.

Everybody's souls are in this strange state of being parallel and perpendicular.

It's a complex feeling to understand.

When is it enough? When is it not?

There are possibilities in one moment and heartache in the next.

I'm afraid of hitting a wall.

I'm scared that all my interactions with others will be like communicating with a lamp post.

The kind where there's no real connection.

(Ever had a conversation with someone who leaves when someone "better" comes along or constantly checks their phone? Depressing.)

I dread the token "I see" response.

I'm so afraid of it that I stop talking altogether.

This story could have been about that for me.

The story of always growing up parallel and feeling left out.

Sadly, it wasn't.

I felt left out of Owen and Natalie's connection.

It didn't seem like a real connection to me.

The narrator, Owen, is a big part of the problem.

He's this theoretical boy who tries too hard to create drama.

Like when he bursts into his parents' house screaming, "I'm an intellectual!"

And complains about them buying him a car when he wanted the money for something else.

Ugh. His self-patting is too much for my taste.

I didn't like his generic view of the world.

It's like any bad teen movie.

The point of the story was supposed to be about being known and finding that anchor in someone.

But I never really got to know Owen.

He just labeled himself.

Maybe it's me.

I've never felt like the unappreciated "poor me" smart kid.

I just felt alone.

Get through today and don't live for a dinner party dream.

I didn't become a well-adjusted person overnight.

Wasn't Owen just using Natalie as a token teen experience?

It didn't seem like it was ever really about her.

He didn't see her for who she was.

He didn't even dream for himself.

That's the worst part.

My favorite part was when Natalie said "Yeah" in a real way.

That's when I felt like Le Guin understood the need for a real connection.

I don't know.

For these kinds of stories, I feel too separate.

Because it's not something I chose to be.

Owen chooses to be in love and awkward with Natalie.

I felt bad for the girl.

I can't understand her, but I felt bad for her.

She wanted a friend to talk to and he let her down for no good reason.

I didn't buy the "These things happen" attitude.

I don't want to look in the window and feel a loss I can't explain.

This is something you can decide.

It's okay to want things, right?

Dammit, Le Guin.

He was like a rock. Whenever I delved deep into myself and looked, that rock would always be there. I needed a rock. Something to hold onto, something to rely on. Something solid, tangible. Because everything was softening, crumbling, being buried in the mire of a swamp. The fog was thickening all around. I didn't even know where I was.

His presence was a constant in my chaotic world. Like a lighthouse in the storm, he provided a sense of stability and security. I could always turn to him, and he would be there, unwavering. In a world where everything seemed to be changing and slipping away, he was the one thing that remained the same.

I cherished his strength and his dependability. He was my anchor, keeping me from being swept away by the tides of life. Without him, I felt lost and adrift. But with him by my side, I knew that I could face anything that came my way.

I did absolutely jot like this. It didn't make any sense to me at all. When I read it, I just couldn't figure out what was going on. It was so confusing and didn't seem to have any clear meaning or purpose. I really didn't like it one bit. It left me feeling frustrated and disappointed. I don't know if it was because of the way it was written or if there was something else wrong with it. But whatever the reason, it just didn't appeal to me. I hope that in the future, I will come across something that is more interesting and engaging.

This is truly beautiful.

It is a novella rather than a full-length novel, yet it describes the chaos of being a teenager who doesn't fit in such a clean and precise way.

Le Guin shows the same level of exactitude and love towards modern-day human Earth teenagers as she does towards any of her fictional species.

Her writing allows us to see the inner turmoil and struggles of these teenagers with great clarity.

We can empathize with their feelings of not belonging and their search for identity.

The story unfolds in a way that keeps us engaged and interested, despite its relatively short length.

Le Guin's skill as a writer is on full display here, as she creates a world that is both familiar and yet unique.

Overall, this is a wonderful piece of literature that is well worth reading.

Here is another reading of Ursula that leaves a taste in the mouth.

Searching for an answer that doesn't exist can only be told in such an enjoyable way.

"We think we know what we expect, but in fact we can't; what you expect will not happen, and what you don't expect will come true."

This passage by Ursula seems to offer a profound perspective on life. It makes us realize that our expectations are often unreliable. We may plan and anticipate certain outcomes, but more often than not, reality has a way of surprising us.

Perhaps this is a reminder to be open-minded and flexible in our approach to life. Instead of rigidly adhering to our expectations, we should be prepared for the unexpected and embrace it when it comes.

Ursula's words encourage us to look beyond the obvious and consider the possibilities that lie outside of our comfort zones. By doing so, we may discover new opportunities and experiences that we never thought possible.

In conclusion, this reading of Ursula offers valuable insights into the nature of expectation and the importance of being adaptable in the face of life's uncertainties.

So it turns out that the best YA novel ever was published approximately 50 years ago.

I can't say that I'm surprised, considering it's Le Guin who is writing "a different kind of love story" between two high school seniors.

One of them is a loner and self-proclaimed "bright little jerk", while the other is an aspiring composer whose favorite book is Wuthering Heights.

But I mean, this was far from the light read with which I was expecting to end the year.

Le Guin's writing in this novel is so profound and thought-provoking. It delves deep into the emotions and psyches of the two main characters, exploring their insecurities, dreams, and the complex relationship that develops between them.

The story is not just a simple love story; it's a commentary on society, adolescence, and the power of art.

It makes you think about the choices we make, the people we become, and the impact that our actions have on those around us.

Overall, this novel is a masterpiece that has stood the test of time and continues to resonate with readers today.

This was so cute.

Completely innocent and easy. The book is about itself, that is, about the existence and wonder among the young. I liked it.

I warmly recommend it, a rather unknown little romance.

It's a charming piece of literature that offers a simple yet engaging story.

The characters are relatable and the plot is filled with moments of youthful exploration and discovery.

Despite its small size, it manages to convey a lot of emotions and ideas.

Whether you're a fan of romance or just looking for a light read, this book is definitely worth checking out.

Give it a chance and you might be pleasantly surprised.