A review by samdalefox
The New Atlantis by Ursula K. Le Guin
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Short stories fall into three categories for me. 1) Self contained, 2) a satisfying/interesting snippet suggesting at a wider world/story, and 3) a snippet that suggests at a wider world/story and could realistically be expanded into a full novella or novel.
The New Atlantis falls into category 3 for me. This easily could have been a full length fantasy-eque climate-change dystopian novel, and I would have loved it. However, I think the way this is crafted as a short story works beautifully and has no need to be developed into a longer piece. The snippets of information we get builds a picture of the totalitarian (potentially eco-facist?) society that has emerged from the climate crisis. I really enjoyed the switching of narratives between Belle and the underwater creatures; a new civilisation emerging from the old - one in which humans live in harmony with their fellow creatures and the natural environment.
The New Atlantis falls into category 3 for me. This easily could have been a full length fantasy-eque climate-change dystopian novel, and I would have loved it. However, I think the way this is crafted as a short story works beautifully and has no need to be developed into a longer piece. The snippets of information we get builds a picture of the totalitarian (potentially eco-facist?) society that has emerged from the climate crisis. I really enjoyed the switching of narratives between Belle and the underwater creatures; a new civilisation emerging from the old - one in which humans live in harmony with their fellow creatures and the natural environment.
The persecuted scientists (Simon et al.) and Belle, despite their obvious dejection and misery are intent on preserving the dream of a better world rather than the exploitative and unsustainable one of late capitalism. Le Guin's story is a reminder of the human capacity to keep dreaming of better worlds no matter how grim the actual situation. "It is easier to imagine the end of the world than the end of capitalism". We must have strength, courage, and solidarity to imagine and build that better world.