Rocannon's World

I don't feel right giving a 1-star review to a book that I actually finished, so 2 it is. But the truth is, I only finished this book because I've enjoyed others in the Hainish cycle and I intend to read others (and probably re-read some). Essentially, I used up some of Ms. Le Guin's karma to power through the book.

I've read that this book shows the glimmers of her promise, but nearly nothing in this book appealed to me. There are a few tendrils leeching out to (and in from) her larger universe, which I guess has promise, but that's it. I found the characters flat, the language stilted and awkward, and the plot did essentially nothing for me. Were this another book, I'd probably have said I finished it out of spite, not hope…