Reviews

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

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sarahjo142's review against another edition

challenging dark tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

Such a dark tale of colonialism, deforestation, humanity, and what it means to dream. I think getting the different perspectives was very eye opening, and sometimes nauseatingly real. Haunting in the best way.

alexikakon's review against another edition

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challenging dark reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

right_kidney's review

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challenging dark reflective tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

Very nuanced and interesting for colonization themed sci fi but the direct depiction makes the portrayal of the native population as magical, exclusively peaceful (prior to humans) people feel a little weird; at times felt like it was dipping its toes slightly into the noble savage trope waters.
That said it does largely avoid the noble savage trope by making the societies and characters complex, especially Selver’s arc.
Also who would have guessed that the person who studied anthropology would portray the anthropologist as the good guy lmao (not complaining)

regolithe's review against another edition

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challenging dark reflective medium-paced

4.5

evehowell's review against another edition

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adventurous hopeful informative inspiring mysterious reflective fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

absolutely incredible book, one that gets ever more relevant with time. tells us so much about humans and how we will lose everything - i wish everybody in the world had read it so they could understand.

i was driven largely in my reading of it by the introduction’s statement that it tells of what happens to a colonised people’s morality in the aftermath of defending themselves, and i saw this message very expertly woven throughout the narrative. politically, this book is a masterpiece - an easy 5/5.

outside of its “real world” implications, the book is also fantastic. the characters are brilliant - davidson’s pure evilness is compelling (although it almost sent me spiralling in rage at times), lyubov both admirable and pitiable, and selver the unlikely antihero - what can you do but root for him?

the most compelling part for me, which will haunt me for weeks to come, was lyubov’s reaction to selver’s warning about the attack on Central. the very small admission that he knew what it meant and didn’t allow himself to act on it, in itself an act of both sacrifice and betrayal, is haunting. selver’s acceptance of lyubov being victim of the attack, but the everlasting impact of accepting this fact, gives perfect and realistic weight to the reality of the situation.

i could talk about this book for hours. it’s true that having read it has changed me as a person, and for that i’m very grateful.

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