Book Review
Jan. 26th, 2025 08:07 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
kenjariThe Word for World Is Forest
by Ursula K. Le Guin
This short sci-fi noel packs a real, all too relevant punch. It is set on a forest-covered planet inhabited by the Asthsheans, peaceful humanoids the size of six-year olds and covered in green fur. The Earth men who are building a colony on the planet are cutting down trees and have essentially enslaved some of the Asthsheans, believing them to be inferior. Pushed to the breaking point by human brutality, Asthshean Selver initiates a violent rebellion against the Earth men.
The Word for World Is Forest is a very effective novel, covering a lot of ground in just over a hundred pages. Le Guin explores the evils of colonization, bigotry, xenphobia, environmental devastation, and the limits of both pacifism and violence in resisting oppression. It's fairly hard-hitting and does not provide easy answers or resolutions. As such, it is all too relevant and resonant for the 21st century.
by Ursula K. Le Guin
This short sci-fi noel packs a real, all too relevant punch. It is set on a forest-covered planet inhabited by the Asthsheans, peaceful humanoids the size of six-year olds and covered in green fur. The Earth men who are building a colony on the planet are cutting down trees and have essentially enslaved some of the Asthsheans, believing them to be inferior. Pushed to the breaking point by human brutality, Asthshean Selver initiates a violent rebellion against the Earth men.
The Word for World Is Forest is a very effective novel, covering a lot of ground in just over a hundred pages. Le Guin explores the evils of colonization, bigotry, xenphobia, environmental devastation, and the limits of both pacifism and violence in resisting oppression. It's fairly hard-hitting and does not provide easy answers or resolutions. As such, it is all too relevant and resonant for the 21st century.
