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samwreads's review against another edition
4.0
(read as part of the social distancing book club 2020)
For Voices, the second book in the Western Shore series, we get a pretty serious change of pace to a more political tale in a large city, one occupied by a foreign army that sees reading as a demonic practice (they do love spoken stories though, conveniently enough!). We also get a new central character in Memer, who I think is much more interesting than Orrec. She is less brooding and more adventurous, journeying by herself throughout the city in disguise as a boy, running errands, talking to strangers and spying on people. She has an interesting place in her household, being of the same ancestry as the "waylord" at the head of the house, but also answering to the housekeeper and stable master and running errands for them.
The main plot revolves around Orrec and Gry from Gifts coming to the city and using the power of words and introspection to help Memer and her house bring resolution to the conflict with the occupying forces. To do this, Memer must find her voice and re-establish her connection with the city's founders. Gry is a much more interesting character in this book than she was in Gifts, and is one of Memer's main companions throughout. Indeed, Memer doesn't really have any other "friends" her age apart from other members of the household staff, so her relationships with Gry and the Waylord offer a unique social dynamic. Ultimately Voices is more complex than in Gifts, more political and with more side stories and characters, but it's still well-crafted and satisfying.
(the rest of this review covers some of the symbolism and philosophy in the book and may contain spoilers depending on how much you care about these sorts of things).
I know LeGuin has talked about being strongly influenced by Taoism and the Tao Te Ching, and I see a clear echo of that here in the city and in the oracle fountain. Water is a strong symbol in Taoism, which sees strength in mutability, ambiguity, and avoiding direct use of force. The oracle, with its oracle fountain, speaks in just this sort of ambiguity, and throughout the history of the city, it flourishes when avoiding direct conflict, instead learning to build social and economic relationships with former aggressors. tldr: Voices is a particularly strong example of LeGuin sharing and promoting Taoist principles of non-violence, mutability and introspection.
For Voices, the second book in the Western Shore series, we get a pretty serious change of pace to a more political tale in a large city, one occupied by a foreign army that sees reading as a demonic practice (they do love spoken stories though, conveniently enough!). We also get a new central character in Memer, who I think is much more interesting than Orrec. She is less brooding and more adventurous, journeying by herself throughout the city in disguise as a boy, running errands, talking to strangers and spying on people. She has an interesting place in her household, being of the same ancestry as the "waylord" at the head of the house, but also answering to the housekeeper and stable master and running errands for them.
The main plot revolves around Orrec and Gry from Gifts coming to the city and using the power of words and introspection to help Memer and her house bring resolution to the conflict with the occupying forces. To do this, Memer must find her voice and re-establish her connection with the city's founders. Gry is a much more interesting character in this book than she was in Gifts, and is one of Memer's main companions throughout. Indeed, Memer doesn't really have any other "friends" her age apart from other members of the household staff, so her relationships with Gry and the Waylord offer a unique social dynamic. Ultimately Voices is more complex than in Gifts, more political and with more side stories and characters, but it's still well-crafted and satisfying.
(the rest of this review covers some of the symbolism and philosophy in the book and may contain spoilers depending on how much you care about these sorts of things).
Spoiler
Since there is a strong philosophical bent to much of LeGuin's work, I think it's worth pointing out some symbolism that runs throughout. There's obviously a strong religious element to the book, with the residents of the city believing in a polytheistic (pantheistic?) universe and seeing regular manifestations of their gods in everyday life. There's also a dualism between the fire god of the invading forces and the water god in the city's pantheon. The invaders see fire as a life-giving force and water as a destroyer, whereas water speaks to the city in the form of the Oracle Fountain, historically serving as the foundation for the city.I know LeGuin has talked about being strongly influenced by Taoism and the Tao Te Ching, and I see a clear echo of that here in the city and in the oracle fountain. Water is a strong symbol in Taoism, which sees strength in mutability, ambiguity, and avoiding direct use of force. The oracle, with its oracle fountain, speaks in just this sort of ambiguity, and throughout the history of the city, it flourishes when avoiding direct conflict, instead learning to build social and economic relationships with former aggressors. tldr: Voices is a particularly strong example of LeGuin sharing and promoting Taoist principles of non-violence, mutability and introspection.
bluestarfish's review against another edition
5.0
We're back again in the Annals of the Western Shore, but this time a different place and time with a different set of main characters (although with a return of an older Gyr and Orrec accompanied by a halflion). The great trade city of Ansul has been under occupation for the last 17 years by the Ald who believe books and words are the domain of the devil and have destroyed the library and banned reading and books. Memer is a young girl who grew up under occupation at the formerly grand House of Oracle. It has religion, politics, searching for alternatives to violence, and wondering about who creates the grand feasts at the "end" of epic tales for all the heroes to come back to and enjoy... Memer is an interesting girl who is searching for her identity and role in life and happens to be living through "exciting times". I really like her journey.
I enjoyed this re-read a lot. And I appreciate a middle book of a trilogy that doesn't feel like a middle book of a trilogy.
I enjoyed this re-read a lot. And I appreciate a middle book of a trilogy that doesn't feel like a middle book of a trilogy.
maenad_wordsmith's review against another edition
Another fantastic book by Le Guin--a resistance story with a profound love of books and peace.
justgj's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
justicen1511's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
osomo's review against another edition
Особенно нет причин; я начала ее читать в СПб, а вернувшись в Москву не продолжила. То ли времени не было, то ли желания, я не помню
sarahbringhurstfamilia's review against another edition
4.0
I wasn't crazy about the first book ([b:Gifts|13648|Gifts (Annals of the Western Shore, #1)|Ursula K. Le Guin|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1390180975s/13648.jpg|1257800]) in this newest series by Ursula le Guin. But this second book is lyrical, beautiful, and understated.
I can never resist a story about the ruins of a secret, legendary library. But le Guin isn't just pulling the heart-strings of bibliophiles with the plot device of the ruined library. There is much food for thought about politics, philosophy, religion, and individual responsibility in her carefully crafted, deceptively simple plot. And the characters--all of them--are so real and complex they almost breathe.
Le Guin's books are quite unique in their genre, and a reader unused to her particular ethos and style might miss events so significant they color and shape the entire plot. Her philosophy of alternative power structures and the mystic significance she attaches to the simple, vital task of keeping a household alive shine through in this subtle, powerful novel. I may have to reread Gifts to see if I missed something the first time through.
I can never resist a story about the ruins of a secret, legendary library. But le Guin isn't just pulling the heart-strings of bibliophiles with the plot device of the ruined library. There is much food for thought about politics, philosophy, religion, and individual responsibility in her carefully crafted, deceptively simple plot. And the characters--all of them--are so real and complex they almost breathe.
Le Guin's books are quite unique in their genre, and a reader unused to her particular ethos and style might miss events so significant they color and shape the entire plot. Her philosophy of alternative power structures and the mystic significance she attaches to the simple, vital task of keeping a household alive shine through in this subtle, powerful novel. I may have to reread Gifts to see if I missed something the first time through.
mrsdragon's review against another edition
4.0
This book reads like a love letter to books. Memer is a character who feels strongly and loves deeply and she sweeps you along. The details of governance and the political positioning were intriguing and the power given to books, reading, and language was wonderful. This maybe my favorite in the trilogy.
eliseabril's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0