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First published in the 1960sCenturies: 19th century 20th century 21st century Decades: 1900s 1910s 1920s 1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s 2010s Years: 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 Events and trends The 1960s was a turbulent decade of change around, she is now regarded as one of the best science fiction authors. She has received several
HugoThe Hugo Award is given every year for the best science fiction or fantasy stories of the previous year, and for related areas in fandom, art and dramatic presentation. The award categories have changed over time, as the field of science fiction has grown and NebulaThe Nebula is an award given each year by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA), for the best science fiction stories published in the United States during the two previous years. See rolling eligibility below. There is no cash prize a awards, and was awarded the Gandalf Grand MasterThe Gandalf Grand Master Award for life achievement in fantasy writing was awarded annually by the World Science Fiction Society from 1974 to 1980. Recipients were selected by the vote of society members. The award was named after Gandalf the wizard, who award in 1979Events January-February January 1 Sino-American relations: United States and the People's Republic of China establish diplomatic relations January 4 State of Ohio agrees to pay $675,000 to families of dead and injured in Kent State University shootings. and the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of AmericaScience Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, Inc. was founded in 1965 by Damon Knight. It is a non-profit association of science fiction and fantasy writers, mostly though not entirely in the United States. Membership is limited to professionally publi Grand Master AwardThe Damon Knight Memorial Grand Master Award is an award given by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America. It is awarded to a living author for lifetime achievement in science fiction and/or fantasy. Officially, it is not a Nebula Award though in 2003.Her interests in literature manifested themselves early. At the age of 11, she submitted her first story to Astounding Science Fiction (it was not accepted.) She attended Harvard University's Radcliffe College, then Columbia University, graduating with an M.A. She later studied in France, where she met her husband, Charles Le Guin. Her earliest writings (little of which were published at the time, but some of which resurfaced in altered form years later in Orsinian Tales and Malafrena), were nonfantastic stories of imaginary countries. Searching for a publishable way to express her interests, she re-awakened her interest in science fiction, beginning to publish regularly in the early 1960s. She became notable with the publication of her 1969 novel The Left Hand of Darkness, which won the Hugo and Nebula awards.
Much of Le Guin's science fiction work is distinguished from other examples of the genre by its strong emphasis on the social sciences, including sociology and anthropology. Her works often make use of unusual alien cultures to convey a message about our own culture; one example is the exploration of sexual identity via the gender-shifting natives of The Left Hand of Darkness.
Le Guin is known for her ability to create believable worlds populated by deeply human characters (regardless of whether they are technically 'human'). Her fantasy works (such as the Earthsea books) are much more focused on the human condition than are works by authors such as J. R. R. Tolkien. However, away from the everyday level, they share with Tolkien – and, by definition, with most epic high fantasy – the illiberal notion that only the "true king" can save the world's broader problems. Le Guin has also written fiction set much closer to home; many of her short stories are set in our world in the present or the near future.
Her fiction includes:
Le Guin has also published nonfiction, poetry, and some translations.
Le Guin is a prolific author and has published many works that are not listed here. Many works were originally published in science fiction literary magazines. Those that have not since been anthologized have fallen into obscurity.