OBITUARY: Ursula le Guin, award-winning sci-fi writer who defied pigeon-holing
New York — Ursula K le Guin, the award-winning US science fiction and fantasy author, has died, her family announced on Tuesday. She was 88. Le Guin, an avowed feminist whose books have sold millions worldwide, is best remembered for the global bestselling Earthsea series, translated into many languages and adapted for the screen, in which an apprentice sorcerer fights against the powers of evil — decades before Harry Potter did the same. In a career that spanned decades, she published more than 20 novels, wrote children’s books, dozens of short stories, volumes of poetry and collections of essays. Tributes quickly poured in, with American horror writer Stephen King mourning her as "one of the greats". "Not just a science fiction writer; a literary icon. Godspeed into the galaxy," tweeted King. Le Guin was born in October 1929 in Berkeley, California, the daughter of anthropologist Alfred Kroeber, an expert on Native Americans, and Theodora Kroeber, who wrote Ishi in Two Worlds, an ...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.