Terra (Hainish cycle)

Terra or Earth plays a role in the Hainish Cycle of science fiction novels by Ursula K. Le Guin. Humans are supposed to be descendents of colonists from a planet called Hain. At some unspecified date, humans join the "League of Worlds", which includes the Cetians and other peoples of Hainish descent.

In "The Left Hand of Darkness", it is said that 'Hainish Normal' people were placed among Earth's own 'proto-hominid autochthones by the ancient Hainish 'Colonizers'. Modern humans are several times mentioned as being of Hainish descent. Whether the 'autochthones' were wiped out or interbred like the later Alterrans is not made clear.

People from Earth appear as aggressive settlers in "The Word for World is Forest". In "The Dispossessed", Cetians know it as a place with interestingly different ideas about physics. The ambassador from Terra later describes the planet to the protagonist as barren, barely suitable for living due to severe exploitation of natural resources throughout history.

A very different Earth is seen in "City of Illusions": contact with the stars has been lost and most people believe they have been invaded by the alien Shing, who can not however be recognised and whose existence is denied by some.

Various individuals from Earth play a part in other stories, most notably Genly Ai in "The Left Hand of Darkness". In"The Telling", Earth's incorporation into the Ekumen is briefly explained.

Regarding other works by Ursula Le Guin set on Earth, she explains:

:"The Eye of the Heron" may or may not be set in the Hainish universe; it really doesn't matter. As for "The Lathe of Heaven" and "Always Coming Home", my Terran science fiction novels, they definitely don't exist in the same universe as the Hainish or Ekumenical books. [ [http://www.ursulakleguin.com/FAQ_Questionnaire5_01.html#EkumenBooks "Frequently Asked Questions"] )]

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