Preview

Access a growing selection of included Audible Originals, audiobooks, and podcasts.
You will get an email reminder before your trial ends.
Audible Plus auto-renews for $7.95/mo after 30 days. Upgrade or cancel anytime.

The Birthday of the World

By: Ursula K. Le Guin
Narrated by: Christina Moore
Try for $0.00

$7.95 a month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $21.49

Buy for $21.49

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.

Publisher's summary

For more than four decades, Ursula K. Le Guin has enthralled fans with her imagination, clarity, and moral vision. The recipient of numerous literary prizes, including the National Book Award, the Kafka Award, and five Hugo and five Nebula Awards, this renowned writer has, in each story and novel, created a provocative, ever-evolving universe filled with diverse worlds and rich characters reminiscent of our earthly selves. Now, in The Birthday of the World, this gifted artist returns to these worlds in eight brilliant short works, including a never-before-published novella, each of which probes the essence of humanity.

©2002 Ursula K. Le Guin (P)2018 Recorded Books
activate_Holiday_promo_in_buybox_DT_T2

What listeners say about The Birthday of the World

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    54
  • 4 Stars
    17
  • 3 Stars
    5
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    1
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    51
  • 4 Stars
    10
  • 3 Stars
    7
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    48
  • 4 Stars
    12
  • 3 Stars
    7
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    1

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

90% bangers, great marathon

This narrator is extremely fun to listen to. Paradises Lost, Matter of Seggri, Old Music & Solitude are my favorites

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Wonderful!

I'm late coming to know Ursula K. Le Guin's work, but I've fast become a fan. Although her work is sometimes classified as for young adults, I can say that her work is absolutely for adults of all ages.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

9 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

An Important Book

I listened twice. Some parts three times. The first time I finished, I wanted to write, "this is a good book," or some similar mundanity. Now I think this is an important book-- prescient and reflective.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

9 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent. A must.

Classic Le Guin. Some works I love more, some less, but none are a waste of time; all have their own little graces and blessings, revelations, delicious prose and stunning feats of closlSome of her work

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

A wonderful collection of Le Guin’s worlds

I’ve always enjoyed Le Guin’s work. It is very unique for the science fiction/fantasy genre.
Although I read a great deal of sci-fi, I mostly enjoy writers that create new worlds of exploration and experience; stories that don’t necessarily have a place of recognisable time or place.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

The Birthday of the World

Ms. La Guin's writing is spellbinding. Her world concepts are unique and magical. I would willing spend significantly more time immersed in her well crafted universe if al!owed. Thank you Ms. La Guin for sharing your dreams with us mere mortals.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

8 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Only worth it for Paradises Lost

Not Le Guin’s best. Paradises Lost is the only story in this collection that really highlights her ability to bring together truly engaging characters, a unique plot, and ideas to ponder.

* Coming of age in Karhide - 3 stars
* The matter of Seggri - 3 stars
* Unchosen love - 3 stars
* Mountain ways - 3 stars
* Solitude - 3 stars
* Old music and the slave women - 2.5 stars
* The birthday of the world - 3 stars
* Paradises lost 4 stars

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

10 people found this helpful