Reviews

"The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas" is a narrative that, once read, becomes a permanent tenant in the chambers of your mind. I was a teenager when I first encountered this haunting tale, and it left me hollow, a bit like the characters who walk away from the utopian city of Omelas. Le Guin, with her deft storytelling, invites us to grapple with the discomforting notion that utopia often rests upon the suffering of one.

As a young reader, it felt like a disillusionment grenade had exploded in my hands. It was a stark awakening to the disconcerting reality that our comfort often coexists with someone else's misery. The concept of walking away from Omelas became a metaphor for those moments in life when you start to recognize the inherent complacency surrounding us. It's a sobering realization that, perhaps, "ignorance is bliss" because the truth about our Omelas is too heavy a burden.

This story laid the foundation for my adult life, sparking a lifelong contemplation on the compromises we make for our own happiness. Le Guin's narrative is a mirror reflecting the uncomfortable truths we often choose to overlook, and it's a mirror that stays with you, demanding introspection even as you walk away from the fictional Omelas into the complexities of the real world.

alonelyjanuarynight's review against another edition

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dark emotional sad

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? N/A
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.5

samdalefox's review against another edition

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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:

"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!