Grand Master Ursula K. Le Guin has been recognised for almost fifty years as one of the most important writers in the SF field – and is likewise feted beyond the confines of the genre. The Wind’s Twelve Quarters was her first collection and it brings together some of finest short fiction, including the Hugo Award-winning The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas, the Nebula Award-winning The Day Before the Revolution, and the Hugo-nominated Winter’s King, which gave readers their first glimpse of the world later made famous in her Hugo- and Nebula-winning masterpiece The Left Hand of Darkness.
Contents:
The Wind’s Twelve Quarters (1975) collection by Ursula K. Le Guin
The Compass Rose (1982) collection by Ursula K. Le Guin
A Trip to the Head (1970) shortstory by Ursula K. Le Guin
April in Paris (1962) shortstory by Ursula K. Le Guin
Darkness Box (1963) shortstory by Ursula K. Le Guin
Direction of the Road (1973) shortstory by Ursula K. Le Guin
Foreword (The Wind’s Twelve Quarters) (1975) essay by Ursula K. Le Guin
Nine Lives (1969) novelette by Ursula K. Le Guin
Semley’s Necklace [Hainish] (1964) shortstory by Ursula K. Le Guin (variant of The Dowry of Angyar)
The Day Before the Revolution [Hainish] (1974) shortstory by Ursula K. Le Guin
The Field of Vision (1973) shortstory by Ursula K. Le Guin
The Good Trip (1970) shortstory by Ursula K. Le Guin
The Masters (1963) shortstory by Ursula K. Le Guin
The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas (1973) shortstory by Ursula K. Le Guin
The Rule of Names [Earthsea Cycle] (1964) shortstory by Ursula K. Le Guin
The Stars Below (1974) shortstory by Ursula K. Le Guin
The Word of Unbinding [Earthsea Cycle] (1964) shortstory by Ursula K. Le Guin
Things (1970) shortstory by Ursula K. Le Guin
Vaster Than Empires and More Slow (1971) novelette by Ursula K. Le Guin
Winter’s King (1969) novelette by Ursula K. Le Guin
Gwilan’s Harp (1977) shortstory by Ursula K. Le Guin
Intracom (1974) shortstory by Ursula K. Le Guin
Malheur County (1979) shortstory by Ursula K. Le Guin
Mazes (1975) shortstory by Ursula K. Le Guin
Preface (The Compass Rose) (1982) essay by Ursula K. Le Guin
Schrdinger’s Cat (1974) shortstory by Ursula K. Le Guin
Small Change (1981) shortstory by Ursula K. Le Guin
Some Approaches to the Problem of the Shortage of Time (1979) shortstory by Ursula K. Le Guin
SQ (1978) shortstory by Ursula K. Le Guin
Sur (1982) shortstory by Ursula K. Le Guin
The Author of the Acacia Seeds and Other Extracts from the Journal of the Association of Therolinguistics (1974) shortstory by Ursula K. Le Guin
The Diary of the Rose [Orsinia] (1976) novelette by Ursula K. Le Guin
The Eye Altering (1976) shortstory by Ursula K. Le Guin
The First Report of the Shipwrecked Foreigner to the Kadanh of Derb (1978) shortstory by Ursula K. Le Guin
The New Atlantis (1975) novelette by Ursula K. Le Guin
The Pathways of Desire (1979) novelette by Ursula K. Le Guin
The Phoenix (1982) shortstory by Ursula K. Le Guin
The Water Is Wide (1976) shortstory by Ursula K. Le Guin
The White Donkey (1980) shortstory by Ursula K. Le Guin
The Wife’s Story (1982) shortstory by Ursula K. Le Guin
Two Delays on the Northern Line [Orsinia] (1979) shortstory by Ursula K. Le Guin
Discover the extraordinary world of Ursula K. Le Guin, a visionary Grand Master of Science Fiction and Fantasy, with this comprehensive collection, "Winds Twelve Quarters & Compass Rose." This exceptional paperback edition brings together two seminal short story collections from one of literature's most acclaimed voices, offering a profound exploration of human nature, society, and the boundless possibilities of imagination. Ursula K. Le Guin's impact on speculative fiction is immeasurable, and these stories showcase the depth, intellectual rigor, and lyrical prose that have earned her prestigious accolades, including Hugo and Nebula Awards, and cemented her legacy as a literary titan. "The Wind's Twelve Quarters," her debut collection, immediately established her as a master storyteller, featuring iconic works that have resonated with readers for decades. Within its pages lies the unforgettable "The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas," a Hugo Award-winning philosophical masterpiece that continues to spark debate and introspection about morality and sacrifice. Alongside it, you'll find the Nebula Award-winning "The Day Before the Revolution," a poignant glimpse into a dying world and the quiet dignity of its inhabitants. This collection also includes the Hugo-nominated "Winter's King," a captivating tale that first introduced readers to the richly imagined world later explored in Le Guin's groundbreaking novel, "The Left Hand of Darkness." Complementing this landmark collection is "The Compass Rose," a treasure trove of further brilliance. This volume delves into diverse landscapes, from the introspective to the epic, featuring stories that further illuminate Le Guin's Hainish universe, a shared mythological space that connects many of her celebrated works. Explore the haunting beauty of "Semley's Necklace," a story intricately linked to her Hainish Cycle, and the thought-provoking "The Rule of Names" and "The Word of Unbinding," which offer tantalizing glimpses into her beloved Earthsea Cycle. This meticulously curated collection is a testament to Le Guin's unparalleled ability to craft intricate, thought-provoking narratives that linger long after the final page. Her short fiction is renowned for its exploration of complex themes, its deeply realized characters, and its unique blend of speculative elements with profound humanistic insights. Whether you are a longtime admirer of Ursula K. Le Guin or a newcomer eager to discover her genius, "Winds Twelve Quarters & Compass Rose" is an essential addition to your library. Immerse yourself in the imaginative power and enduring wisdom of a true literary luminary.