Le Guin earliest work stayed the most popular and got the most recognition. A reviewer in 2018 said that she often lectured the reader in her later works. John Clute, wrote in "The Guardian", that she felt responsible for explaining important things clearly, and that this was difficult for her. Some critics disliked some of her work. "The Compass Rose" had a mixed reaction. Even the critically well-received "The Left Hand of Darkness" was criticized by some feminists.