A review by goblinhearted
The Word for World is Forest by Ursula K. Le Guin

4.0

 

“Some people are quick to see cruelty and injustice but I was slow. I had to put the pieces together myself and it took a long time. It's kinda hard to admit that your people did something awful. The way I usually handle it is to put it into a novel.” ~ Ursula K. Le Guin

In this novella, humans have destroyed their planet’s natural world and, in their desperation, decide to colonize another world to harvest natural resources.

This story serves as an allegory for American imperialism and the Vietnam War, which was ongoing at the time of writing. The antagonist, Captain Davidson, embodies the worst aspects of imperialism, colonialism, and toxic masculinity.

I found this book deeply resonant. It’s rare to find fiction that so thoroughly critiques and highlights the destructive nature of imperialism and colonialism. Some have criticized the novella for its stark depiction of good and evil, or for its messaging being too preachy (which it sort of is, at least by Le Guin's nuanced storytelling reputation). However, my thoughts are this: when it comes to the subjugation of an indigenous population for free labor and entertainment, the moral and ethical lines are indeed black and white.