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morenowagain's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
informative
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A very appropriate read for what's going on in the world right now.
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Xenophobia, Slavery, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Colonisation, Violence, Murder, Sexism, Drug use, Rape, Racism, Gun violence, Gore, Genocide, and Death
grcompain's review
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
augoost's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Beautifully written sci fi, well ahead of its time. The Athsheans are such a well thought-out race (definitely drawing inspiration from a lot of indigenous cultural traditions, spiritual beliefs, and community dynamics) that contrasts so starkly with the colonizing humans. The way that the Athsheans talk about dreams and the ways in which they govern their lives and the decisions made within communities is SO cool. This also makes the humans feel so out of touch, as people that don't pay attention to their dreams and are not as in touch with their impacts on the world around them. Aaand shows how colonialism is not only a violent act in itself, but that it also breeds violence as resistance becomes integral to the culture of those in the colony. A MUST READ
mbomersheim's review against another edition
dark
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I feel conflicted about giving this book the rating that I am.
The Word for World is Forest by Ursula K. Le Guin is a sci-fi novella that takes place after the desolation of Earth on a planet 27 years away that has been turned into a military logging colony for Earth even though an alien species already call the planet their home. This is a story about colonization, prejudice, xenophobia, and discussions about what is “human." This work is masterfully written. The author does a good job of dividing the focus between the protagonists, and the pacing is well done. The reason why I feel a bit icky about this book is that one of the protagonists is majorly problematic, and while I understand that is the point, reading from his perspective is uncomfortable and frustrating. This being said, I recommend picking this book up if you have the chance. It is short, and it feels like one of those books you could read for an English class.
jbrunell's review against another edition
dark
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
nebulous_tide's review against another edition
5.0
So much packed into just over 100 pages. Sexism, racism, slavery, what it means to label people in the 'other' group as sub-human. It also highlights the impact of power, which can be taken and wielded by so few for such a great effect.
I can see why this novella is a studied text in some courses. There is so much to consider!
I can see why this novella is a studied text in some courses. There is so much to consider!
pipode1234's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
whisperfox's review against another edition
2.0
It has taken me a while to write this review, because quite honestly this was the book I least liked out of all the LeGuin I read. It took a long time for this book to become available for me to read, and having finished it, I think I understand why -- at no point did I look forward to picking this book up.
There were aspects of it that were compelling and interesting. Linguistically, there was a lot going on, especially from the angle of how language and culture and worldview are all inextricably intertwined. The spiritual system was also very unusual, and I liked the way it was woven through the native everyday, and dictated a lot of their engagement with the world around them, and with opposition.
That being said, it was difficult to connect to this one. A lot of the characters I would consider protagonists were good people, but weak, or detached from the main plot. Or they were members of the native species, which while very well written, were just alien enough to be challenging to relate to. And the majority of the story is told from the worst character in the entire story.
Even recognizing that the unpleasantness of the narrator was likely a very intentional choice on LeGuin's part, meant to emphasize certain aspects of the story being told, and bring home the motivations at play here, reading the events of this story through that lens was so incredibly repulsive for me that it sullied the entire experience. I mean, he was a terrible person. I simply didn't feel that the pain of being inside those thoughts was worth it, in the end.
I think if this story was told as a flashback, where there was a bigger plot occurring (probably years, or even decades) after these events, I wouldn't have minded it as much. But as a stand-alone, where we see very limited outcomes, it was just a very unpleasant story to read. Difficult and harrowing stories are sometimes worth telling, of course, but this felt very out of place for me among the other Hainish entries, because there was so little hope to latch onto. All in all, this one just wasn't for me.
There were aspects of it that were compelling and interesting. Linguistically, there was a lot going on, especially from the angle of how language and culture and worldview are all inextricably intertwined. The spiritual system was also very unusual, and I liked the way it was woven through the native everyday, and dictated a lot of their engagement with the world around them, and with opposition.
That being said, it was difficult to connect to this one. A lot of the characters I would consider protagonists were good people, but weak, or detached from the main plot. Or they were members of the native species, which while very well written, were just alien enough to be challenging to relate to. And the majority of the story is told from the worst character in the entire story.
Even recognizing that the unpleasantness of the narrator was likely a very intentional choice on LeGuin's part, meant to emphasize certain aspects of the story being told, and bring home the motivations at play here, reading the events of this story through that lens was so incredibly repulsive for me that it sullied the entire experience. I mean, he was a terrible person. I simply didn't feel that the pain of being inside those thoughts was worth it, in the end.
I think if this story was told as a flashback, where there was a bigger plot occurring (probably years, or even decades) after these events, I wouldn't have minded it as much. But as a stand-alone, where we see very limited outcomes, it was just a very unpleasant story to read. Difficult and harrowing stories are sometimes worth telling, of course, but this felt very out of place for me among the other Hainish entries, because there was so little hope to latch onto. All in all, this one just wasn't for me.