This collection of stories by one of my favorite authors is, of course, simply magnificent.

The first story reveals that "changing planes" means moving between different planes of existence, something that in our world seemingly can only be done at airports. I had read a couple of them before in other collections, but they form a great set here. The best of all is perhaps "Ansarac Stations", which links all of Le Guin's major themes: the unusual socializations of sexuality, the dangers of manipulating technology, and the classic narrative. Some of the others are simply parables or satires, but no less effective for that; I especially loved "The Royalty of Hegn".

The collection showcases Le Guin's talent for world-building. Sixteen stories each present a unique world with one or more species of brilliant, extravagant, suggestive, or strange sentient beings. It's good that these diverse beings we meet are interesting, since not much really happens in any of the stories. This gives the collection a contemplative air, like a series of miniatures studies on extraterrestrial sociology.

So, for fans of Le Guin, this collection offers two of her greatest skills: world-building and examining social structures. Few writers present as many and varied ways of imagining life. And few do it interesting enough to want to keep turning the pages to see what the next plane change has in store for us.

I will now embark on the task of reviewing this book, and I will do so by using one of its very own quotes. The quote goes as follows: "My memory of it was like all my childhood memories, immediate, broken, vivid - bits of bright particularity in a vast drift of oblivion." This quote, found on page 209, truly encapsulates the essence of the author's exploration of memory and childhood within the book. It highlights the fragmented and yet strikingly vivid nature of our earliest recollections. As we delve deeper into the pages of this work, we are taken on a journey through the author's mind, experiencing the ebb and flow of memories that shape our understanding of who we are. The use of such a powerful quote at the outset of the review serves to pique the reader's interest and draw them into the world that the author has created.

Gifted. That is my one word description of Ursula Le Guin, and I deeply lament that we have lost her.

My favorite quote of hers is that love "must be constantly remade, like a loaf of bread".

She has an extraordinary ability to imagine different people like no other. She can bring them vividly to life, making you truly care about them and what befalls them. How they are perceived and treated.

Ultimately, all of this reflects on us and how we treat other humans, of course. She can share a dazzling and riveting story set on an alien world, thoroughly captivating the sci-fi loving kid within me. While simultaneously, she weaves another story about the dignity and validity of the diverse range of humanity inside the main story, and manages to get me to care deeply about that as well.

In this particular work, we have the best introduction and most concise depiction of a single alien race that I have ever come across. And I have read numerous sci-fi or fantasy novels and watched countless movies in the same genres. Hearing it brought to life with such love and care by the incomparable Levar Burton is truly the icing on the cake.

When I am between a novel and a story, I think the novel is more attractive to me. But when it comes to Le Guin, I think there isn't much distance between a novel and a story. As pointed out in other reviews of "The Wind's Twelve Quarters", it is like a spring cleaning. It's as if it is a challenge, a bribe to the reader. Le Guin seems to be saying, "Look, I could actually imagine all these things too." Each of the stories is built on such different universes, worlds, and lives that you can't believe they are all the product of the same person's mind. It seems impossible for one person to have experienced so many lives. It seems that it is really not possible to accumulate, think about, and write all of them.

You don't feel that you understand all of the stories, in fact, you don't feel like you "understood" almost any of them, at least I didn't feel that way. But it was as if I understood something from all of them intuitively, even if not with a clear consciousness, which was strange...

Especially after reading this book, I think "Women, Men and Dragons" should be read. Because after reading this book, the reader will probably want to understand Le Guin's own universe and writing experience, and find the answer to the question "What is this woman living in her mind?".

Thank you, Le Guin, for introducing us to universes we have never been to and lives we have never lived.

Sleepless babies can indeed be a terrifying experience for parents.

When a baby refuses to sleep, it can lead to exhaustion, stress, and a sense of helplessness.

The constant crying and restlessness can disrupt the entire household, making it difficult for anyone to get a good night's sleep.

Parents may find themselves constantly on edge, trying to figure out what is wrong and how to soothe their little one.

Lack of sleep can also have a negative impact on the baby's development and well-being.

It is important for parents to seek help and support if they are dealing with a sleepless baby.

There are many resources available, such as books, websites, and support groups, that can provide valuable advice and tips on how to get a baby to sleep.

With a little patience and perseverance, parents can help their baby establish healthy sleep habits and get the rest they both need.

If you, like me, have been constantly dreaming of books or stories that are entirely centered around worldbuilding, then this is exactly what you've been looking for.

It is truly a remarkable and wonderful thing.

The detailed and immersive worlds that are crafted within these literary works are nothing short of astonishing.

They draw you in, making you feel as if you have stepped into a completely different realm.

Every aspect of the world, from its geography and culture to its history and politics, is carefully thought out and brought to life.

You can lose yourself in these richly detailed universes, exploring and discovering new things with each turn of the page.

It's a truly magical experience that allows you to escape from the real world and enter into a world of pure imagination.

So, if you're a fan of worldbuilding, don't miss out on this amazing opportunity to explore some truly wonderful and captivating worlds.

This is a truly fascinating volume that delves into the captivating tales of casual travel to other planes of existence and alternate realities. Overall, I have a deep appreciation for this book as the author constantly reaches beyond the surface of the story to explore profound ideas about what compels humans to pursue culture, science, philosophy, and survival.

Let me share with you how I perceive the stories within this volume.

"Sita Dulip's Method" serves as an introduction to the concept of traveling to other planes. It is not just pure exposition but also contains some clever humor, stopping just short of Adam's farcical and off-the-wall humor.

"Porridge on Islac" Ursula begins strongly by questioning the very essence of what makes us human and where that ever-shifting line lies. She initially coats the punches of iterative dehumanization with humor, but as the story progresses, it delves into the tragic, ultimately serving as a painful reminder that even those who are considered "subhuman" by many are still loved and capable of feeling, loving, and leading impactful lives.

"The Silence of the Asonu" Sometimes, we tend to attribute excessive meaning to the differences between ourselves and those who live differently. This story offers a cheeky exploration of assuming the fundamental wisdom of people who simply have different lifestyles to meet their personal needs.

"Feeling at Home with the Hennebet" We often bring a plethora of assumptions about how others should be, which can sometimes blind us to their true nature. This one felt a bit too much like exposition to me, yet it still serves its purpose.

"The Ire of the Veksi" While many authors might have opted for the comedy of "dumb violent apes," Ursula once again looks beneath the surface to understand what makes people emotional and what a people with few inhibitions in displaying emotion might seem like.

"Seasons of the Ansarac" Possibly my favorite among the stories, Le Guin explores the differences and similarities between humans who are almost constantly biologically the same and animals that go through distinct biological cycles. Instead of simply deeming one as superior to the other, she constructs a beautiful world and a people within it who are driven by biology yet retain agency and dignity.

"Social Dreaming of the Frin" I found this tale to be somewhat terrifying, and it is perhaps the only content warning I would offer for this book. Shared dreams can be both a binding experience and a nightmare, and what would we be without our own personal internal selves?

"The Royals of Hegn" This is a humorous parody of royal watchers and celebrity worshipers.

"Woeful Tales from Mahigul" These four tales each explore a different way in which we divide ourselves from others and the perils associated with doing so. The distant perspective makes it seem absurd, yet the fact remains that all of these tales have clear roots in our own recent history. We laugh at our own peril.

"Great Joy" A sci-fi retelling of the colonization of the island cultures in our own world. What happens to a people who are coerced into living within a never-ending entertainment system for the sake of others?

"Wake Island" A sad tale about science gone awry once more. This one was a bit difficult for me to stomach as I am very sensitive to the suffering of children, but it does explore some extremely interesting concepts about what constitutes a "self."

"The Nna Mmoy Language" This is a beautiful little story about how people will always find a way to infuse their world with something beautiful, regardless of how much has been stripped away. It is truly inspiring to contemplate.

"The Building" What is the point of constructing a megalithic structure? Sometimes, things can hold enormous cultural significance without being practical at all. I appreciate how this was approached within the context of the rise, fall, and rise of civilizations.

"The Fliers of Gy" As a mere land-bound human, it is challenging to envision a world where the ability to fly would be considered a disability. However, here she constructs a world that showcases how ability and disability are often culturally constructed and closely related to the goals an individual has for their own life.

"The Island of the Immortals" This story dramatically demonstrates that perhaps a life well-lived is far more crucial than simply having more years of life.

"Confusions of Uñi" Okay, now Le Guin is simply showing off! Reality itself frays as our traveler skirts along the very boundaries of what is and what is not before finding her way safely home. Or does she?

An amusing set of shorts is based on the interesting conceit of being able to change planes in airports...planes of existence, that is.

Many of these shorts are more like reports on the cultures of strange and alien lands and peoples rather than conventional narratives. However, the doses of amusing satire prevent them from becoming dull.

This sort of thing truly plays to Le Guin's strengths. Given her family background in anthropology, she has a deep understanding and appreciation for different cultures.

Her ability to create vivid and unique worlds, populated by strange and fascinating beings, is on full display in these shorts.

Readers are taken on a journey through these other planes of existence, learning about their cultures, customs, and ways of life.

Despite the strangeness of these worlds, there is a sense of familiarity and universality that makes them accessible and engaging.

Overall, these shorts are a delightful and entertaining read, showcasing Le Guin's talent as a writer and her unique perspective on the human experience.

One of those Kindle specials really encouraged me to work through LeGuin's back catalog.

This book feels both familiar and unfamiliar. It is familiar because of the age it belongs to, but it's an unfamiliar side of LeGuin.

At a fantastical spaceport, travelers have the opportunity to experience space/timeslips (?). They can enter different worlds.

So far, there doesn't seem to be a driving plot. Each chapter has covered a different people. It reminds me of The Waystation, but without the plot, or it's like classic Zelazny.

It feels like her early work (I would need to do some research to confirm). It's also like tiny anthropological profiles of different cultures.

One particular part is notable. It's about a migrating people on a planet with a very long year. I wonder if she thought, 'what if monarch migration cycles and life cycles were applied to humans?'

This makes me really curious about what else is in store as I continue reading through this unique work.

Especially recommended for those curious about anthropology or sociology, as always, the author presents us with interesting ethical questions. My favorite plan is "Great Happiness".

This work offers a unique perspective that delves deep into the human condition and the moral dilemmas we face. It challenges our preconceived notions and makes us think about the true meaning of happiness and how it relates to our ethical choices.

The author's writing style is engaging and thought-provoking, drawing the reader in and keeping them hooked until the very end. Whether you are a student of the social sciences or simply someone who enjoys a good read that makes you think, this book is definitely worth checking out.

A sort of distillation of Le Guin’s dominant form into a series of delightful vignettes can be witnessed.

Some of these vignettes are startlingly challenging and evocative, considering their inherent whimsy.

Le Guin clearly knows what she is doing.

Everyone has called her an anthropologist who unearths and studies imagined lands.

I have said the same, yet I don't think that's entirely accurate.

Obviously, I can't claim that these numerous micro-verses and their fascinating variations of human society and biology are truly real and waiting for Le Guin to discover them.

However, that's precisely what seems to be happening.

She is the first to observe them and thereby give them life.

The thing is that none of them are alien.

Her planes are always reorganizations of our own realities.

Just adjust one detail and everything changes.

She is an ethnographer of human potential, whether for better or worse.

Le Guin's works offer a unique perspective on the human experience, exploring the boundaries of what is possible and what lies within us.

Her ability to create these vivid and thought-provoking vignettes is a testament to her remarkable talent as a writer.

Through her stories, we are invited to explore new worlds and consider different ways of being, expanding our understanding of the human condition.

Le Guin's contributions to literature are truly significant and continue to inspire readers and writers alike.

Her works will no doubt be studied and enjoyed for generations to come.

Read this as part of an anthropology course on ethnography. The stories bear a striking resemblance to ethnographic accounts in several aspects. They are narrated from the viewpoint of a foreign visitor who resides among the local people. This visitor undertakes the tasks of learning their language, conducting interviews, making observations, and embarking on explorations. The overarching objective is to achieve cultural understanding. However, it should be noted that these are not actual cultures but rather fictional depictions of alien inhabitants from other dimensions. They may be persons of sorts, but not humans in the way we typically understand the term. I suppose it can be termed fictional xenoanthropology.

The author's unrestricted and brilliant sci-fi/fantasy imagination guides the reader on explorations of a wide range of themes. These themes include environmental destruction, sectarian warfare, consciousness, and (philosophical) identity. This is accomplished through accounts of exotic imagined worlds that can, at times, be philosophical, whimsical, and aesthetic. Among the many gems in this magnificent collection, "Seasons of the Ansarac" stands out as moving and is a personal favorite.