Winner of the 1973 Hugo award for Best Novella, and nominated for many others, The Word for World is Forest is part of Le Guin's 'Hainish Cycle'. It explores a future history of Earth and pacifistic ideals in its depictions of violence, colonialism and resistance.

'A simple story that, like most things Le Guin wrote, packs a powerful emotional and critical punch'- Tordotcom 'Deeply moving and shocking by turns'- Suzanne Reid 'Le Guin writes in quiet, straightforward sentences about people who feel they are being torn apart by massive forces in society... and who fight courageously to remain whole' - The New York Times Book Review