If you're seeking a tale about how I triumphed in winning my basketball letter and attaining fame, love, and fortune, then this isn't the read for you. I'm truly unsure of what I accomplished during the six months that I'm about to disclose. I did achieve something, without a doubt, but I suspect it might consume the remainder of my life to uncover precisely what that is.

So commences this book penned by an author renowned for her astute adult science fiction novels and equally intelligent fantasy novels for young adults. However, Ursula Le Guin has also crafted a few contemporary young adult fiction books, brimming with the same sensitivity and thought-provoking substance found within those other literary works.

In this particular book, Owen, a seventeen-year-old in the midst of his senior year of high school, relates his story to the reader while simultaneously recording it on tape, with the intention of having it typed up later in book form. Owen is a solitary individual, an intellectual, yet not a stereotypical nerd. He is a young man filled with thoughts and introspection, one who has not established any profound connections with anyone, save for his intellectual pursuits centered around science. He does have two male friends with whom he regularly engages in lighthearted antics, and he has joined groups at school. But he is acutely aware that he is leading a pretend life in a pretend world, no different from the one he conjured up as a child. However, that imaginary world known as Thorn, a utopian haven for Owen during his younger years, is no longer a tenable abode now that he is on the cusp of adulthood and teetering on the verge of a breakdown.

Owen has no inkling of who he is. He only knows who he isn't. He has no desire to be defined by a group or by the expectations that others have of him. He craves the space to discover how he will fill the void that will become his life. He wishes to cast his own mold rather than being molded by others. But the pressure to conform and to please is intense. His mother wants him to attend the local state college the following year, citing financial and safety reasons. But Owen harbors dreams of attending MIT, and the decisions regarding his life seem to be slipping out of his grasp. And it all reaches a boiling point one day when his father presents him with an extravagant gift that he doesn't desire. He fears that his life will ultimately mirror that of his parents. And the issue with that is, he is not like them, nor like anyone else he knows. That is, until he encounters Natalie, an independent-minded young woman in his grade whose musical talent and ambition to achieve her goals prompt Owen to wonder if he too might take control and realize his own aspirations.

This book, which is targeted at young adults grappling with the same identity issues and insecurities as Owen, can actually prove useful and be appreciated by adults with children, as well as by adults who are undergoing transitions in their lives at any age. The book is written in a straightforward manner, although at times it was arduous to read, given the pervasive sadness and bouts of hopelessness that Owen confronted. But to the author's credit, there were no magical solutions to Owen's problems, nor was there any one magical person who emerged as his salvation, except perhaps himself by the end, which was merely the beginning.

This is a simple short novel.

Unlike other works of Tolkien in the science fiction and fantasy genre, this story is realistic.

The book didn't have a particularly strong or weak character portrayal.

However, it had an interesting theme. That is, life is not the answer but the question itself, and we are the ones who are the answer!

And that being different and apart from the path of other people is not a bad thing in itself. Although this path is not supposed to be easy. We will be left alone on this path... very, very much... and there will be pain.

But if we are lucky, we will succeed in our goals... and one day we will find someone who understands our inner world!

Ursula K. Le Guin's 94-page wonderful novella is truly a gem that I loved very much.

It offers a very realistic and profound account of growing up, charting one's own path, and first love.

The story takes the reader on a journey through the protagonist's experiences, allowing us to witness their transformation and self-discovery.

The author's writing style is engaging and immersive, making it easy to become invested in the characters and their lives.

Le Guin's exploration of these themes is both thought-provoking and relatable, as we can all identify with the challenges and joys of growing up and finding our place in the world.

Overall, this novella is a must-read for anyone who enjoys well-written stories that explore the human experience.

Ursula K. Le Guin is well-known for her science fictions, fantasies, and various creations.

However, in this tiny 94-page novella that works wonders, the great master lets us listen to the words from the heart of truth.

In this romance that can also be classified as young-adult, it actually contains snapshots from the lives of many of us.

Le Guin, with her plain yet striking language, tells everything as it is, breathing the breath of realism into all her characters and thus telling us about ourselves.

With countless underlined sentences, it deals with growing up, loneliness, and that moment when you realize you are different - whether you will embrace society or find the strength to take confident steps on a crooked path.

It's a warm story like "The Children in the Rye", but with its own texture.

Is it to decide to fall in love or to actually be in love? To be a man in the eyes of others or a lover or a friend? To be a scientist and accept loneliness and get rid of everything towards the goal, or to return to being a white American under the warm wings of the family?

Our main character Owen will do all the things that every reader does in this dilemma, stumble, and we will grope with him. Just like we did in our own lives once upon a time.

"Far From Everywhere" is a wonder that I wish I had read in my adolescence. I found a lot of myself in it.

Owen's experiences, his attempts to be accepted by society, family, and so-called friends, were very familiar to me.

From school and career choices to every moment of life, having a chance to confront the "others" who came before us through the warmth of a mother's hand, a mirror like Owen, and a friend like Natalie is a great opportunity.

This book is a 94-page witness to the unbearable lightness of being "Far From Everywhere", of being different, of pressing one's difference to one's chest, and of not being ashamed of one's mind but rather becoming numb within society.

Imge Kitabevi has reprinted it exactly 12 years later. With Semih Aksözlü's flawless translation and under the editorship of Güleda A. Berkalp, don't miss it when it is brought together with us.

If you are younger than me, read this book now and continue on your way with confident steps. If your age is close to or greater than mine, then let's go together to that high peak that is very, very far from everything and, with our feet hanging down, talk about those old, chaotic but beautiful, noisy days. What do you say?

- Hazal ÇAMUR

For the full review: http://kayiprihtim.com/inceleme/her-y...

This book was truly a purchase based on the cover alone. I was window shopping for vintage covers on betterworldbooks as I am miles away from a used books store.

It more or less lived up to my approximation of what a YA romance by Ms Le Guin would be like. It was poignant, filled with a sense of longing and really spoke to the heart, at least mine.

And, in true K. Le Guin fashion, it somehow manages to touch on some rather hefty social issues right alongside those typical growing pain issues. What's remarkable is that it does so without any heavy-handedness whatsoever and without missing a beat.

"Review" lifted from my bookstagram blurb... https://www.instagram.com/p/BLYNQY3DoT6/

Perhaps this isn't the typical work of LeGuin. It's just a novella that tells the story of a guy experiencing the common teenage existentialism. And it does this quite well. In fact, I might have had a greater appreciation for it 30 years ago. However, LeGuin's prose is truly remarkable and goes a long way in making this novella engaging and thought-provoking. Her writing style has a certain charm and elegance that draws the reader in and keeps them hooked until the very end. Despite not being her most famous or complex work, this novella still showcases her talent as a writer and her ability to explore the human condition in a unique and interesting way.

I don't read a great deal of regular fiction. However, this particular book caught my attention for several reasons.

Firstly, it is written by Ursula K. Le Guin, a highly respected author.

Secondly, it is extremely short, which made it an appealing choice for a quick read.

Thirdly, it was a discard from the library that I used to visit as a child. My grandmother volunteered as a front desk person there for 20 years, so it held a certain sentimental value.

Finally, I was in need of something completely different from the depressing vampire/zombie post-apocalyptic stories that seem to be so popular these days.

The book was indeed a very quick read. I liked the characters of Owen and Natalie and enjoyed watching their friendship unfold. Although the story wasn't overly exciting and Owen sometimes acted foolishly (which was completely in character for a teenage male), I still found it enjoyable. Le Guin also introduced some really interesting ideas, such as Owen creating an imaginary country and spending years developing its history, culture, landscape, and geography. Additionally, if you have an interest in music, there are many ideas explored related to music and its creation.

I'm glad I was able to breeze through this book as part of my mission to read more of Ursula K. Le Guin's work. So far, I've only read her Earthsea novels, but I'm looking forward to exploring some of her science fiction as well.

Ursula K. Le Guin is a renowned author who has crafted many magnificent stories. One such story, when read in a single breath, is truly a remarkable experience.

Her writing has the power to transport readers to different worlds, filled with unique characters and complex plotlines.

The story unfolds in a seamless manner, captivating the reader's attention from the very beginning.

Le Guin's use of language is masterful, painting vivid pictures in the reader's mind and evoking a range of emotions.

As the story progresses, the reader becomes fully immersed in the narrative, eager to discover what will happen next.

The twists and turns keep the reader on the edge of their seat, making it impossible to put the book down.

Overall, this story by Ursula K. Le Guin is a literary gem that should not be missed.

It is a testament to her talent as a writer and her ability to create engaging and unforgettable stories.

Ursula K. Le Guin's "Very Far Away from Anywhere Else" is a short novel about two intelligent 17-year-old youths who believe that life is not an answer but a question, and each person can find the answer on their own.

Owen, who loves science, and Natalie, who is passionate about music, choose not to be like others and face the hardships of being different. Their remarkable friendship is compressed into 94 pages.

With its simple and yet striking narrative, this is a book that I would first recommend to my daughter and then to everyone, especially young people.

"The place where you really have to make decisions is the world outside of school. Don't you ever decide not to make decisions and just let the wind carry you wherever it blows?"

Short, but very charming.

I think this is the first Le Guin book I've read that's not 'genre' in any way.

It's a unique work that defies easy categorization.

The story is concise yet manages to convey deep emotions and ideas.

Le Guin's writing style is as captivating as ever.

She has a way of painting vivid pictures in the reader's mind with just a few words.

The characters are well-developed and relatable, despite the brevity of the narrative.

This book has left a lasting impression on me.

It shows that great literature doesn't have to be long and complex.

Sometimes, a short and charming piece can have just as much impact.

I look forward to reading more of Le Guin's works that break the boundaries of traditional genres.

Farther than any other place, but closer to myself than any other book. Maybe if I wanted to rate it like other books, the score of this book might not be more than 3.5. But from the very beginning when I started reading, it seemed as if it was me. Maybe more than 90% of these events had happened exactly to me, and that's why I really liked this book. It was a bit like "Nader and Simin: A Separation" for me. The story of a内向 boy named "he" who is afraid that in order to be seen and recognized, he must be the same as the group, and then he makes a friend named "Natalie" and other events...

A part of the text of the book:

Contact with others didn't bring any benefit to a person. I was alone. I was always alone. During that short period with him, I could pretend that I wasn't alone, but in reality, I was, and finally, I proved this to him too. I forced him to turn away from me and go to the same place where the others went. This wasn't a big problem either. The fact that I was alone wasn't a problem. I had to accept this instead of pretending. I wasn't one of those people who could easily fit into this kind of social gathering. The idea that someone likes me is ridiculous. On what basis should they like me?

Years ago, I read this book either at the end of my high school years or at the beginning of my university years. I don't exactly remember the date. Nor could I remember what it was about until I read it again. But I remembered how it made me feel. I read it again during such a cool and rainy autumn period. It was wonderful to relive those feelings instead of just remembering them. Years later, one day, with the desire to relive it again.

I didn't write about what the book was about, and I know that. I'm not very interested in what it was about. Let me end with a quote from the book:

I had lived such beautiful moments before. Once, in the fall, I walked in the park in the rain at night. Once, in the middle of the desert, I wandered under the stars and then returned to the rotating earth on its axis. This would come to my mind when I thought of someone, and I would go into the thoughts of the branches. But always alone, when I was by myself. This time I wasn't alone. I had a friend with me at the top of the majestic mountain. There can be nothing more beautiful than this, nothing at all. Even if I never experience such a thing again, it doesn't matter. I say to myself that I have lived what I will live.