The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! 😌
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.Â
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: Injury/Injury detail, Abandonment, Child abuse, Confinement, Emotional abuse, and Violence
minou_noir's review against another edition
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
I have no words to describe what I'm feeling right now.
This short story is almost 30 pages but the impact it has will haunt you for more than the next 30 years of your life. It's a question posed as a story, where the writer Ursula asks us this: would we let a small innocent child live a lonely and tormented life, if the happiness and prosperity of thousands of people depended on the way he is treated? Does inflicting harm on an innocent life become justified if more than one person gains something from it?Â
I would highly recommend reading the book yourself because there's no way I can do justice to the way it makes you feel, using a simple review.
I am left thinking if we are living in Omelas, and are voluntarily ignorant of the child in the closet; or if we are the ones who walked away from Omelas, and are living a sad life but feel superior to the ones who stayed because we do not have that guilt on our shoulders.
It might be easy to say that we wouldn't do that to someone at all. We would side with justice and show compassion; but really, looking around us that feeling fades until it is merely left as a question.
This short story is almost 30 pages but the impact it has will haunt you for more than the next 30 years of your life. It's a question posed as a story, where the writer Ursula asks us this: would we let a small innocent child live a lonely and tormented life, if the happiness and prosperity of thousands of people depended on the way he is treated? Does inflicting harm on an innocent life become justified if more than one person gains something from it?Â
I would highly recommend reading the book yourself because there's no way I can do justice to the way it makes you feel, using a simple review.
I am left thinking if we are living in Omelas, and are voluntarily ignorant of the child in the closet; or if we are the ones who walked away from Omelas, and are living a sad life but feel superior to the ones who stayed because we do not have that guilt on our shoulders.
It might be easy to say that we wouldn't do that to someone at all. We would side with justice and show compassion; but really, looking around us that feeling fades until it is merely left as a question.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Confinement
Minor: Sexual content
artemisg's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
tense
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
Ursula keeps knocking it out of the park. This was so simple, yet so powerful. I love accessible and consumable philosophical writing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, and Confinement
Moderate: Child death
rory_john14's review against another edition
dark
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
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Emotional abuse, Child abuse, and Ableism
Moderate: Sexual content and Drug use
Minor: Excrement and Physical abuse
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: Abandonment and Child abuse
Minor: Drug use, Physical abuse, Alcohol, and Alcoholism
sadiaa's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
4.5
Only 9 pages but it does so much!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Confinement
noxygens's review against another edition
inspiring
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Confinement
Moderate: Torture
kendrakeuler's review against another edition
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
It was incredible such an interesting concept. When I started reading it I didn't know what I was getting into but this was truely gut wrench and I'm still unsure what I would do. You think it would be an easy decision but in reality we live in our own version Omelas our success always comes from comes down fall because at the end of the day if everyone is a winner no one can truely be a winner. I also think a lot of their joy sentence from the fact that they're grateful for what they do have because they see where they could be. Just like when we are able to recognize and get joy out of being grateful when realize what we have at others don't. To Some this up this is story poses an incredible philosophical question and makes you question whether at the end of the day group happiness out way one persons happiness.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Child abuse, Confinement, Abandonment, and Excrement
voilajean's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Confinement
americattt's review against another edition
dark
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
4.5
"The trouble is that we have a bad habit, encouraged by oedants and sophisticates, of considering happiness as something rather stupid. Only pain is intellectual, only evil interesting. This is the treason of the artist: a refusal to admit the banality of evil and the terrible boredom of pain."
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement and Child abuse
Moderate: Excrement