A review by gengelcox
The Matter of Seggri by Ursula K. Le Guin

5.0

In some ways a culmination of Le Guin’s feminist work, this story depicts a society in which the roles are not only reversed—women having the power, men having privilege—but exaggerated, and that is to explore the matter of gender roles created and enforced on people. The story is told by multiple reports from both people living in the society and those from outside, Terrans or Hains, including an initial first contract group, a more engaged mobiles intended to infiltrate and explore, then longer and longer engagements from the outside. The result is both depressing and enlightening, as Le Guin explores what it means to use gender. Recommended.