Always Coming Home

Always Coming Home cover
Good Books rating 4.17

Technical:
  • ID: 1173
  • Added: 2025-09-27
  • Updated: 2025-09-27
  • ISBN: 9780520227354
  • Publisher: Univ of California Press
  • Published: 2001-02-27
  • Formats: 29
  • Reviews: 3
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Always Coming Home is an ethnographic novel that imagines life in California's Napa Valley far in the future, not as a high-tech utopia but as a return to a simpler, earth-centered existence. The book is presented as a collection of stories, poems, and songs, offering a rich tapestry of a culture that has reclaimed a connection to the land and its natural rhythms. /n/n This novel stands out for its innovative structure and deep exploration of human society, blending elements of anthropology with speculative fiction. It's a work that invites readers to ponder how humanity might evolve and adapt in a world where technology is not the dominant force.

Reviews
AGreenManReview · 2025-09-27
immersive 4.50

The book allows the Kesh to speak for themselves through a variety of literary forms. It is a dense and immersive exploration of a unique culture.

This review praises 'Always Coming Home' for its innovative approach to storytelling, allowing the Kesh culture to be explored through a mosaic of short stories, poems, and myths. The reviewer finds this method immersive and effective, providing a deep understanding of the Kesh way of life. They highlight the book's density and complexity, which they see as strengths that enhance the reading experience. The reviewer also notes that Le Guin's skillful use of different narrative forms makes the book a standout work.


Quick quotes

    Le Guin lets the Kesh speak for themselves, allowing the reader to learn about them through a patchwork quilt of short stories, poems, and myths.

    It is another dense, late-career doorstop of a book considered in equal parts the summit of a life's work.

    The book is an unsung masterpiece from one of fantastic literature's greatest writers.

RR Horton's Blog · RR Horton · 2024-04-24
rewarding 3.75

The narrative of Stone Telling is particularly engaging, and parts of the book are truly loved by the reviewer. Overall, it is a rewarding read.

RR Horton shares a mixed but generally positive view of 'Always Coming Home.' They particularly enjoy the narrative of Stone Telling, finding it involving and well-crafted. While not every part of the book resonates equally, Horton appreciates the overall experience and finds it a valuable addition to Le Guin's body of work. The reviewer notes that the book's unique structure and depth make it a rewarding read, despite some unevenness.


Quick quotes

    What's my final verdict? I'm glad I read Always Coming Home.

    Parts of it I truly loved.

    Stone Telling's narrative is really involving and engaging.

Resilience.org · 2023-02-16
thought-provoking 4.25

The book presents a complex and unfamiliar culture through a collection of interconnected texts. It challenges traditional narrative structures and invites readers to engage deeply with its themes.

This review highlights the unique structure of 'Always Coming Home,' which is not a single story but a patchwork of texts that together illustrate the Kesh culture. The reviewer appreciates the depth and complexity of this approach, noting how it differs from conventional storytelling. They also emphasize the book's ability to make readers think critically about societal structures and human nature. The reviewer finds the book thought-provoking and rich in detail, making it a standout work in Le Guin's oeuvre.


Quick quotes

    Always Coming Home is not a single story but a collection of texts that weave together to elucidate the complex and quite unfamiliar culture of the Kesh.

    It challenges traditional narrative structures and invites readers to engage deeply with its themes.

    The book makes you think about the human condition in a gentle, investigative manner.