StoryGraph Saturday is a weekly thing where I randomly choose a book from my To Read pile on StoryGraph and show it off to both remind myself that it’s there and to show it to you in case you might find it interesting, too.
The Word for World Is Forest (Hainish Cycle #5)
by Ursula K. Le Guin
Science Fiction
189 pages
StoryGraph Saturday:
The award-winning masterpiece by one of today’s most honored writers, Ursula K. Le Guin
The Word for World is Forest
When the inhabitants of a peaceful world are conquered by the bloodthirsty yumens, their existence is irrevocably altered. Forced into servitude, the Athsheans find themselves at the mercy of their brutal masters.
Desperation causes the Athsheans, led by Selver, to retaliate against their captors, abandoning their strictures against violence. But in defending their lives, they have endangered the very foundations of their society. For every blow against the invaders is a blow to the humanity of the Athsheans. And once the killing starts, there is no turning back.
I started reading the Hainish cycle a few years ago, but I didn’t make it very far before I just sort of stopped. But The Word for World is Forest is one of Le Guin’s most highly regarded works after books like The Dispossessed or The Left Hand of Darkness, so I feel like I should get to it sooner rather than later.
Traveling in Books 
Yes, me too. I’d very much like to try most, if not all, of Le Guin’s books, and I’ve slowly been collecting them. I’ve read so few of them, though. The only one of the Hainish cycle I believe I’ve read is The Left Hand of Darkness. It was a long while back but I remember very much enjoying it at the time. I think I missed an opportunity to pick up a paper copy of this one at a book fair I frequent. Maybe next time. 🙂
I have the beautiful bind-up edition of the Earthsea books (with illustrations by Chris Riddell). I read the first three back in high school or so, but I need to reread them and The Left Hand of Darkness. And I need to read The Dispossessed and The Late of Heaven. Le Guin’s writing is amazing, and I just need to read more of her work.
I like the sound of your Earthsea edition. Mine are very old paperback copies, well worn and well loved. I’ve read them a few times and will likely reread again, just love those stories. I picked up the audiobooks because they were narrated by Rob Inglis and I loved how he read The Lord of the Rings. I’ve yet to listen to them, though. Next reread. 🙂 The Lathe of Heaven is another I’ve read and really enjoyed, but I’ve yet to read The Dispossessed. It’s possible that would be the next unread book by her I pick up.
I had a coupon, and Barnes and Noble had a sale on the illustrated bindup, so I couldn’t resist. It’s a beautiful book, and I intend to reread and then finish the series this year.