such an abrupt ending

We have just finished reading The Left Hand of Darkness today and I have to say that the ending of the book was the part that made the most sense. Throughout this book the language was a little unusual and hard to understand. Unlike the other chapters, the last couple of chapters were very straight forward and the language was easy to understand. At the end of chapter 19, Homecoming, Estraven is sadly shot to death as he headed down the mountain. As Genly is holding Estraven right before his death, Genly reveals that he loves Estraven, although not verbally. Personally, I did not expect Genly to feel that way towards Estraven. I thought the two would just be very good friends. Also, I believe that Genly saw Estraven as a man, even though he was androgynous, which is what made Genly’s love a bit surprising to me. In chapter 20, A Fool’s Errand, Genly’s ship lands and a woman steps out. The woman didn’t even recognize Genly after all this time. She was also the first woman that he has seen in three years, so I can understand the awkwardness of the situation. I believe that Genly’s view of men and women will never be the same again after spending three years on Gethen and with its androgynous inhabitants.