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itsnicholaslashay's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Slavery, Violence, and Colonisation
Moderate: Rape
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.
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.
Content Warnings
Minor: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Xenophobia, and Colonisation
sheyri's review against another edition
challenging
inspiring
reflective
medium-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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Xenophobia, and Colonisation
Moderate: Misogyny, Rape, and Slavery
Minor: Drug use
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
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Slavery, and War
Minor: Sexual violence
mareliweb1's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Good book about colonization and slavery. Book was written in a very matter of fact way that made it hard to care deeply about the characters. Almost read like a history book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Slavery, Murder, and War
Moderate: Rape
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.
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Slavery and Colonisation
Moderate: Sexual violence
gracethebibliofeline's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-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? Yes
5.0
You should absolutely read this! It was a beautiful novel, with such evocative imagery and a poignant story. The introduction of violence to a peaceful culture through colonialism is an unfortunately pertinent topic. A truly heartbreaking story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Colonisation
Moderate: Genocide, Gun violence, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Slavery, Violence, and Xenophobia
Minor: Addiction and Drug abuse
imsaneipromise's review against another edition
dark
informative
reflective
sad
- 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? Yes
4.0
le guin's world building is unmatched. to so vividly conjure an entire world in so few pages, with history, context, enough description to be able to visualise scenery while still moving the plot forward, and without leaving the reader confused or with questions takes a lot of skill and artistry.
this book is a harrowing tale exposing how resistance against oppression can fundamentally change who you are, for better, for worse, or a complex combination of both.
this book is a harrowing tale exposing how resistance against oppression can fundamentally change who you are, for better, for worse, or a complex combination of both.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Slavery, Violence, Fire/Fire injury, Colonisation, and War
Moderate: Rape
nyxlikesbook's review against another edition
dark
reflective
sad
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Sexism, Slavery, Colonisation, and War
Moderate: Torture
Minor: Rape