The Language of the Night facts for kids
| Editor | Susan Wood |
|---|---|
| Author | Ursula K. Le Guin |
| Cover artist | Mike Mariano |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Essay |
| Published | 1979 (Putnam Adult) |
| Media type | |
| Pages | 270 |
| ISBN | 978-0399123252 |
The Language of the Night: Essays on Fantasy and Science Fiction is a collection of writings by the famous author Ursula K. Le Guin. This book brings together many of her thoughts on fantasy and science fiction stories. Susan Wood helped put the book together, and it was first published in 1979. A new version came out in 1992.
This collection includes 24 different essays. These writings came from many places, like magazines, introductions to other books, and speeches she gave when winning awards. Before this book, it was hard to find all of Le Guin's ideas about writing in one place. The Language of the Night shares her most important thoughts on how stories are made.
Contents
What is The Language of the Night About?
This book explores many interesting ideas about writing and reading. Ursula K. Le Guin talks about how people in America think about fantasy stories. She also looks at what makes science fiction strong and where it might be weak.
Special Thoughts on Children's Books
Le Guin also shares her unique ideas about books written for children. She explains what makes these stories special and important.
Behind the Scenes of Famous Books
In the essays, Le Guin gives readers a peek into how she created some of her most famous books. She talks about the ideas behind A Wizard of Earthsea and The Left Hand of Darkness. If you've read these books, you'll find her insights fascinating!
Why is the Book Titled The Language of the Night?
The title of the book comes from a special idea Le Guin had about fantasy. She once said, "We like to think we live in daylight, but half the world is always dark; and fantasy, like poetry, speaks the language of the night." This means that fantasy stories help us explore the deeper, often hidden, parts of life and imagination, just like poetry does.
Awards and Criticisms
The Language of the Night was recognized for its importance. It was nominated for a Hugo Award in 1980. This award is a big deal in the world of science fiction and fantasy.
However, some people who reviewed the book felt that not all the essays were equally important. They thought some parts were more interesting or well-written than others. Even so, the book is still seen as a key collection of Le Guin's ideas.
