| By the time LeGuin wrote this novella, first published in _Again, Dangerous Visions_ in 1972 and awarded the Hugo the following year, she was firmly in control of her themes. Small military and logging colonies have been established by humans on what they call "New Tahiti" in order to send wood back to Earth, 27 light-years distant. Macho Captain Don Davidson runs roughshod over the slave labor employed to build settlements and help with harvesting the dense forests that cover the small amounts of land surrounded by oceans on the planet, which the small green furry creatures native to the planet know as Athshea. A rebellion by the Athsheans, who possess the ability to dream while awake and sing in contest and triumph, and whose towns are run by the women, leads the two species to the brink of all-out war. LeGuin presents a parable of colonial imperialism, with muted echoes of Vietnam and My Lai, and a tribute to the great forests of her beloved Pacific Northwest, in this proto-feminist eco-novella that includes plenty of action. | ||
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Plot & Themes FANTASY or SCIENCE FICTION? - science fiction story Explore/1st contact/ enviro story Yes Explore: Is this an adult or child's book? - Adult or Young Adult Book Cultural problems, alien culture Yes Culture clash- - one culture tries to impose its culture on another group Descript. of chases or violence - 20 % planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives - 30 % Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 20 % Descript. of society, phenomena (tech), places - 30 % Main Character Identity: - Male Profession/status: Main Adversary Identity: - Male Age: - 20's-30's Eccentric: Yes How much of work is main antagonist actually present in: - an above average amount How sensitive is this character? Sense of humor - Cynical sense of humor Intelligence - Average intelligence Setting Terrain A substantial portion of this book takes place on a non-Earth planetary body: - humans in a primitive/fantasy society - primitive aliens - empty, or nearly empty world Planet outside solar system? Yes Writing Style Accounts of torture and death? - moderately detailed references to deaths scientific jargon? (SF only) - some scientific explanation Sex in book? Yes What kind of sex: - vague references only - rape/molest (yeech!) How much dialogue? - significantly more descript than dialog |
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