{"version":"1.0","type":"rich","provider_name":"Acast","provider_url":"https://acast.com","height":250,"width":700,"html":"<iframe src=\"https://embed.acast.com/$/63dc10d32dba3100108683e2/6627e052e18843001261ad4a?\" frameBorder=\"0\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\"></iframe>","title":"The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin: hospitality and shifgrethor","description":"<p>In this episode, Neha and Shruti discuss one of the most acclaimed science fiction novels of all time: Ursula K. Le Guin's <a href=\"https://bookshop.org/a/98995/9780441478125\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">The Left Hand of Darkness</a>. We give you all the context you need to understand this complex and nuanced novel, and even some information you may not have thought you needed, including: the evolutionary biology of menstruation, gender constructs &amp; stereotypes, conflicts of love and trust, and much more.</p><p><br></p><p><em>Spoilers start at 33:19</em></p><p><br></p><p>Links:</p><p><a href=\"https://www.forbes.com/sites/quora/2016/05/06/how-and-why-did-women-evolve-periods/?sh=aa419bc57a30\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">How and Why did Women Evolve Periods?</a> by Suzanne Sadedin, PhD in evolutionary biology</p><p><br></p><p>Shelf Discovery and Books Mentioned:</p><p><a href=\"https://bookshop.org/a/98995/9780547722023\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">A Wizard of Earthsea</a> by Ursula K. Le Guin</p><p><a href=\"https://bookshop.org/a/98995/9780441172719\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Dune</a> by Frank Herbert</p><p><a href=\"https://bookshop.org/a/98995/9780141439471\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Frankenstein</a> by Mary Shelley</p><p><a href=\"https://bookshop.org/a/98995/9780440419518\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">His Dark Materials</a> by Phillip Pullman</p><p><br></p><p>If you would like to hear more in-depth literary analysis, curated book recommendations, and cultural commentary, <a href=\"https://open.acast.com/networks/6290f10b889cc00014eaca8c/shows/63dc10d32dba3100108683e2/episodes/subscribe%20to%20our%20free%20newsletter\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">subscribe to our free newsletter</a>.</p><p><br></p><p>We love to hear from listeners about the books we discuss - you can connect with us on <a href=\"https://www.instagram.com/thenoveltea.pod/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Instagram</a> or by emailing us at thenovelteapod@gmail.com.</p><p>This episode description contains links to Bookshop.org, a website that supports independent bookstores. If you use these links we may earn a small commission (which helps support our work) at no additional cost to you.</p>","author_name":"Neha & Shruti"}