This is a very good book. I really loved Ursula Le Guin's ability to create different realities. It makes one, as a reader, able to jump from one world to another, chapter by chapter, just like the interplanetary travelers in the book who jump from world to world. Her writing is so vivid and imaginative that it draws you in and makes you feel as if you are actually there in those different worlds. Each chapter presents a new and unique reality, full of interesting characters and exciting adventures. It's a truly captivating read that takes you on a journey through multiple universes. You can't help but be amazed by her creativity and the way she weaves together these different storylines. Overall, it's a book that I would highly recommend to anyone who loves science fiction and奇幻 adventures.

I have felt very disappointed, no, frustrated.

It was not until I read the copyright at the end of the book that I realized that these stories had already been edited by Úrsula in different magazines and this book is the product of a compilation of the same and an attempt to interweave them with the premise of "interplanetary" travels.

This type of book seems to me a rip-off, a case of publishing just for the sake of publishing and thinking it will sell because so-and-so always sells.

In fact, the idea of jumping from world to world has nothing original about it, it's very hackneyed. If at least there had been a decent underlying plot, like in The Little Prince, for example, which also went from planet to planet but carried its story in its suitcase.

I got a bit excited with the chapter on royalty, I thought to myself okay... maybe I'll have a bit of a laugh, this one was funny with those endless paragraphs... but no.

In the introduction to the work that Goodreads gives: "[...] the author uses imaginary worlds to review both the great themes of humanity [...], as well as its most absurd aspects.", well okay, that serves as an excuse. If one is going to philosophize, one could.

"Halfway between Jonathan Swift and Borges, [...] a masterful poetic touch when writing this philosophical fiction full of wisdom." I don't go along with that... it's a simplistic narration in an encyclopedic tone, nothing more.

In fact, there is no plot even within the individual chapters. It is rather as if they were descriptive writings of each "race" that the protagonist is describing, which is why I say the encyclopedic tone...

At times they have seemed to me like "premises" for something more "novelistic". If they were developed... each one could give rise to its own novel.

I didn't like it, even if it has to be an unpopular opinion.

First off, the title of this book is a pun, and I absolutely love that. The premise is truly unique. Imagine being at the airport during a layover, just between airplanes, when someone discovers that you're also metaphysically between dimensional planes and can travel back and forth. "Changing Planes." It's hilarious. The whole introduction really reminds me a great deal of Douglas Adams as well.

This book is an anthological collection of someone reporting on the various planes they've visited. Each chapter represents a new plane, delving deep into how different or similar it is to our own plane. It uses these planes to philosophize, reflect, theorize, ramble, and imagine.

Overall, it's a very quaint read. Each chapter follows a similar structure. It describes the new plane, and - in the case of most chapters - just before I would start to get bored with each new iteration of worldbuilding, Le Guin spices things up and draws me in with a strange development. It always turns out to be at the very least interesting, and at the very most horrifying - in a good, intended way, of course. However, I'm missing a star because one or two of the chapters were really quite boring.

Le Guin has been my favorite author for a while.

However, it was not until I read this collection of short stories that I was able to precisely identify the reason.

In these stories, she skillfully combines rich and otherworldly settings with memorable anecdotes.

Le Guin is not a character-driven author, which becomes evident when her Earthsea series is compared to something like Harry Potter.

Nevertheless, she constructs dynamic settings that actually assume the personality that might be absent in the individual characters.

And although her characters might appear "normal" or somewhat uninteresting, their interactions with others and their environment generate a unique atmosphere that is exclusive to Ursula's writing.

This collection of short stories truly showcases Le Guin's talent and solidifies her status as one of my all-time favorite authors.

Ursula K. Le Guin is truly limitless.

She can do everything, although I suppose she must first imagine it. One morning, she decided that she didn't want to write so many novels or perhaps she woke up in a Borgesian mood, and then she wrote real chronicles about imagined worlds.

These are amazing worlds indeed. Each universe she visits leaves the reader longing for more.

How one wishes to read three hundred pages instead of just fifteen. But well, that's what we have.

Le Guin's ability to create such vivid and captivating universes is a testament to her incredible talent and imagination.

Her works transport readers to places they could never have dreamed of, and leave them with a sense of wonder and awe.

Whether it's a novel or a chronicle, her writing always has the power to engage and inspire.

We are truly fortunate to have such a remarkable author in our midst.

Equal parts whimsical and poignant, this story collection is truly a gem.

It has the remarkable ability to whisk the reader away from the dull and interminable waiting room they might find themselves in and transport them into another plane of existence.

Here, they will encounter fully fleshed out civilizations and cultures, complete with performative wars and impenetrable languages.

While other authors might take an entire series of novels to construct just one of these worlds, Le Guin's imagination knows no bounds.

She gives us only a tantalizing peek into the lives and histories of the many worlds, societies, and peoples she has dreamt up.

This book is a charming and thought-provoking exploration of how people live and interact, and how societies form around collective behaviors and habits.

It is a book that will surely captivate readers and leave them eager to return to its pages again and again.

Definitely a must-read for anyone who loves imaginative and engaging literature.

Ursula K. Le Guin is an author who holds a special place in my heart. She is a master of various literary forms, including poetry, fiction, Sci-Fi, and Fantasy. Her works are characterized by a remarkable combination of imagination and intelligence.

Le Guin's life spanned from 1929 to 2018, during which she had an incredibly productive career. She published over 20 novels and more than 100 short stories, along with other miscellaneous works. Her Hainish and Earthsea series are among my all-time favorite Sci-Fi/Fantasy series.

"Changing Planes: Stories" was first published in 2002. It reminds me of "Gulliver's Travels" (as it is mentioned in one of the short stories) and also of Bill Bryson's non-fiction works that cover a wide range of themes.

I have a hunch that this book was written after Ursula had a less-than-pleasant experience waiting for a flight at an airport. The central premise of the short stories is that at airports worldwide (presumably every airport), one can visit the Interplanetary Bureau and, while waiting for a flight, explore worlds in different planes. In each chapter, Ursula or a friend visits a distinct world, and we get to experience that world through her eyes and thoughts.

One can see reflections of our own world in the situations she describes. For instance, one story made me think of the wars between the Hutus and Tutsis in Rwanda. There are also profound thoughts on religion, immortality, and more. The story about the Nno Mmoy Language was particularly fascinating, with its wonderful and thoughtful presentation of ideas and explanations. There is humor, as in the story of The Royals of Hegn, and a surrealistic ending with The Confusions of Uni.

It was truly a captivating journey, enhanced by the lovely drawings (in this version, at least) in each chapter. Le Guin has a remarkable ability to craft stories that draw the reader in and maintain their interest throughout. While this collection may not be filled with a lot of action, it presents unique ideas, interesting worlds, and engaging characters, making it a pleasure to read. Thank you, Ursula K. Le Guin (3.5 stars).

Ursula K. Le Guin

Darn, this takes the unfortunate place as my least favorite Le Guin read so far. However, it’s still well written and thought provoking. I do like a good many of the stories inside. Definitely not her strongest work, though.

Content warnings: rape, ableist slur, incest (in detail), ableist cr slur.

Representation: N/A.

A woman named Sita Dulip discovers a way to transport herself from our earthly plane to nearly innumerable others. As long as she's waiting in an airport, is miserable, and is suffering from mild indigestion, this type of travel can be done. Since then, people from all around the globe have been doing it. In this collection, one writer shares her experiences.

I think a big reason why I didn’t enjoy this as much as Le Guin’s other works is that these stories are less like actual short stories and more like ethnographic studies. Secondly, they lack a central heart that connects them in a more coherent way than the concept alone. The stories contain fascinating notes on culture and world building creation, as well as relevant social commentary, but they will never be as engrossing as something with an actual narrative.

Oh, but I love “The Nna Mmoy Language,” even if it is one of the above-type ethnographic stories. Le Guin is such an insightful and profound thinker. And overall, an incredible inspiration.

Every collection of short stories is a grab bag, and this one is no exception. Unfortunately, most are just okay, with only a few standouts. My least favorite is “The Fliers of Gy.” It uses the cr*ppled slur many times and attempts to use a disabled character to express superiority over neurotypicals/able-bodied people. As an autistic and cr*ppled person myself, this story left me uncomfortable.

The last story is strong, but it also shows a major issue with the collection as a cohesive unit. By the way it introduces the narrator, it seems like it should have started the collection. She’s the one holding the collection together, but most of the time, she’s not even present in the stories.

But! I was never bored, and I never counted down the pages. I even took my own notes. So it’s still a book worth reading, if you know why you’re reading.

The complete review is at http://inthenevernever.blogspot.com/2....

«The airport is a place from which you can't go anywhere else. A non-place where time doesn't pass and there is no hope of any significant existence. A terminal: the end. The airport offers nothing to any human being except access to the interval between planes».

We continue with the readings of #LeoAutorasOct in which one of my favorite writers couldn't be missing. Today I want to recommend Parallel Planes by Ursula K. Le Guin. A book that brings together fifteen independent but connected stories by an amazing discovery: the humanity's ability to travel and visit parallel planes. Some satirical tales that allow the author to explore many of her favorite themes.

Le Guin's writing in this collection is masterful. She creates vivid and engaging worlds in each story, populated by complex and interesting characters. The concept of parallel planes is used in a variety of ways, from exploring different cultures and societies to delving into the human psyche. Each story offers a unique perspective on this fascinating idea, and together they form a rich and thought-provoking whole.

Whether you're a fan of science fiction or just looking for a great read, Parallel Planes is definitely worth checking out. It's a book that will stay with you long after you've turned the last page.

So, this isn't truly a novel.

It is a compilation of short stories either collected or narrated by an unnamed narrator.

This narrator appears to be a blend of a travel writer and an anthropologist.

They write about several of the dimensions they have visited and the kinds of life that exist in those dimensions.

Really, the entire book serves as an excuse for Le Guin to make specific remarks about society while also indulging in worldbuilding to her heart's content.

Take a world that is grappling with a devastating experiment that has left some of its members unable to sleep.

Or a world where many of its members have had their DNA modified to such an extent that their hair is made of corn.

Why not?

It's not necessarily a book that keeps you on the edge of your seat, but each world is so fascinating that it feels like you're reading a very well-written non-fiction account of an interesting world that has long since passed.

I'm still pondering some of the worlds as well.

So, if it sounds like something that might interest you, it's not the worst place to begin with Le Guin.

Changing Planes is a truly evocative travelogue that takes the reader on a remarkable journey. Just like Sita Dulip, the first traveler, I too found myself eagerly anticipating every stolen moment to read another story and explore a new interplanetary destination.

Using vivid vignettes, Le Guin masterfully exposes the values and rituals of the local residents. She does this through a seamless blend of history, anthropology, and psychology. Her work shows us the harsh reality of how tourism can perpetuate inequality and emphasizes the importance of having visitor interactions on a judgment-free, equal level.

Some of my personal favorites from the collection include “Seasons of the Ansarac”, “Social Dreaming of the Frin”, and “Porridge on Islac.” These stories bear similarities to the shorts by Ted Chiang and Jorge Luis Borges, adding an extra layer of depth and intrigue.

Although the named destinations in the book cannot be added to a real travel bucket list, this collection is sure to have a profound impact. It heightens cross-cultural awareness and creates a space for empathy-filled engagement before we even take off on our own real or imagined travels.

I love and deeply miss Ursula LeGuin.

This is a delightfully playful book. It is written based on the premise that it could be possible to "travel" to other worlds rather than remaining confined in airport waiting lounges between flights. That's precisely why the title of this book is a clever pun.

Each chapter is essentially a concise summary of a potential other world. They are all so interesting that I truly wish LeGuin had lived long enough to expand each one into a full-fledged book.

As is typical of her works, this book showcases how far ahead of her time LeGuin was in her sensitivity to gender fluidity, environmental destruction, and similar modern themes. And, as always, it is exquisitely written.

It is more satirical and at times laugh-out-loud funny compared to some of the more serious entries in her body of work, but that is precisely what makes it so charming.

This is an excellent book to have along during those seemingly endless airport waits when "changing planes."