240320 r/bangtan Books with Luv: March Book Club Discussion & Giveaway – ‘The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas’ by Ursula K. Le Guin

Hello book-luvers of r/bangtan!

It’s officially spring, *[cherry blossoms seem to be blooming, this winter is coming to an end](https://weverse.io/bts/media/3-104695798?begin=390)*, and it’s book discussion day! I know “Fri(end)s” has been stuck *in my head* but hopefully it hasn’t gotten you too *deep in your feelings* to join us for this discussion! [Let’s go](https://giphy.com/gifs/btsofficial-bts-bangtan-spring-day-U8RdDc7qteHnLjbkoF)!

# **’The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas’ by Ursula K. Le Guin**

**Synopsis & BTS Connection:** This short work of philosophical fiction by American writer Ursula K. Le Guin was included in the author’s anthology book “The Wind’s Twelve Quarters”. With deliberately both vague and vivid descriptions, the narrator depicts a summer festival in the utopian city of Omelas, whose prosperity depends on the perpetual misery of a single child. First published in ‘New Dimensions 3’ (1973), a hard-cover science fiction anthology edited by Robert Silverberg, in October 1973, it won the prestigious Hugo Award for best short story the following year. The book is referenced, thematically and representatively in the hotel’s name, in the music video for [Spring Day](https://youtu.be/xEeFrLSkMm8).

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# [I wonder…](https://i.imgur.com/IRLM6ep.gif)

*Below is a discussion guide. Some book-specific questions and other sharing suggestions!*

* The narrator switches between use of ‘I/our’ and ‘they’ when recounting the story. Who do you think they are, and what is their relation to the city, the citizens?
* Why do you think the narrator seems to doubt that the reader believes in and accepts the description of “the festival, the city, the joy”?
* Did you happen to read the response by NK Jemisin’s [‘The Ones Who Stay and Fight’](https://www.lightspeedmagazine.com/fiction/the-ones-who-stay-and-fight/)? What did you think of the two cities? Were you satisfied with the response? Why or why not?
* Why do you think BTS chose to reference this story in their ‘Spring Day’ MV? What about the story fits in with the narrative of the MV?
* In your life, have you ever made a decision to walk away from your own “Omelas” (whatever that may be)? What happened when you walked away?
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# Books with Luv Giveaway

*I really wanna, wanna, wanna*…. Giveaway some stuff, some stuff, some stuff

For the month of March we are doing a goodie box [giveaway](https://i.imgur.com/v8wJUhb.jpeg)
that is open worldwide. If you would like a chance to win we are asking you to answer the questions below in the discussion thread. We will put the names of the users who participate into a randomizer and the two winners will receive the package from /u/lisafancypants, with whom winners must be willing to share their name and address. We will leave the giveaway open until April 1st.

* In the story, the narrator describes the children of Omelas in a variety of ways. How does that contrast with the description of ‘the child’ and what struck you most about the contrast?
* The narrator suggests multiple things to make the city and its inhabitants more credible to the reader. What would you have added to the Festival of Summer’s ceremonies to not see it as a fairy tale?
* Who are the people who walk away and is it a brave act or something else? Who are the people who stay, and what do you think of them?

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# B-Side Questions/Discussion Suggestions

* **Fan Chant**: Hype/overall reviews
* **Ments**: Favorite quotes
* **ARMY Time**: playlist/recommendations of songs you associate with the book/chapters/characters
* **Do The Wave**: sentiments, feels, realizations based on the book
* **Encore/Post Club-read Depression Prevention**: something the book club can do afterwards (on your own leisure time) to help feel less sad after reading.

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# Stay Here A Little Longer?

We’ve really enjoyed reading and chatting with you over these last 7 months and we’d love to keep it going! While we *wait a little bit* longer for our members to [come home](https://imgur.com/a/JdLHuU7.jpg), we hope you’ll stay and join us for our next book.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding the book or the thread, feel free to tag me or any of the mods or BWL Volunteers.

with luv,

* u/EveryCliche
* u/mucho_thankyou5802
* u/munisme
* /u/Next_Grapefruit_3206

…and the r/bangtan Mod Team

by mucho_thankyou5802