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A review by sweekune
The Word for World Is Forest by Ursula K. Le Guin
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
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
4.0
Audiobook narrated by Kevin Pariseau.
This short but profound story gives raw and visceral insight into the harms of colonialism and the effects on both native and coloniser. Le Guin crafts the narrative with amazing skill. I really felt for the Athsheans and their plight and I absolutely hated Davidson!
The good:
- Intense and reflective plot which encourages parallels with our own history and the atrocities committed. For much of this book you could switch out the Athsheans and Terrains with indigenous people and European invaders.
- The Athsheans culture was unique and different to any I've read before. I would have loved to explore it further.
- Davidson was the most hateable character I've read in a long time. He is egotistical, racist, sexist, manipulative, narcissistic. There is not a redeeming feature for this character and his role in the narrative needed him to be just so.
What could have been better?:
- The characters felt a little shallow. Of the three characters whose points of view the reader is shown, Selver the Athshean was flat and not built up to the height told in the narrative, Lyubov was insightful but his sections were brief and Davidson was an epitome of a hateable nemesis.
- The short length meant that some of the interesting aspects of Athshean culture were not explored more fully. I would happily read a book just detailing their species and culture.
- The audiobook version I listened to had annoying music at the beginning and end which added nothing to the performance.
There is a lot to think about and apply from this book. If anyone is looking for reading material about colonialism, despite being sci-fi, this would be a good recommendation. I plan to read this book again with my children once they are older as I think there are some poignant themes and lessons to learn here.
This short but profound story gives raw and visceral insight into the harms of colonialism and the effects on both native and coloniser. Le Guin crafts the narrative with amazing skill. I really felt for the Athsheans and their plight and I absolutely hated Davidson!
The good:
- Intense and reflective plot which encourages parallels with our own history and the atrocities committed. For much of this book you could switch out the Athsheans and Terrains with indigenous people and European invaders.
- The Athsheans culture was unique and different to any I've read before. I would have loved to explore it further.
- Davidson was the most hateable character I've read in a long time. He is egotistical, racist, sexist, manipulative, narcissistic. There is not a redeeming feature for this character and his role in the narrative needed him to be just so.
What could have been better?:
- The characters felt a little shallow. Of the three characters whose points of view the reader is shown, Selver the Athshean was flat and not built up to the height told in the narrative, Lyubov was insightful but his sections were brief and Davidson was an epitome of a hateable nemesis.
- The short length meant that some of the interesting aspects of Athshean culture were not explored more fully. I would happily read a book just detailing their species and culture.
- The audiobook version I listened to had annoying music at the beginning and end which added nothing to the performance.
There is a lot to think about and apply from this book. If anyone is looking for reading material about colonialism, despite being sci-fi, this would be a good recommendation. I plan to read this book again with my children once they are older as I think there are some poignant themes and lessons to learn here.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Slavery, Xenophobia, Sexism, Racism, Blood, and Death
Minor: Rape and Drug use