Ursula K. Le Guin

Ursula K. Le Guin is a highly acclaimed American author, best known for her works in the genres of science fiction, fantasy, and children's literature. She has published twenty-two novels, eleven volumes of short stories, four collections of essays, twelve books for children, six volumes of poetry, and four of translation, receiving numerous awards for her work, including Hugo, Nebula, National Book Award, PEN-Malamud, and many others. Le Guin's writing is known for its exploration of alternative realities, with a particular focus on themes of gender, religion, and sexuality.

Le Guin's upbringing and education have significantly influenced her writing. She was born in Berkeley, California, to anthropologist Alfred Kroeber and writer Theodora Kroeber, and grew up in a household that valued cultural diversity and intellectual curiosity. This background is reflected in her work, which often features complex, imagined societies and cultures. Le Guin's interest in anthropology is particularly evident in her Hainish Cycle, a series of science fiction novels that follow the anthropologist's experience of immersing themselves in new and strange cultures.

Le Guin's writing has had a profound impact on the science fiction and fantasy genres, influencing numerous notable authors, including Salman Rushdie, David Mitchell, Neil Gaiman, and Iain Banks. Her work has been praised for its imaginative world-building, nuanced characters, and exploration of complex themes. In 2014, Le Guin was awarded the National Book Foundation Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters, in recognition of her significant contributions to literature. She resided in Portland, Oregon, until her death in 2018.