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The Word for World Is Forest
by Ursula K. Le Guin
True horror is seeing the cruelest mistakes humanity has made—environmental destruction, enslavement, and colonization—replicated in a distant future. So, if you are looking for a well-written novella on the horror and cyclical trauma of space colonization, then I have to recommend Ursula K. Le Guin’s [b:The Word for World is Forest|276767|The Word for World is Forest (Hainish Cycle, #5)|Ursula K. Le Guin|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1283091038l/276767._SY75_.jpg|3256815].
Another entry to the Hainish Cycle, this story takes place on the planet Athshe, which is covered in forests and denoted by its non-violent native inhabitants. The Terrans (aka: humans) arrive and colonize the planet, exploiting the forest for its resources and enslaving the peaceful population to do their bidding. With exploitation comes a number of horrors. One of the POV characters, Captain Davidson, a Terran commander who oversees and participates in the horrors of colonization, concludes of the native people:
“Despite the physical differences, they recognize us as members of their species, as men. However, we have not responded as members of their species, as men. We have ignored the responses, the rights and obligations of non-violence. We have killed, raped, dispersed, and enslaved the native humans, destroyed their communities, and cut down their forests. It wouldn’t be surprising if they’d decided we are not human.” (75)
We then shift to the POV of Selver, an Athshean who has endured violence by Captain Davidson himself. Davidson’s dehumanization of the natives like Selver is ultimately the psychological mechanism that perpetuates tremendous violence, and events do reach a tragic breaking point. We see as Selver and the Athsheans must embrace violence to fend off their aggressors and save themselves.
Where I do have some criticism, is in how the Athshean’s abhor violence even in cases of clear self-defense. There are good arguments made on the destructive and chaotic nature of war to any people, and I think that there are meaningful meditations made by the Athsheans on the negative effects the Terran’s have had not just with physical violence, but the impact they have had on Athshean culture. But where I do disagree is that I cannot see self-defense as "madness." Violence without cause is certainly madness, but the context matters tremendously.
Overall, this was a solid book that continues to expand the Hainish Cycle in an interesting and thought-provoking way. I look forward to reading more from Ursula K. Le Guin; her literary talent for captivation and imagination seldom fails.
Rating: 3.5 stars
Another entry to the Hainish Cycle, this story takes place on the planet Athshe, which is covered in forests and denoted by its non-violent native inhabitants. The Terrans (aka: humans) arrive and colonize the planet, exploiting the forest for its resources and enslaving the peaceful population to do their bidding. With exploitation comes a number of horrors. One of the POV characters, Captain Davidson, a Terran commander who oversees and participates in the horrors of colonization, concludes of the native people:
“Despite the physical differences, they recognize us as members of their species, as men. However, we have not responded as members of their species, as men. We have ignored the responses, the rights and obligations of non-violence. We have killed, raped, dispersed, and enslaved the native humans, destroyed their communities, and cut down their forests. It wouldn’t be surprising if they’d decided we are not human.” (75)
We then shift to the POV of Selver, an Athshean who has endured violence by Captain Davidson himself. Davidson’s dehumanization of the natives like Selver is ultimately the psychological mechanism that perpetuates tremendous violence, and events do reach a tragic breaking point. We see as Selver and the Athsheans must embrace violence to fend off their aggressors and save themselves.
Where I do have some criticism, is in how the Athshean’s abhor violence even in cases of clear self-defense. There are good arguments made on the destructive and chaotic nature of war to any people, and I think that there are meaningful meditations made by the Athsheans on the negative effects the Terran’s have had not just with physical violence, but the impact they have had on Athshean culture. But where I do disagree is that I cannot see self-defense as "madness." Violence without cause is certainly madness, but the context matters tremendously.
Overall, this was a solid book that continues to expand the Hainish Cycle in an interesting and thought-provoking way. I look forward to reading more from Ursula K. Le Guin; her literary talent for captivation and imagination seldom fails.
Rating: 3.5 stars