I still did enjoy it, I really did. It was just so... Boring. I did like the character building with Estraven, that was a highlight. The overarching plot between the Ekumen, Karhide, and Orogoryen presented an interesting dichotomy but somehow still felt overly simple. For me, maybe needed one more layer of complexity or just more pages devoted to fleshing it out.

There was,of course, Le Guin's insights on gender here and there, distilled down together that would make for an excellent essay. Maybe there is one out there I ought to look for.

Seriously, once the long trek began I just wanted the book over with. There were some nice moments and interesting developments between Genly and Estraven, but wish it was presently differently.