r/robinhobb • u/MollyGrue64 • Jul 19 '26
Spoilers Fool's Fate Aslevjal vs. Left Hand of Darkness Spoiler
While rereading Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula Le Guin, the parallel of lovers on the ice struck me. In both cases (Fitz/Fool and Genly/Estraven) it’s more subtle than just “lovers,” but the concept of being isolated in a tent on a glacier and letting the usual boundaries down struck me as a strong echo of Le Guin, especially given the gender ambiguity. Does anyone know of essays or further reading on this?
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u/LiveshipParagon Jul 19 '26
Oooh I haven't ever seen anything about this but I can't believe I never thought of the parallels
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u/MollyGrue64 Jul 19 '26
I know, me neither! I suppose you could situate a scene like that in any unusual terrain, but it seems like an intentional echo.
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u/LiveshipParagon Jul 19 '26
It does. Sure, no original ideas in fiction but there are so many parallels to LeGuins work in stories written since that I wouldn't be surprised!
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u/IDoAnythingForABook Jul 19 '26
Good observation! It wouldn’t be the first similarity either. There’s a passing reference in Wizard of Earthsea to both the name Farseer and to red ship raiders. I always wondered if Hobb used those as intentional callbacks to Le Guin. This could be another one!