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felicitasviviancoco's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I read the shortstory without any additional interpretation or information about it. Afterwards I watched a video of the yt-creator Books 'n' Cats which really opened up even more interpretations.
my first thoughts about the meaning came in the paragraph talking about the child not even being able to enjoy a good life if it were freed which reminded me of the arguments used when talking about developing countries sometimes (by people I don't like). This idea that someone is beyond saving and therefore their suffering is acceptable always bothered me.
I came to realise that I truly love books which encourage reflecting my moral values and stances (like this short story or Frankenstein for example)
I came to realise that I truly love books which encourage reflecting my moral values and stances (like this short story or Frankenstein for example)
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Confinement, Violence, Excrement, and Abandonment
hapikohw's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
A simple five pages can be so rich, have so many intertexual companions, spark so many thoughts... Le Guin, you are THAT writer!
Utopia is possible, pleasure can exist without pain giving it worth - we just can't imagine it yet.
Utopia is possible, pleasure can exist without pain giving it worth - we just can't imagine it yet.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Confinement, Torture, and Abandonment
lethargicbat's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Confinement, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Excrement, Kidnapping, and Abandonment
Minor: Sexual content and Alcohol
aylas_journey's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
5.0
This story is going to stick with me/haunt me forever.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse and Abandonment
emfass's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
An absolute emotional wallop of a short story. What does utopia/a good life cost, and are we willing to pay that cost? What do we do, who are we, when we've been shown the dark underbelly of our world?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Torture, Forced institutionalization, and Abandonment
Minor: Sexual content and Excrement
torismazarine's review against another edition
dark
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Confinement, and Abandonment
Minor: Drug use
abookwormspov's review against another edition
dark
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Confinement, Forced institutionalization, and Abandonment
samdalefox's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Absolutely stunning short story. I wasn't sure what all the fuss was about until Le Guin introduced the endlessly suffering child . After that I was fully onboard. Her commentary on human nature is true and devastating. The suffering child represents any number of real-world examples of the ways people compromise their morals in the name of convenience, comfort, and expediency. This short story ultimately asks us what is the price of utopia? What are the ethics of sacrifice? (As justified by utilitarianism). Are any of us free when one person remains unfree?
At first I thought those that walk away from Omelas would choose to take the place of the suffering child , join it, help it, or at the very least openly question the necessity. But no, they walk away. They wash their hands of the moral problem. This is a horrifying reflection of our society today. I wish this story was read by all.
My favourite quotes and another member's review below:
At first I thought those that walk away from Omelas would choose to take the place of
My favourite quotes and another member's review below:
"The trouble is that we have a bad habit, encouraged by pedants and sophisticates, of considering happiness as something rather stupid. This is the treason of the artist: a refusal to admit the banality of evil and the terrible boredom of pain. "
"Happiness is based on a just discrimination of what is necessary, what is neither necessary nor destructive, and what is destructive."
"Their tears at the bitter injustice dry when they begin to perceive the terrible justice of reality, and to accept it. Yet it is their tears and anger, the trying of their generosity and the acceptance of their helplessness, which are perhaps the true source of the splendor of their lives. Theirs is no vapid, irresponsible happiness. They know that they, like the child, are not free."
bitchbane's review
4 ★’s — fantastic short story on morality and the value of human life.
the ones who walk away from omelas presents a unique examination of morality, the value of human life, and the cost of civilization. posing a sort of societal 'trolley problem,' le guin forces readers to consider where they draw the line between acceptable loss and unjustifiable abuse. how do you define right and wrong? what is the real cost of "civilized" society? would you shut up and let a child be neglected and abused to maintain a perfect utopia for everyone else?
this story was much different than what i thought going into it. i expected something heavy on emotional contemplation and what it means to be human, perhaps from the perspective of someone who is trying to decide if they're going to walk away or stay. instead it was more of a parable talking about a broader issue.
interestingly, none of the people who are 'the ones who walk away from omelas' rescued the child. they decided to leave the utopia rather than staying or rescuing the child. this, to me, isn't worthy of dignified praise, they've just made it 'not their problem' anymore.
i thought le guin's approach and conversation about this topic was interesting and new. it's a new take on the trolley problem, discussing ethical dilemmas, and contemplating what humanity is worth. fantastic short story!
Content Warnings
Minor: Child abuse, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Violence, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
kedepokan's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement and Torture
Moderate: Child abuse and Abandonment
Minor: Alcoholism, Drug use, Physical abuse, and Alcohol
emliza's review against another edition
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse
Minor: Excrement and Abandonment