The story is atmospheric and magnificently written, providing a discussion of sexuality and gender along with political intrigue. The structural devices used by Le Guin are also interesting, as she intersperses the main plot with short chapters featuring 'historical' accounts, myths, and even scientific treatises on the people of Winter, all adding to the believability and scope of this book.
However, I found that my interest flagged somewhat during the extended trek across the ice (though it should certainly prove of interest to anyone keen on exploration and the like), and I was also disappointed that while the Gethenians are supposed to be asexual neuters, they still come across largely as male.
Partly this is because Le Guin chooses to use the male pronoun for convenience, but also because the characters seem to be written in a masculine mode. Of course, that may simply be my reading, and it is arguable that this in itself raises various questions about gender.
It didn't fulfill my expectations on that score, but as a whole, The Left Hand of Darkness is clearly a novel by a major writer at the very height of her powers, exploring a very intriguing concept.
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