Reviews tagging 'Sexual violence'

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

27 reviews

stellariasolaris's review against another edition

dark reflective fast-paced

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

4.5

I adore this book when the focus is on the natives and absolutely hate it when it’s told from the yumens’ (humans’) perspective. I understand why Le Guin felt like she needed to include their way of thinking but it’s awful to read through and legitimately triggering at times. 

I really do wish there was another part two of sorts where we just follow the Athsheans around and explore their way of thinking - the dreaming and their relationships to one another. They’re such fascinating ideas, especially their idea of afterlife with their loved ones.

I recommend reading the introduction to the story where she explains her process behind writing it, specifically this feeling of urgency on anti-war and anti-imperialism activism. Unfortunately it’s all still relevant today.

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Content Warnings

Minor: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Xenophobia, and Colonisation

the_other_yvonne's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional reflective sad tense fast-paced

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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Slavery, Violence, Xenophobia, and War

Moderate: Drug use, Rape, and Sexual violence

oakfolk's review against another edition

adventurous emotional reflective tense fast-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism, Slavery, and War

Minor: Sexual violence

mrh29992's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional informative reflective tense slow-paced

4.75

I mean, it's Ursula K. LeGuin. How could it not be 5 stars?

This short but powerful novella feels all the more prescient reading it now, with the backdrop of colonial genocides and an increasing number of climate change-related disasters wreaking havoc. In 1972 Le Guin let her pacifist and anti-colonial philosophy really shine in this story of the planet Athshe, its inhabitants and the human colonizers.

LeGuin's interest in language and linguistics also really comes to the forefront as she explores what it means to understand a culture and a specific language, even if you can technically understand each other. I was particularly moved by the paragraph on translation.

The chapters alternate between colonizers- chapters heavy with technical and military terminology that feels impenetrable and dense with jargon. - It is only Lyubov, the 'yumen' with the most gentle curiosity and genuine care for the Athsheans, who gets to truly acknowledge and understand their fascinating culture. 

Not just the linguistic interest, but also the idea of the dream time, and the importance of dreams in Athshean culture, that add to the complex and brilliant world Le Guin was able to conjure and flesh out.

This is a short, fascinating read by a master of her craft, and one that feels deeply relevant today.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Slavery and Colonisation

Moderate: Sexual violence

elliotyork's review against another edition

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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism, Sexism, and Xenophobia

Moderate: Rape and Sexual violence

abissette's review against another edition

challenging mysterious sad fast-paced

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

5.0

Fascinating, philosophical, enriching sci fi

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Confinement, Death, Drug use, Genocide, Racial slurs, Rape, Sexual violence, Slavery, Violence, Xenophobia, Grief, Fire/Fire injury, and Colonisation

morenowagain's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark informative fast-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

4.0

A very appropriate read for what's going on in the world right now. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Drug use, Genocide, Gore, Gun violence, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Violence, Xenophobia, Murder, Colonisation, and War

itsnotsarah's review against another edition

challenging dark reflective sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Genocide, Gun violence, Racism, Slavery, Xenophobia, Colonisation, and War

Moderate: Misogyny and Sexism

Minor: Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence

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.

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Content Warnings

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

ashleyend's review against another edition

adventurous challenging reflective 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? Yes

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Genocide, Gun violence, Slavery, Violence, Fire/Fire injury, Colonisation, and War

Moderate: Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual violence, and Xenophobia