The Telling facts for kids

The Telling is a science fiction book written by Ursula K. Le Guin in 2000. It's part of her famous Hainish Cycle series, which explores different planets and cultures. The story follows a character named Sutty, who comes from Earth. She travels to a planet called Aka as an "Ekumen observer." Her job is to watch and learn about the people and their way of life.

About The Telling

The Telling takes readers on a journey to a distant planet. It explores how people hold onto their history and beliefs. The book makes you think about what happens when old traditions clash with new rules.

What is The Telling About?

The main character, Sutty, arrives on Aka. She finds a world where the government has banned many old customs and stories. These traditions were once called "The Telling." The government wants everyone to follow a new, strict way of life.

Sutty discovers that some people still secretly practice The Telling. They try to keep their history and wisdom alive. She learns about their struggles and the importance of remembering the past. The book shows how powerful stories and traditions can be.

Who is Ursula K. Le Guin?

Ursula K. Le Guin was a very famous American writer. She wrote many science fiction and fantasy books. She was known for creating detailed worlds and characters. Her stories often explored big ideas like freedom, society, and how people connect. She won many awards for her writing.

Exploring the Hainish Cycle

The Telling is part of a larger series called the Hainish Cycle. These books are not always in order, but they share a common universe. They feature a group of planets connected by an organization called the Ekumen. The Ekumen tries to understand different cultures across the galaxy. Each book in the cycle tells a unique story about a different planet or group of people.

Main Ideas in The Telling

The book makes readers think about several important ideas. It shows how important it is for people to remember their history. It also explores what happens when a government tries to control what people believe.

Why is History Important?

In The Telling, the old stories and traditions are almost lost. This makes people forget where they came from. The book suggests that knowing your history helps you understand who you are. It also helps you learn from the past.

Freedom to Think

The government on Aka tries to make everyone think the same way. But the people who practice The Telling show that it's important to have the freedom to think for yourself. They believe in sharing ideas and different ways of seeing the world. This idea is very important in the book.

Awards and Recognition

The Telling was a very successful book. It won the Locus Award for Best Science Fiction Novel in 2001. This award is given to excellent science fiction books each year.