City of Illusions

by Ursula K. Le Guin

Published 4 October 1973
Each volume in the "Modern Women Writers" series offers a complete fictional work by a contemporary female writer, which reflects a different culture and set of experiences. The books contain extensive study material and assignments at a range of levels for GCSE English and English literature courses. In addition to pre-reading activities and notes, the novels contain a reading log with ideas for group and individual assignments to help pupils comprehend the text. This is the story of a journey of discovery - a story full of riddles, allegories and echoes of ancient cultures; of Utopia, a fantastic city. It is a story of the discovery of many alien cultures in a "far-future Earth", of identity and self-knowledge by Falk, the central character, and of what is essentially human and civilizing in us all. The text is also suitable for adult students taking English examinations and for overseas students.