My very first encounter with Ursula Le Guin!

When I was younger, I had a great fondness for some science fiction and fantasy works. However, in the many, many years that followed, I didn't read much in these genres. I truly missed the way they delve into societal issues and the personal problems that arise from them. It's quite evident that Le Guin is highly proficient in this psychological aspect.

The story contains vivid descriptions such as "working in groceries you saw a lot of people scolding the mushrooms, and crazies like the shoplifter who tried to bribe his way out or the guy who pulled a knife on Donna when she refused to cash his check without ID; and people doing things that might have a reason but looked pretty weird, such as buying forty-eight bottles of germ killer spray and a can of water chestnuts. What all these people had in common, as well as he could figure it out, was a kind of getting out of gear, out of synch. The engine made a noise but no power got to the wheels. They were stuck."

This story is centered around fear. It chronicles the journey that two individuals who are stuck take in order to confront their fears and get back in synch. The profound statement "For the time beyond the clocks is always now and the way to forever is now" adds a layer of depth and philosophical思考 to the narrative.

Overall, my initial experience with Le Guin's work has been quite engaging and thought-provoking.

Yazardan, I have read many books, but one of the best is this.

Creating a magical world and presenting it in a modest language is not something that everyone can do, but Ursula has accomplished it.

Two young people whose lives are full of ups and downs in the forest discover a door that leads to another place, the "Starting Place".

This door is not the kind that we can see and enter directly. It is an invisible but palpable door.

It is located in the middle of a river and a simple but precious forest, which is looked at by the characters with a sacred gaze.

By simple, I mean that it is not a place full of exaggerated and enchanting descriptions. It is a forest that you might encounter if you go on a picnic today.

This makes the reading even better because you have the right to think, "Why can't I find that door?"

Moreover, there is always a path that is walked on, and there are dangers on the path. The concept of walking on the path, which is the foundation of Eastern philosophy, is one of the main themes of the book.

In addition, the river (or stream) represents a sacred boundary in the place. It is the boundary where a person leaves aside his problems and worldly fears and takes the necessary step.

It is like an initiation process. For example, like the entrance to the Koru in The Underworld.

There, what Ursula means by the Koru is the place where Nirvana can be reached. Nirvana means "beyond the Koru" in the Pali language.

What they find beyond the door is perhaps the end and the beginning, like a snake eating its own tail.

Another theme is the young - adult theme. The Starting Place is also a very successful example for the young - adult genre.

I think it is better than in her book Far From Everywhere. The characters there were younger in age.

This time, when the characters are in the process of transitioning from youth to adulthood, Ursula has been able to express her style more freely.

And of course, the feminist perspective has once again created wonders.

Expect a mysterious but modest story. And if you are reading the author for the first time, do not start with this book. Read The Starting Place if you know and love Ursula's style.

Because if you read it without knowing Ursula, you will see it as a classic story. But when you read it as a lover of Ursula, you will see how she has transformed this classic story into a wonderful work by adding her own style.

Different pacing than books I'm used to but it was worth the read. This particular work had a unique rhythm that initially threw me off. The story didn't unfold in the familiar, gradual manner I was accustomed to from other books. Instead, it had sudden bursts of action and moments of intense focus followed by stretches of slower, more contemplative scenes. At first, I found it a bit challenging to adjust my reading pace. However, as I delved deeper into the narrative, I began to appreciate the artistry behind this distinct pacing. It added an element of surprise and kept me on the edge of my seat throughout. By the end of the book, I realized that this different approach had enhanced the overall reading experience, making it one that I will remember for a long time.

I can never bring myself to say no to Ursula K. Le Guin. Her books have always been a source of inspiration for me, both as a reader and a writer.

The Beginning Place was no exception, although its writing style is quite distinct from the other books I've read by her. Set in the modern period (specifically, the 1980s when it was published), the story revolves around Hugh Rogers and Irena Pannis. Both of them have less than ideal lives, burdened with difficult and abusive parents.

By chance, both characters discover what they call The Beginning Place, a land immersed in a perpetual twilight. They eventually find their way to the nearest village of Tembreabrezi. However, all is not well in this twilight land, and soon Hugh and Irena find themselves caught up in the conflicts of the place.

The writing style of this book is much more of a stream-of-consciousness compared to other books by Le Guin. As a result, there were times when I struggled to precisely understand what was happening. Nevertheless, the writing is beautiful, and you truly hope that Hugh and Irena will come through okay. It's also a relatively quick read, making it perfect for a weekend.

CW: sexual harassment and assault, emotional abuse.

This is one of those stories that lies between fantasy and science fiction.

And it is only adults who would be tempted to classify it. It has the appeal of a fable.

This narrative force of something that could be told a long time from now, and that we imagine has been told many times before.

And a metaphorical weight that refers to other things that are not said, but seem to be there, and inside, as soon as they wake up, with the telling of the story.

And I think they will follow for a long time.

This is a story that can be told to children, in an abbreviated version.

There was a country that was located...

It can be told to friends, by the fire.

It can be reread.

And we can easily make it our own.

It has this mysterious incompleteness.

This need to give it an explanation, or a purpose.

I will not tell the story, so as not to spoil the reading for anyone.

Ursula K. Le Guin does it very well.

Although this particular work was not among my absolute favorite creations of LeGuin, the premise it presented was truly captivating. The idea of a land that exists just beyond the boundaries of our perception is both mysterious and alluring. As I delved into the story, it moved along at a brisk pace, keeping my attention firmly engaged.

What made this read even more interesting was the way it made me think differently about other people. It was as if a new perspective had been opened up for me. When I went shopping at the market, I found myself looking at the people around me in a way that I had never considered before. I began to wonder if there were hidden aspects of their lives, just like the hidden land in the story.

This book had a profound impact on my thinking and perception, and for that, I am grateful. It showed me that there is always more to the world and the people in it than meets the eye.

This is a truly boring book. It is filled with so many elements that are left unexplained, leaving the reader feeling frustrated and confused. The characters within the story lack any real depth or interest, making it difficult to form any sort of connection with them.

Moreover, the story itself is completely uninspiring. It fails to engage the reader's imagination or draw them into the narrative. There is no sense of excitement or anticipation as the plot unfolds.

Overall, this book is a disappointment. It lacks the necessary ingredients to make it a worthwhile read. The unexplained aspects, uninteresting characters, and uninspiring story all combine to create a rather dull and forgettable experience.

2.5 stars, rounded up because it's Ursula and because I think the writing was impaired by the translation.

This story didn't work for me. I was bored with the repetitive descriptions of the paths and the trees and the streams and the mountains - and I love all of those things! The fact that it took me 10 days to read such a small book is an indication of my lack of interest.

I never felt empathy with the characters. The \\"monster/fear\\" issue is not explained, neither its existence nor its relation to the villagers, which annoyed me. There are several other aspects left unexplained, sentences that seem to \\"drop from the sky\\" and whose meaning in the context of the narrative wasn't clear to me.

This is obviously an allegory for the need to escape reality when it becomes unbearable and for the process of inner transformation related to the transition to adult life - or so I understood it. But maybe I missed the point altogether.

Although this was published in a sci-fi collection, in my opinion it's pure fantasy. Having enjoyed the Earthsea books so much, I fail to understand what happened here. Maybe it's the translation that didn't do justice to the original work. Or perhaps it's just not my cup of tea.

(review in English below)

Search, fear, acceptance, and journey. These four words constantly came to my mind from the beginning to the end of this book. As it approached the middle of its fluidity, it increased significantly and the rest ended in a flash. Le Guin has presented a very touching book that you can feel beneath the sentences you read. Reading what she has written never makes me regret. Every time, the emotionally charged subtexts add to my admiration. Reading Le Guin makes me very happy. The starting point is also no different from other books, but it is a book that maintains its impact thanks to what is felt behind what is written as you read. It is very beautiful.

This book takes the reader on an intense and emotional journey. The themes of search and fear are explored in a profound way, while acceptance and the journey itself are presented as essential aspects of growth and self-discovery. Le Guin's writing is so细腻 and evocative that it draws the reader in and makes them feel as if they are a part of the story.

The book's structure is also值得称赞. It builds gradually, with each chapter adding to the overall narrative and deepening the reader's understanding of the characters and their experiences. The ending is both satisfying and thought-provoking, leaving the reader with a sense of closure while also inspiring them to reflect on their own lives and journeys. Overall, this is a book that I would highly recommend to anyone who enjoys reading about the human condition and the power of the written word.

This truly put a lovely, rainy sort of spell on me.

It is a feeling that is full of yearning for a center, for a thing to hold fast to.

I found myself reading most of it at three AM after waking up from a nightmare.

The words seemed to dance on the page, as if they were alive and trying to tell me a story.

The rain outside was falling gently, adding to the peaceful atmosphere.

I felt a sense of calm wash over me as I delved deeper into the text.

It was as if the book was a haven, a place where I could escape from the terrors of my nightmare.

I lost track of time as I read, completely engrossed in the words.

When I finally put the book down, I felt a newfound sense of clarity and purpose.

This experience had truly been a magical one, and I will cherish it always.

Possibly my least favorite Le Guin novel? It's truly astonishing. But indeed, this particular work simply didn't resonate with me. The setting lacks clarity, remaining blurry and indistinct. The plot is not only vague but also frustratingly unexplained, leaving me with a sense of dissatisfaction. Moreover, the main characters all interact with each other in a hateful or sour manner, which makes it difficult to empathize with them. The ending, in particular, completely baffled me. I couldn't fathom what the point of this entire story was.

The only aspect that manages to stick with me is the vivid descriptions of how Hugh and Irena feel trapped and suffocated in their home lives. This portrayal is so real that it's almost uncomfortable. It gives a powerful insight into the压抑 and unhappiness that can exist within the seemingly ordinary walls of a home.

I recently delved into my very first Ursula K. Le Guin novel, "The Lathe of Heaven," and I have to say, I truly adored it. However, I'm a bit cautious when it comes to taking on "The Left Hand of Darkness." So, I was on the hunt for something as concise as "Lathe." And lo and behold, I discovered "The Beginning Place." This book was originally published in 1980 and was reprinted just two years ago after the author's passing.

The story reads almost like a charming fairy tale. It centers around two lost souls from the modern world who find love in a pre-modern alternate universe. Hugh is a checker in a grocery store, living with his abusive and perhaps demented mother, longing to attend library school. Irena, on the other hand, is a messenger, driving around town all day, desperate to escape the farm where her abusive and possibly perverted stepfather lives with her mom and step-siblings. Both of them stumble upon a twilight glade with a cool, refreshing creek, and then they discover that there are people living there too. And surprisingly, they've been waiting for Hugh.

Irena arrives first and spends several years getting to know the people and their language. But for some unspecified reason, things start to take a turn for the worse. When Hugh shows up, Irena initially tries to drive him away, jealously safeguarding what she's found. But in the end, she has to take Hugh up to the town and accompany him on a rather dubious hero's journey.

The writing in this book is simply gorgeous, far surpassing the somewhat mediocre plot. Nevertheless, Le Guin manages to keep the story from becoming stale by alternating between the viewpoints of the two protagonists as they fall in love with the wrong people, climb a mountain, and together figure out what they must do to save this precious fantasyland from total darkness. I especially loved the last line, and now I'm off to search for another one of her works to enjoy.