by J. L. Comeau
The Tomb of Dark Deights
The Wild Girls is a novella that was a nominee for the 2003 Hugo Award and winner of the Nebula, published here for the first time in book form, revised for this volume by the author who helped give voice to a silent generation with her groundbreaking novel The Left Hand of Darkness. Ms. Le Guin’s “Wild Girls” continues her exploration race, gender and socio-politics, envisioning a three-caste society in which power and greed have outstripped and destroyed charity and justice. In this bleak setting, two young slave girls struggle to break the chains that shackle their bodies and their hearts, leading them to hard-won destinies that are both sad and empowering. While the novella is absolutely marvelous, Ms. Le Guin’s infamously scathing essay, “Staying Awake While We Read”, exposes and flays open the hidden bare-knuckled avarice of today’s corporate publishing. The prickly courage of these revelations are a tribute to Ms. Le Guin’s force of character and clarity of thought. As always, she cuts to the very bone of the matter. Also included are some of the author’s marvelous poems, plus an in-depth interview with Terry Bisson, “A Lovely Art”. SF fans, rejoice! This is a collection that will entertain while opening your mind and heart.