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trailmixraisins's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This Ursula K. Le Guin classic is a short and bittersweet parable-like story. She uses vivid and explicit depictions of colonialism in the setting of an alien planet years in the future where humans have developed the technology to travel through space. Selver, an Athshean man, and his society are irrevocably changed after humans settle the planet to harvest wood to be sold on Earth. Though ultimately hopeful, the toll of human violence and hatred on the non-violent society puts its continued existence in jeopardy.
Graphic: Death, Genocide, Slavery, Violence, Xenophobia, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Sexual harassment, Colonisation, and War
Moderate: Confinement, Drug use, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Blood, Grief, and Alcohol
Minor: Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Racism, Sexism, and Injury/Injury detail
ka_cam's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A heart wrenching and thought provoking read. I was impressed how she introduced complex characters, relationships, and ideologies in a short time. Deeply flawed characters navigate themes of violence, humanity/inhumanity, colonization, reality, subconscious, gender, cultural difference, self defense and more. Ultimately tragic.
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Hate crime, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Murder, Colonisation, War, and Injury/Injury detail
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