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Book Review
Apr. 15th, 2025 09:06 pmThe Telling
by Ursula K. Le Guin
In this contemplative sci-fi novel, Observer Sutty goes to the planet Aka, where they have speed-run technological advancement, suppressing the old ways, histories, and literature in the process. She is granted permission to visit a rural village, where she finds that the villagers are surreptitiously continuing the old spiritual and cultural practices known as the Telling. Sutty starts learning about these ways, and taking part in them. Eventually, she joins some of the villagers in a pilgrimage to a mountain sanctuary and temple, where she finally begins to fully understand the Telling.
This was such a quietly wonderful book. Le Guin explores how and why repressive regimes suppress and destroy cultures and religions, and how they are often kept alive in spite of purges and punishments. She also illustrates the importance of storytelling to a people's understanding of themselves, their world, and bonds between everyone and everything. It was all incredibly resonant and relevant for the present moment.
by Ursula K. Le Guin
In this contemplative sci-fi novel, Observer Sutty goes to the planet Aka, where they have speed-run technological advancement, suppressing the old ways, histories, and literature in the process. She is granted permission to visit a rural village, where she finds that the villagers are surreptitiously continuing the old spiritual and cultural practices known as the Telling. Sutty starts learning about these ways, and taking part in them. Eventually, she joins some of the villagers in a pilgrimage to a mountain sanctuary and temple, where she finally begins to fully understand the Telling.
This was such a quietly wonderful book. Le Guin explores how and why repressive regimes suppress and destroy cultures and religions, and how they are often kept alive in spite of purges and punishments. She also illustrates the importance of storytelling to a people's understanding of themselves, their world, and bonds between everyone and everything. It was all incredibly resonant and relevant for the present moment.
