Left Hand of Darkness is more likely than the Harrison, but it's over
thirty years since I read it.
> From: "Martin Dolan" <[log in to unmask]>
>
>> I'm not sure where I came across the word first. It seems to have an
>> SF resonance. Doug or someone - can you remember an SF story that had
>> estivation as a prominent component?
>
> I'm not sure if either quite fits estivation, but there's Harry
> Harrison's _Planet of the Damned_ and Ursula le Guin's _Left Hand of
> Darkness_.
>
> In both cases (and Doug, correct me if I'm wrong here) a central
> character goes into a shorter or longer spell of biological
> semi-hibernation.
>
> Of course, the protagonist of Henry Kuttner's _Fury_, Sam Harker, is
> precipitated into a prolonged period of estivation, at least twice.
> But I don't think the term is used there.
>
> Like Martin, I have a feeling there's some sort of precise SF
> reference in the background somewhere.
>
> I suppose, though, Dracula estivates while in his coffin.
>
> Robin
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