Unashamedly anti-colonial and anti-war, The Word for World is Forest is a fine novella written as a clear reaction to Vietnam, and while it's not among Le Guin's best or most well-written works, it's certainly worth a read over a few afternoons.

Le Guin is known for her sparse, effective prose, and while it's definitely on display here, the writing definitely feels a little flatter than in the Earthsea Cycle. It's definitely an easier read. While some of the characters are great and full of depth, some of them (notably Davidson) are so stereotypical and flat that it felt a little lazy. I was a little taken aback by the simplicity on display, but it didn't take away from my enjoyment of the story.

The plot is simple and thoughtful, full of the little meditations and reflections that permeate all of Le Guin's work, and is great for people that don't normally read science fiction. A classic, perhaps more culturally relevant in the time it was written, but there are clear parallels that can be drawn to today's world, 50 years later.