This collection of short stories showcases Ursula Le Guin's absolute mastery of her craft. Of course, in any collection of stories, one will have favorites. The nice thing about this collection is the lesser stories are generally so, not because they are poor, but because they seem a bit incomplete; one wants more, to read more, to explore more, to roll the ideas and the settings around in one's mind.

My favorite story is the first. 'Semley's Necklace' is a touching tale of a sweet young woman, a bit naive, whose misunderstanding alters lives permanently.

Highly recommended. Enjoy!
5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful... but not for everyone, April 5, 2005 By Maria A (MI)

This is one of my most often-read and beloved books, the book I am most likely to pick up when I look at my bookshelf for something to read.

The Wind's Twelve Quarters is a retrospective, a collection of short stories that represents the author's career to date. The stories range from "April in Paris" (her first published story) to her `modern' works from the 1970's. They are a mix of fantasy and science fiction, many reflecting Le Guin's affinity for blending the two genres until they are indistinguishable.

Some of the stories visit worlds that LeGuin later developed into novels. "The Word of Unbinding" and "The Rule of Names" are set in Earthsea. "Sempley's Necklace" was later extended into the novel "Roccanon's World." "Winters King" takes place on the planet Winter, the setting of "The Left Hand of Darkness." Many other stories are set in original worlds.

Le Guin's writing style changes gradually over the years, giving the stories a sort of flow. The earlier tales are more plot-centered and simpler, while the later ones are more introspective and, frankly, more confusing.

It is because of the "confusing" part that I hesitate to recommend this book wholeheartedly. I, myself, love and cherish these stories. I have read each several times. There were a few which didn't make sense at first, but even those became clear after several rereads. This is the reason why this book has such a 're-readable value' for me. Each story leaves me with a somewhat different impression each time I read it, a slightly different understanding..

But that isn't for everyone.

If you are familiar with Ursula K. Le Guin's writing, then The Wind's Twelve Quarters is a must-have addition to your bookcase. If, however, you are new to her works, then I suggest reading some of her novels first.