Malafrena

Malafrena is a fictional island nation and the setting for Ursula K. Le Guin's 1979 novel Malafrena. The novel explores themes of political idealism, revolution, and the complexities of social change within the context of this imagined world.

Malafrena is located in a region inspired by, but not directly mirroring, 19th-century Europe. Its society is structured with a landed gentry, peasant farmers, and an emerging intellectual class. The country is portrayed as being on the cusp of significant social and political upheaval.

The political climate of Malafrena in the novel is marked by tensions between the established aristocratic order and burgeoning revolutionary movements seeking greater rights and representation for the peasantry and working class. Characters grapple with questions of political action, personal integrity, and the potential consequences of their choices in a time of rapid change. The landscape itself is described as integral to the culture and values of the Malafrenan people, reflecting the agricultural basis of their society.