Reviews with content warning for Genocide - The Word For The World Is Forest

Reviews tagging 'Genocide'

The Word For The World Is Forest by Ursula K. Le Guin

31 reviews

idan's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark reflective tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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loki's review against another edition

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challenging informative sad fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.75

This book feels very heavy on social commentary and very light on plot and characterisation - but then that is exactly what Le Guin herself said it is, and even regretted the fact of what this book is. However, what this book does very well is world-building. The native culture of Ashthe feels incredibly rich and realistic, without falling into idealism. I particularly enjoyed the way the book contrasts how the human colonisers speak about and conceptualise the "creechies" compared to how the natives think of themselves - the contrasting use of the words "man" and "woman" in both perspectives make a very interesting point about categories of personhood.

I also think this probably isn't a great starting point for the Hainish cycle, but that is literally no one's fault but my own. I'm hoping to get round to reading The Left Hand of Darkness soon.

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wormgirl's review against another edition

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adventurous dark reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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capella's review against another edition

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dark reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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iof's review against another edition

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inspiring fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? N/A
Loveable characters? N/A
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

This is the first work by Ursula Le Guin I've read. I read it cover to cover in one sitting.

The book is a short parable about colonialism and genocide told from three perspectives: that of Davidson - a chauvinist army man in charge of managing the military logging and slaving operation on a reion of the Planet Athshe; Lyubov - an anthropologist documenting events; and Selver - an indigenous human who leads a revolt against the colonists.

It is okay but does repeat a number of clichés and tropes which have come under scrutiny in recent years. If you can look past the noble savage trope, the idealisation of supposed primitive societies, and the deceptively simple seeming narative, I think there is a lot to enjoy.

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