Best Ursula K. Le Guin Books Ranked
Ursula Le Guin was born in Berkeley, California, in 1929. She wrote speculative fiction and science fiction novels and short stories, incorporating Taoism, feminism, and even the writings of Carl Jung into her stories.
She was the first woman to win both the Hugo and Nebula awards for her books, and one of the things she is known for is the theme of cultural anthropology. Her most famous works include her Earthsea series and her stories centered around the Hainish universe. During her career, she wrote a total of 20 novels and more than 100 short stories, winning not only accolades but numerous awards as well. Ursula Le Guin died in 2018 at the age of 88.
Below are some of Ursula Le Guin’s best books ranked:
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29. The Beginning Place
| Goodreads | LibraryThing | Overall |
| 3.54 | 3.38 | 3.46 |
Overview
In the Beginning Place, or Mountaintown, young Irena feels threatened when newcomer Hugh arrives, seeking the same ideal life that Irena did when she first arrived. Now, they must work together to get rid of an enemy who threatens their lifestyle, and along the way, they start to fall in love.
28. Malafrena
| Goodreads | LibraryThing | Overall |
| 3.53 | 3.48 | 3.51 |
Overview
It’s the early 1800s, and Itale forsakes Malafrena Valley, which he was supposed to inherit. He finds himself in Krasnoy with Piera, even though he’s never thought much about love. This is their story, and it is truly unforgettable.
27. Rocannon’s World
| Goodreads | LibraryThing | Overall |
| 3.76 | 3.37 | 3.57 |
Overview
The first book in the Hainish Cycle series, it tells about a world inhabited by three different humanoid races and of Rocannon, who is part of that world but now is charged with freeing it when unwanted visitors arrive. He then finds that even while he fights, legends grow all around him, making for an unforgettable journey.
26. Orsinian Tales
| Goodreads | LibraryThing | Overall |
| 3.67 | 3.50 | 3.59 |
Overview
In Orsinia, life is harsh and dreams are practically nonexistent. There are powerful forces set on destroying this life, whatever it’s worth, but in this land of medieval forests and stonewalled cities, it just might be possible for life to not only remain but to grow and thrive as well.
25. Planet of Exile
| Goodreads | LibraryThing | Overall |
| 3.71 | 3.49 | 3.60 |
Overview
The second book of the Hainish Cycle series, it is the story of an earth colony called Landin, which has been stranded on Werel for 10 years, or 600 terrestrial years. The earthmen have the same neighbors every winter, but the two peoples do not get along. Still, they find themselves with a common enemy, but is it enough to make life on Werel better for everyone?
24. The Eye of the Heron
| Goodreads | LibraryThing | Overall |
| 3.76 | 3.45 | 3.61 |
Overview
In a world inhabited by farmers and city-dwellers, AKA bosses, life is not as peaceful as it seems. When the farmers decide to form their own colony to get away from the bosses, the daughter of one of those bosses, named Luz, might decide to go with them.
23. Gifts
| Goodreads | LibraryThing | Overall |
| 3.72 | 3.67 | 3.70 |
Overview
In a place called the Uplands, all the different clans have amazing but very powerful gifts. They can literally change other people’s lives with those gifts, which is why two people – one girl and one boy – decide not to use their gifts so that no one is hurt.
22. City of Illusions
| Goodreads | LibraryThing | Overall |
| 3.89 | 3.57 | 3.73 |
Overview
Book number three in the Hainish Cycle series, it involves a man who cannot remember his past and who is taken in by the forest people. One day, he is ready to travel to the world he thinks he left behind, but even though he finds his true self, that world is fraught with danger.
21. Changing Planes
| Goodreads | LibraryThing | Overall |
| 3.84 | 3.80 | 3.82 |
Overview
When Sita misses her flight, she changes planes and finds herself visiting more than a dozen societies that aren’t found on Earth. They can do things other societies can’t, such as go holiday shopping all year long, making Sita’s travels very interesting indeed.
20. Lavinia
| Goodreads | LibraryThing | Overall |
| 3.81 | 3.83 | 3.82 |
Overview
Lavinia’s mother wants her to marry Turnus, but she learns through omens and prophecies that this will turn out bad. Instead, she takes her life into her own hands and tells us the story of her life so we can understand her better.
19. The Telling
| Goodreads | LibraryThing | Overall |
| 3.92 | 3.83 | 3.88 |
Overview
Part of the Hainish Cycle series, it’s the story of Sutty, who is living in a world overtaken by too much technology. When she learns of a group of people living out in the wilderness, she decides to join them, but it ends up putting her heart, mind, and soul into more danger than she imagined.
18. The Word for World Is Forest
| Goodreads | LibraryThing | Overall |
| 3.99 | 3.76 | 3.88 |
Overview
Set in the 24th century, this is the fifth book in the Hainish Cycle series and centers around humans who have learned interstellar travel from the Hainish and Terran colonists who have taken over a planet named Athshe. It is about tyranny, war, and resistance, and it is an interesting part of this series.
17. Tehanu
| Goodreads | LibraryThing | Overall |
| 3.94 | 3.81 | 3.88 |
Overview
Part of the Earthsea Cycle series, it is the story of a couple who have an on-again, off-again relationship until they get older and must come together to help a child who is both physically and emotionally scarred.
16. A Fisherman of the Inland Sea
| Goodreads | LibraryThing | Overall |
| 4.01 | 3.84 | 3.93 |
Overview
Part of the Hainish Cycle series, this story shows off Le Guin’s magical writing ability. This includes being able to write both light and dark short stories, and everything from philosophical musings to accurate descriptions of various cultures, all of which come together in this book.
15. Voices
| Goodreads | LibraryThing | Overall |
| 3.90 | 4.00 | 3.95 |
Overview
This is the story of a town called Ansul, which has been ruled by people who have banned reading and writing. But now, a poet and his wife have arrived to try and change things, but will they be successful?
14. Always Coming Home
| Goodreads | LibraryThing | Overall |
| 4.03 | 3.89 | 3.96 |
Overview
Mixing story, poem, artwork, and music, this is the story of the people called the Kesh, who live very peaceful lives. Though it is the tale of a far-away land and people, readers will certainly recognize someone they know in the descriptions of the people who live there.
13. Very Far Away From Anywhere Else
| Goodreads | LibraryThing | Overall |
| 4.13 | 3.79 | 3.96 |
Overview
This is the story of 17-year-old Owen, who thinks he knows just what to do with his life until he meets Natalie, and suddenly he starts to realize he knows very little about how his life should proceed. A very inspiring coming-of-age story.
12. A Wizard of Earthsea
| Goodreads | LibraryThing | Overall |
| 3.99 | 3.98 | 3.99 |
Overview
Book number one in the Earthsea Cycle series tells the story of Ged, also known as Sparrowhawk, who is a great sorcerer but who was responsible for a terrible power being loose on the land. In this book, he masters words of power, comes face-to-face with death itself, and tames an ancient dragon to restore balance to the land.
11. The Wind’s Twelve Quarters
| Goodreads | LibraryThing | Overall |
| 4.06 | 3.94 | 4.00 |
Overview
This book contains 17 of Le Guin’s best works, and the stories combine wizardry, cloning, fantasy, and lots of adventures. It gives Le Guin fans lots to be happy about.
10. Powers
| Goodreads | LibraryThing | Overall |
| 4.02 | 4.05 | 4.04 |
Overview
A young man named Gav can remember a page in a book for a long time and even sees the future. But when tragedy strikes, he leaves the only world he’s ever known, but he still cannot escape his unusual powers.
9. The Tombs of Atuan
| Goodreads | LibraryThing | Overall |
| 4.08 | 4.01 | 4.05 |
Overview
Arha has been named priestess and guardian over the tombs of Atuan, but everything else is taken away from her. Enter a wizard named Ged, and the two of them set off to get back everything she’s lost.
8. The Other Wind
| Goodreads | LibraryThing | Overall |
| 4.14 | 3.96 | 4.05 |
Overview
This is book number six in the Earthsea Cycle series. A sorcerer named Alder works with a king to save Earthsea, despite all of the odds against them. This is also the final book in this particular series, so all of your questions will be answered.
7. Four Ways to Forgiveness
| Goodreads | LibraryThing | Overall |
| 4.19 | 3.91 | 4.05 |
Overview
This is book number seven in the Hainish Cycle series and tells the story of twin planets Werel and Yeowe, which include characters who are as complex and interesting as any of the people you know in your real life.
6. The Farthest Shore
| Goodreads | LibraryThing | Overall |
| 4.11 | 4.00 | 4.06 |
Overview
When darkness threatens to overtake Earthsea, Ged Sparrowhawk and Prince Arren set off together to change its course so that the world will be right again.
5. The Lathe of Heaven
| Goodreads | LibraryThing | Overall |
| 4.11 | 4.01 | 4.06 |
Overview
In a futuristic world, George Orr wakes up with the ability to change reality with his dreams. He begins to see a psychiatrist who, unfortunately, tries to take that power away from him instead of teaching him how to deal with it.
4. The Left Hand of Darkness
| Goodreads | LibraryThing | Overall |
| 4.08 | 4.05 | 4.07 |
Overview
Called a “groundbreaking work of science fiction,” this is the story of a human in an alien world where people can actually change their gender. When the human tries to include this world in an intergalactic civilization, interesting things happen.
3. Tales From Earthsea
| Goodreads | LibraryThing | Overall |
| 4.27 | 3.92 | 4.10 |
Overview
This book encompasses a total of five stories about Earthsea, including two classic stories, two original tales, and a novella that is brand-new, as well as maps and more information about Earthsea to help you get more out of the stories.
2. The Dispossessed
| Goodreads | LibraryThing | Overall |
| 4.20 | 4.14 | 4.17 |
Overview
Shevek is a physicist who decides to rid the world of hatred and bring civilization back to it. He will do this even though he may lose his family and even his life in the process, but he considers it to be worth it.
1. The Ones Who Walk Away From Omelas
| Goodreads | LibraryThing | Overall |
| 4.39 | 4.27 | 4.33 |
Overview
This is one of Le Guin’s short stories that centers around a peaceful kingdom that cannot tolerate all of the cruelty that is at the base of its happiness. It is one of the stories that earned her the prestigious Hugo Award for best short story.
Complete Rankings for Ursula K. Le Guin Books
We have done all the work of compiling rankings for Ursula K. Le Guin’s best books, so you don’t have to!
| Rank | Book Title | Goodreads | LibraryThing | Overall |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas | 4.39 | 4.27 | 4.33 |
| 2 | The Dispossessed | 4.20 | 4.14 | 4.17 |
| 3 | Tales from Earthsea | 4.27 | 3.92 | 4.10 |
| 4 | The Left Hand of Darkness | 4.08 | 4.05 | 4.07 |
| 5 | The Lathe of Heaven | 4.11 | 4.01 | 4.06 |
| 6 | The Farthest Shore | 4.11 | 4.00 | 4.06 |
| 7 | Four Ways to Forgiveness | 4.19 | 3.91 | 4.05 |
| 8 | The Other Wind | 4.14 | 3.96 | 4.05 |
| 9 | The Tombs of Atuan | 4.08 | 4.01 | 4.05 |
| 10 | Powers | 4.02 | 4.05 | 4.04 |
| 11 | The Wind’s Twelve Quarters | 4.06 | 3.94 | 4.00 |
| 12 | A Wizard of Earthsea | 3.99 | 3.98 | 3.99 |
| 13 | Very Far Away from Anywhere Else | 4.13 | 3.79 | 3.96 |
| 14 | Always Coming Home | 4.03 | 3.89 | 3.96 |
| 15 | Voices | 3.90 | 4.00 | 3.95 |
| 16 | A Fisherman of the Inland Sea | 4.01 | 3.84 | 3.93 |
| 17 | Tehanu | 3.94 | 3.81 | 3.88 |
| 18 | The Word for World Is Forest | 3.99 | 3.76 | 3.88 |
| 19 | The Telling | 3.92 | 3.83 | 3.88 |
| 20 | Lavinia | 3.81 | 3.83 | 3.82 |
| 21 | Changing Planes | 3.84 | 3.80 | 3.82 |
| 22 | City of Illusions | 3.89 | 3.57 | 3.73 |
| 23 | Gifts | 3.72 | 3.67 | 3.70 |
| 24 | The Eye of the Heron | 3.76 | 3.45 | 3.61 |
| 25 | Planet of Exile | 3.71 | 3.49 | 3.60 |
| 26 | Orsinian Tales | 3.67 | 3.50 | 3.59 |
| 27 | Rocannon’s World | 3.76 | 3.37 | 3.57 |
| 28 | Malafrena | 3.53 | 3.48 | 3.51 |
| 29 | The Beginning Place | 3.54 | 3.38 | 3.46 |
