Where I started: The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas

[PublicityPixie]

This was the first piece of Ursula Le Guin I ever read, wedged into an anthology somewhere for my GCSEs too many moons ago. It stuck in my head because as fundamental and simple as the moral dilemma is, it is so cleanly delivered. Even now, it is one of my very favourite shorts.

Where did everyone else start with Le Guin? And have you read / did you enjoy The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas?

 

[J-Sun]

I couldn't swear to it - I probably read an anthologized story first, like you, but (otherwise) I think the first thing I read was The Left Hand of Darkness. I dunno - odd that that's so vague. But, yes, I've read "Omelas" and did like it. I also like her explanation of where authors get their ideas: something-something and "from reading road signs backwards, of course". (Omelas==Salem, O[R].)

-- The actual quote I was thinking of is '"Where do you get your ideas from Ms. Le Guin?" From forgetting Dostoyevsky and reading road signs backwards, naturally. Where else?'

 

[Vertigo]

The Dispossessed was my intro and it blew me away (impressionable university undergrad at the time... ) I even named my cat Shevek from it Actually I thought it kind of appropriate, cats being the anarchists they are!

 

[jojajihisc]

First was probably Lathe of Heaven and I read The Ones Who Walk Away From Omelas just a year or two ago. Both great.