Considered one of the most significant authors of science fiction and fantasy to have emerged in the twentieth century, Le Guin is recognized as a gifted and original writer whose works address essential themes about the human condition in prose noted for its beauty and clarity. A prolific author of great range and variety, she has written novels, novellas, short stories, poetry, plays, essays, reviews, and texts for musical compositions and has also edited collections of science fiction; she directs her books, which she categorizes as science fiction, fantasy, realism, and magical realism, to children and young adults as well as to adults. Le Guin is regarded as a groundbreaking writer who brought sophisticated themes and literary craftsmanship to the genre of science fiction; in addition, she is credited for being the first female writer to have made a major contribution to the genre. In her works, Le...