The left hand of darkness summarised in Minutes - Summary with images and notes on the key plot points. The Left Hand of Darkness is a science fiction novel by U.S. writer Ursula K. Le Guin, published in 1969. The novel became immensely popular and established Le Guin's status as a major author of science fiction. Relates to the video available here: https://youtu.be/bDpwaIkvVgE

1. The Left Hand of
Darkness
Summarised in
Minutes

2. The story opens with a Parade, and the planet Gethen is described.

3. Genly meets Estraven.

4. King Argaven banishes Estraven but does not blame Genly and allows him to travel onward freely.

5. Trip to the oracles (Foretellers), they tell him his mission will be successful.

6. Estraven leaves Karhide meets his ex-partner who offers him money he does not take.

7. Genly applies to visit Orgoreyn, Estraven’s ex-partner gives him money to deliver to Estraven.

8. Upon arriving in Orgoreyn, Genly is warmly received, he is put up in a house full of luxuries he had
forgotten about during his time on ‘Winter’ (Karhide).

9. Estraven tries to warn him of opponents he has in this country, but Genly does not trust him.

10. Karhide and Orgoreyn are beginning to fight a war, something not well understood or practiced on this
planet.

11. Genly is arrested and placed in a concentration camp, known as a “volunteer farm”.

12. He is rescued from prison by Estraven who stuns him and carries him out.

13. The war starts.

14. Genly and Estraven communicate more closely and without manners, he also tries to teach Estraven
mind-speak, but Estraven does not like it.

15. Genly and Estraven travel across the glacier, Estraven advises him to call down his ship for proof of
his genuineness.

16. They both reach the border, but Estraven runs towards the border guards and is shot, which she
would have been well aware of.

17. Genly’s mission is completed successfully, King Argaven accepts the Ekumen’s proposal.