The Left Hand of Darkness

　　一年到頭氣候均為嚴寒的冬星上，居民的外貌酷似地球人，卻有個重大差異：他們平日是中性，只在情慾勃發期時身體會變化出性別，具備性魅力以尋找性伴侶；一旦情慾期結束，又回復成無性的身體狀態。
　　
　　星際聯盟的男性使者真力．艾，隻身來到一年到頭氣候均為嚴寒的冬星，自此踏入同體雙性的異文化世界。此星居民生理上平日毫無性別之分，只有在情慾勃發期時，身體才會變化出性別，具備性魅力以尋找性伴侶；一旦情慾期結束，又回復無性的生理狀態。真力．艾一面研究此地社會文化，一面身負重責大任，希望說服冬星政府加入星際聯盟。然而多疑的國王要求他證明星際文明科技當真存在的方式，是向星際聯盟傳訊提問：
　　
　　「何以一個人會成為叛國賊？」
　　
　　真力．艾不明所以地捲入了詭譎的政治鬥爭，唯一幫助過他的大臣埃思特梵，在一夕之間遭判放逐重罪，他在此地孤立無援，計畫前往他國以謀求新的結盟機會。他的想法是否過於天真？面對奇特的生理性別差異和複雜的社交文化，在信任與背叛、保守與開放、光明與陰影之間，他能夠穿越嚴酷的冰原，重返人生嗎？

　　本書中文譯本由繆思出版

　　A deluxe hardcover edition of the queen of science fiction’s trailblazing novel about a planet full of genderless beings—part of Penguin Galaxy, a collectible series of six sci-fi/fantasy classics, featuring a series introduction by Neil Gaiman

　　A groundbreaking work of science fiction, The Left Hand of Darknesstells the story of a lone human emissary’s mission to Winter, an unknown alien world whose inhabitants can choose—and change—their gender. His goal is to facilitate Winter’s inclusion in a growing intergalactic civilization. But to do so he must bridge the gulf between his own views and those of the completely dissimilar culture that he encounters. Exploring questions of psychology, society, and human emotion in an alien world, The Left Hand of Darkness stands as a landmark achievement in the annals of science fiction

　　Penguin Galaxy

　　Six of our greatest masterworks of science fiction and fantasy, in dazzling collector-worthy hardcover editions, and featuring a series introduction by #1 New York Times bestselling author Neil Gaiman, Penguin Galaxy represents a constellation of achievement in visionary fiction, lighting the way toward our knowledge of the universe, and of ourselves. From historical legends to mythic futures, monuments of world-building to mind-bending dystopias, these touchstones of human invention and storytelling ingenuity have transported millions of readers to distant realms, and will continue for generations to chart the frontiers of the imagination.

　　The Once and Future King by T. H. White
　　Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert A. Heinlein
　　Dune by Frank Herbert
　　2001: A Space Odyssey by Arthur C. Clarke
　　The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin
　　Neuromancer by William Gibson

　　For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,700 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators.

作者簡介

娥蘇拉．勒瑰恩（Ursula K. Le Guin）

　　美國重要奇幻科幻、女性主義文學作家，1929年 生。父親Alfred Kroeber是人類學家，母親Theodora Kroeber是心理學家暨作家，出身書香世家的她，從小便受到多元文化觀的洗禮。著有長篇小說20餘部，另有短篇小說集、詩集、評論集、童書等多部著 作；並編纂文選與從事翻譯，包括將老子《道德經》譯成英文。曾獲美國國家書卷獎、號角書獎、紐伯瑞獎、世界奇幻獎、軌跡獎、星雲獎、雨果獎、小詹姆斯．提 普翠獎、卡夫卡獎、普須卡獎……等，以及SFWA大師、洛杉磯時報Robert Kirsch終生成就獎等榮譽。

　　她的奇幻成長小說系列「地海六部 曲」與「魔戒」、「納尼亞傳說」並列奇幻經典，科幻小說《黑暗的左手》、《一無所有》等也是科幻迷心目中永遠的經典。小說探討的議題，從自我成長與認同， 到社會制度探討與性別問題，都鞭辟入裡，在優美恬澹的敘事風格中予人寬廣深沈的省思空間。西洋文學評論家哈洛．卜倫將她列為美國經典作家之列，日本作家村 上春樹也是她的書迷。

　　勒瑰恩的正式網站：www.ursulakleguin.com

　　Ursula K. Le Guin is the first author to win both the Hugo and Nebula awards twice. Her novels include Rocannon’s World, Planet of Exile, City of Illusions, and The Dispossessed. Born in Berkeley, California, in 1929, Le Guin lives in Portland, Oregon.

　　Neil Gaiman (series introduction) is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of more than twenty books for readers of all ages, including American Gods, The Ocean at the End of the Lane, The Graveyard Book, Coraline, and the Sandman series of graphic novels. He is Professor in the Arts at Bard College.

　　 Alex Trochut (cover designer) is an award-winning artist, graphic designer, illustrator, and typographer. He has designed for The New York Times, The Guardian, Nike, Adidas, The Rolling Stones, Coca-Cola, and Pepsi and was nominated for a 2016 Grammy Award for Best Recording Package. Born in Barcelona, Spain, he lives in Brooklyn.