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

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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