Science fiction · Classics
The Left Hand of Darkness
A human envoy arrives on a frozen world to invite its nations to join a wider alliance. He finds a society whose people have no fixed gender, and a political tangle that forces him to trust a local statesman.
Facts last checked 2026-10-16
- First published
- 1969
- Pace
- Slow
- Length
- Medium
- Pages
- 304
- Format
- Book 4 of 9 in Hainish Cycle
Read this if you like thoughtful science fiction about identity, friendship and being a stranger.
Skip this if you want a lot of action; the plot moves slowly, and the book is mostly about culture and trust.
The feel
Content warnings
None noted yet.
Also reported by Hardcover readers:
Quick answers about The Left Hand of Darkness
- What is The Left Hand of Darkness about?
- A human envoy arrives on a frozen world to invite its nations to join a wider alliance. He finds a society whose people have no fixed gender, and a political tangle that forces him to trust a local statesman.
- Who should read The Left Hand of Darkness?
- Read it if you like thoughtful science fiction about identity, friendship and being a stranger. Skip it if you want a lot of action; the plot moves slowly, and the book is mostly about culture and trust.
- How long and how fast is The Left Hand of Darkness?
- It is a slow-paced, medium read of about 304 pages, first published in 1969.
- Does The Left Hand of Darkness have content warnings?
- We have not noted any content warnings for this book yet.
- Can I borrow The Left Hand of Darkness for free?
- Often, yes. Check Libby (OverDrive) to see whether your library lends The Left Hand of Darkness; the borrow button above searches it for you.
- What should I read after The Left Hand of Darkness?
- Readers who liked it often move on to The Dispossessed, Ancillary Justice, A Psalm for the Wild-Built.
Your shelf
Saved in this browser only. Open my shelf
Where to get it
| Store | Price | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Borrow free | ||
| Libby / OverDrive | Free with a library card | Borrow free with Libby from Libby / OverDrive |
| Print, new | ||
| Amazon | Check price | Buy new from Amazon |
| Ebook | ||
| Kobo | Check price | Buy ebook from Kobo |
| Google Play Books | Check price | Buy ebook from Google Play Books |
| Audiobook | ||
| Audible | Check price | Buy audiobook from Audible |
Prices appear here as retailer feeds are connected. Where none is shown, check the store. Links open the store in a new tab.
Some store links, including Kobo, are affiliate links: we may earn a commission if you buy, at no extra cost to you. Library links are never affiliate links. How this works
Share this pick
Because you might love it
If you loved The Left Hand of Darkness
-
The Dispossessed
Another Le Guin novel about outsiders, politics and ideas, with a sharper debate between two societies.
-
Ancillary Justice
A more modern work that plays with gender and identity within a vast, bureaucratic space empire.
-
A Psalm for the Wild-Built A short, warm and quiet story about two very different beings learning to understand each other.
Science fiction
