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jimmyviera's review against another edition
5.0
No one writes the way LeGuin writes. I am constantly floored by her work. Another gem.
frankieclc's review against another edition
3.0
had no idea what was going on but it had a powerful underlying message also i think this book inspired avatar honestly
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Colonisation, War, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Rape
katybug25's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.25
pinkeyeofsauron's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
erasmios's review against another edition
4.0
The Athshean culture Le Guin has created feels organic and cohesive, apparently coincidentally sharing many similarities with the Senoi people of Malaysia. For the little green men of Athshe dreaming isn't separated from reality, but the other half of it. The book is quite short so it left me hoping for more details regarding the Athshean way of living as we don't really see how the wake-dreaming works until the very end. But that's just something all good books do, they leave you wanting more. At least the story never stagnates but rolls forward at a steady pace.
Even when writing about distant planets and alien species that don't exist, Le Guin had the talent to write about real things, things that actually matter. Here Le Guin warns us how dangerous it can be to not see people as people, but as animals, as rats. How easily one can consider slave camps "The Voluntary Autochthonous Labour Corps", or how easily the end justifies the means if it's for the good of the human race. The evil in this novel is utterly corrupted, beyond salvation, probably the evilest Le Guin has ever written. I wonder if Colonel Miles Quaritch (Avatar) was modelled after Captain Davidson (they honestly feel like the same character to me). The bellicose evil he represents isn't fictional but has fought, killed, tortured, raped, murdered and burned homes since the dawn of man.
This novel is a must-read for all SciFi fans.
Even when writing about distant planets and alien species that don't exist, Le Guin had the talent to write about real things, things that actually matter. Here Le Guin warns us how dangerous it can be to not see people as people, but as animals, as rats. How easily one can consider slave camps "The Voluntary Autochthonous Labour Corps", or how easily the end justifies the means if it's for the good of the human race. The evil in this novel is utterly corrupted, beyond salvation, probably the evilest Le Guin has ever written. I wonder if Colonel Miles Quaritch (Avatar) was modelled after Captain Davidson (they honestly feel like the same character to me). The bellicose evil he represents isn't fictional but has fought, killed, tortured, raped, murdered and burned homes since the dawn of man.
This novel is a must-read for all SciFi fans.
polliam's review against another edition
dark
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
petty_anthropology's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Colonisation, Death, Violence, Grief, and War
Moderate: Rape
miesebriese's review against another edition
5.0
made me remember how good books can be how much there can be said in just round about 100 pages how dense and impactful a story can be... there also can be a lot said about human nature etc etc but imo the book did that well enough there is no need for me to comment on anything, im just impressed by the writing
samlikestoreadbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
4.0