Sci-fi is not a genre I delve into very often at all, but maybe I need to start switching that up because I adored this book. Or maybe I just need to start reading more books by Ursula K. Le Guin. I think I'll have to do both just to work out which one I really need to do *shrugs*.
The Word for World is Forest is a short novella, and something I could see myself reading over and over again because there was just so much crammed into this little book. It's all about humans' colonisation of the planet Athshe where they enslave the peaceful native population. The Athsheans are treated in a disgusting manner, beaten and raped and generally mistreated.
The Athsheans love their planet and treat it with respect, whilst the humans are cutting down the trees on the planet for logging. They've already destroyed Earth and haven't learnt their lesson. As the book progresses, we understand more and more about the brutality of the colonisers, and how their destruction seeps into the culture of the Athsheans.
This book carried strong notes of militarism in it as well as the negative impact of colonisation on native populations. It is reminiscent of the horror stories that have emerged over the years regarding the European settlers who descended upon the Americas. The novel is told from different perspectives both on the human side and the Athsheans. It is easy to see how the humans have been swept up in their ideals: they genuinely believe that the Athsheans are a lesser breed and that their lives are worth as little as cattle, simply wanting to wipe them out to make way for more humans.
This novella is something that was just incredibly powerful. I think Le Guin has a powerful way with words that encapsulates so many of the wrongs that happen in our world, presenting it in a science fiction format. I loved the vastly different culture of the native Athsheans, who sing and dream and never kill one another. I would definitely recommend, especially if you're a newcomer to the genre like I am!
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