Ursula K. Le Guin

Few writers in any genre can claim to have had the range and influence of Ursula K. Le Guin. Championed for her ground-breaking works of science fiction and fantasy, Le Guin’s work was diverse and wide-ranging, encompassing more than short stories, novels, poetry, essays, books for children and works of translation.

She remains best-known for her landmark series Earthsea – a wise and stunning saga of a world where wizards and dragons mutually coexist – which gradually evolved to become a singular touchstone of imaginative fantasy. Simultaneously, Le Guin forged an enviable reputation within science fiction, hoovering up prizes, including numerous Nebula and Hugo Awards, and establishing a vital feminist foothold in a traditionally male-dominated discipline. Her 1969 novel The Left Hand of Darkness, set on a genderless planet banked in ice, is regarded to this day as a profound exploration of imagination and our understanding of society and identity.