Hainish Cycle Books in Order
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The Hainish Cycle is a science fiction series by Ursula K. Le Guin, comprising 15 books published between 1966 and 2002, including 7 novels from 1966 to 2000 among other publications. The series is set in a future history involving human civilizations on planets orbiting nearby stars, including Earth, known as Terra. These humans, who did not evolve on Earth but were established by interstellar colonies from the ancient planet Hain, begin to make contact and form diplomatic relations. The series explores human evolution and cultural development across diverse planetary environments. Some human populations possess unique genetic traits resulting from Hainish genetic engineering. Le Guin often distanced herself from the term "Hainish Cycle," though the works are commonly grouped under this label.
Books in this series
Ordered by first publication where known. The official numbering for this series is incomplete in our sources, so we don't show series numbers we can't verify.
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Buy on Amazon1966 · Ursula K. Le Guin
Earth-scientist Rocannon leads an ethnological survey on a remote planet home to three native races: the cavern-dwelling Gdemiar, the elvish Fiia,…
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Buy on Amazon1966 · Ursula K. Le Guin
The Earth colony of Landin has been stranded on the planet Werel for ten years, but ten years on Werel equal over 600 terrestrial years. The small…
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Buy on Amazon1967 · Ursula K. Le Guin
A 1967 novel by Ursula K. Le Guin. A fully grown man is found alone in a dense forest with no memory of who or what he is, and eyes unlike a human's.…
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Buy on Amazon1969 · Ursula K. Le Guin
Ursula K. Le Guin's 1969 novel The Left Hand of Darkness is a science fiction work that explores themes of gender and identity. The story follows an…
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Buy on Amazon1972 · Ursula K. Le Guin
This 1972 science fiction novella by Ursula K. Le Guin, first published in English as a book in 1976, is set centuries in the future on a…
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Buy on Amazon1974 · Ursula K. Le Guin
Shevek, a brilliant physicist, decides to take action by seeking answers and challenging the beliefs that have kept his planet of anarchists isolated…
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Buy on Amazon1974 · Ursula K. Le Guin
A 1974 science fiction short story by Ursula K. Le Guin focusing on the bittersweet ruminations of an old woman who began a social movement in her…
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1990 · Ursula K. Le Guin
"The Shobies' Story" is a 1990 science fiction novella by Ursula K. Le Guin. It follows the first human crew to use a new faster-than-light space…
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Buy on Amazon1994 · Ursula K. Le Guin
An award-winning story collection ranging from the everyday to the outer limits of experience, where the quantum uncertainties of space and time are…
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1995 · Ursula K. Le Guin
"Coming of Age in Karhide" is a science fiction novelette by Ursula K. Le Guin, first published in 1995. Set on the planet Gethen, the story is part…
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Buy on Amazon1995 · Ursula K. Le Guin
On the twin planets of Werel and Yeowe, humankind is divided into "assets" and "owners," with tradition and liberation at war. Four intimately…
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Buy on Amazon2000 · Ursula K. Le Guin
Planet Aka was once a culturally rich world but has been completely changed by technology. Past records have been destroyed, and people are closely…
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Buy on Amazon2002 · Ursula K. Le Guin
A 2002 collection of eight short works by Ursula K. Le Guin, including a never-before-published novella, each probing the essence of humanity through…
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Frequently asked questions
What order should I read the Hainish Cycle books in?
Publication order — Recommended by Ursula K. Le Guin herself, who advised reading the first three novels because they were written first, then the remaining novels in any order; widely echoed by readers and reference sites.
How many books are in the Hainish Cycle series?
We list 14 books by Ursula K. Le Guin , published between 1966–2002.
Where can I buy the Hainish Cycle books?
Each title above links to Amazon. See our affiliate disclosure.
More series like Hainish Cycle
Reading order compiled from author/publisher guidance and verified bibliographic data. Spotted a wrong order, a missing book, or any other mistake? and we'll correct it.