Arturo Pérez-Reverte always remarks that all authors have a backpack full of experiences and readings that shape their own work.

Well, Ursula K Le Guin is present in each and every one of the backpacks of Fantasy writers of the last half-century.

"A Wizard of Earthsea" was written in 1968 and, if we first focus on what it simply tells us, we see that it is a short story, just 160 pages long, where it sketches the life of the wizard Ged from when he discovers he has powers as a child, his passage through a School of Magic, and his adventures across Earthsea fighting against Evil. As a story, it has a very good beginning but then it gets quite tangled up in Ged's travels through the islands and the second half becomes a bit of a struggle.

However, if we now look at what the story means, we see numerous commonplaces of Fantasy in the last few decades: the fight against Evil, the importance of names in magic, mentors who help the protagonist with his powers and even a School of Magic.

I believe that Rothfuss, Rowling and dozens of other authors owe a great deal to Le Guin (mind you, Le Guin's backpack would already be full as well with other authors such as Tolkien or Lewis for example) and any lover of Fantasy should read this story of the fight of Good against Evil.

How come Harry Potter is the publishing sensation of the century? It seems rather astonishing when you consider that it was initially just a moderately popular cult novel. Life indeed appears unfair at times. We often wonder why some works achieve such remarkable success while others remain relatively unknown. However, I suppose that in a few hundred years, it will all have sorted itself out. Time has a way of revealing the true worth and significance of things.

The ending of the Harry Potter series is truly one of the best I know in any book. It ties up all the loose ends, provides a sense of closure, and yet leaves room for the imagination. It is a masterful conclusion that has left a lasting impression on readers around the world. The story of Harry Potter has become a cultural phenomenon, and its impact will be felt for generations to come.

Here's an odd bit of trivia. This month, I had just finished reading Beagle's Last Unicorn, and it is still very vivid in my mind. I concurred with everyone that it was a true classic, filled with so many elements to cherish within its pages.

However, right after delving into A Wizard of Earthsea, I must admit that I think it is better. Not just marginally better, but significantly more enjoyable, captivating, and thrilling!

It's not by a huge margin, mind you, but enough that I can easily assert that this Le Guin's classic is superior. :) I hope this comes across as high praise, because that's precisely the intention.

I am enamored with everything about it. It's all about magic and equilibrium. The magic is truly impressive, and the world of islands is simply gorgeous. But most importantly, it's Sparrowhawk that I adore. This young lad has endured a great deal in his short life, and almost all of the turmoil and shadow is of his own doing. Poor decisions that ultimately lead to wisdom, and all the while, the magic ebbs and flows.

Do you desire a dragon fight? Raising the dead? Awesome shadows beneath the waters? Great discoveries? It's all here.

Maybe people simply have a greater penchant for unicorns. I don't know. It's not the case for me. I yearn for magic that is both clear and profound simultaneously, with a fundamental message that isn't trite and that is seamlessly interwoven within the tale of discovery, resulting in something that is always both evident and profound.

This particular tale accomplishes that. Perfectly. I love it.

“The hunger of a dragon is slow to wake, but hard to sate.”

The Folio Society edition is superbly illustrated by David Lupton. The story begins with a boy named Duny, born on the island of Gont in the magical archipelago of Earthsea. Only those with a wizard soul and the knowledge of the right words can control the magic that infuses this world. Duny's aunt knows a few spells, and he shows great aptitude, especially in calling birds of prey. His thirst for knowledge leads him to be assigned to a mage, Ogion, who tries to teach him about the balance of magic with the Earth. There is always a cost to using magic, and understanding this levy is crucial.

“You must not change one thing, one pebble, one grain of sand, until you know what good and evil will follow on that act. The world is in balance, in Equilibrium. A wizard’s power of Changing and of Summoning can shake the balance of the world. It is dangerous, that power. It is most perilous. It must follow knowledge, and serve need. To light a candle is to cast a shadow….”

Duny, who is also known as Sparrowhawk, becomes impatient with Ogion's restrained magic and is sent to the magic school on the Island of Roke. There, he is recognized as one of the most gifted students. However, his power and arrogance lead him to make a fatal mistake. In a moment of hubris, he summons a dead woman and opens a rift that nearly kills him and does kill an old mage. Something comes through the rift, and Sparrowhawk is burned in mind, body, and spirit. He is now pursued by a shadow from another world, much like Frankenstein's pursuit of his monster.

The interesting thing about this novel is that Ursula K. Le Guin's publisher asked her to write a book for older kids in the late 1960s, when the term Young Adult didn't even exist. She wanted to show where great wizards come from and make Ged (Sparrowhawk) more human and fallible. I liked the emphasis on the power of words and the importance of knowing the names of things. I had some trepidations about reading this book, as I'm not a Young Adult, but I was reassured by the fact that I've enjoyed Le Guin's writing before. I'm still pondering the trend of adults reading only Young Adult literature. Is it an extended childhood? Why do people always want to read about children or teenagers? I think there should be some evolution in what we choose to read as we grow older. Despite my concerns, I'm happy that people are reading, and this book has a lot to offer, including dragon battles, alluring women, friendships, painful realizations, and the growth and acceptance of our own limitations. Most importantly, it has a wizard as wise and powerful as Gandolf or Merlin, who emerges from the ashes of his own childish conceit. His name is Ged, but you must only whisper it, or better yet, refer to him as Sparrowhawk, and keep in the locked box at the center of your heart who he really is. “He hunted, he followed, and fear ran before him.”

The reading experience was extremely underwhelming. It was far drier than what I would have liked.

I had high expectations going into it, but unfortunately, it failed to meet them. The text seemed to lack the necessary engagement and excitement to keep me hooked.

It felt as if the author was simply presenting facts and information without adding any personal touch or creativity.

I found myself having to force myself to continue reading at times, which is never a good sign.

However, I will be providing a full review soon, where I will go into more detail about my thoughts and feelings on the book.

Stay tuned for that!

Le Guin is, I fear, the mother to a great many of you bitches.

Her influence can be seen far and wide in the world of literature. From Robin Hobb's Assassin's Apprentice to Brandon Sanderson's Tress of the Emerald Sea, Le Guin was and remains the blueprint.

Her works have inspired countless authors to explore new worlds, develop complex characters, and push the boundaries of what is possible in storytelling.

Her unique style and vision have left an indelible mark on the genre, and her ideas continue to shape the way we think about fantasy and science fiction.

Whether you are a die-hard fan or a casual reader, it is impossible to deny the impact that Le Guin has had on the literary landscape.

She is a true pioneer and a master of her craft, and her legacy will continue to inspire generations of writers to come.

I'm reading these books one at a time. However, I also have that big, thick book filled with all the illustrations. I will include it at some point in my reading journey.

I really enjoyed the book I'm currently reading. Right from the beginning, it managed to pull me in and capture my attention. But as I got a little further into it, it seemed to let up a bit and lose some of its grip. Nevertheless, I'm going to continue reading them because I truly do like the overall concept and story.

Happy Reading!

Mel

I truly wish I had come across this book during my childhood. It belongs to that rare category of books that manage to pack an epic tale within a mere 200 pages. Instead of painstakingly spelling out every single detail, it sketches the world, the minutiae, and the action, allowing the reader's imagination to run wild. As a child, getting lost in a book like this was an absolute delight, and it seemed all the more wonderful for it. The closest parallel I can draw is "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" - I was astounded when I re-read it and discovered that the so-called "epic battle" at the end was only about two pages long.

I can clearly see that this is precisely what UKLG aimed for with the first book of Earthsea. And I must admit, I did find enjoyment in it. However, it essentially condenses the entire span of seven Harry Potter novels into a single volume. As a result, it's all about the plot, the melancholy hero, and the passage of time, without really delving into the development of anyone's personality or adding depth and color to the world beyond its geography and a few memorable details, such as the children who have spent their entire lives alone on an isolated reef and have never laid eyes on another human being.

On the recommendation of another discerning reader, I downloaded this book from iTunes for $5 (I've had a gift certificate credit there since 2007... I don't typically buy music). Harlan Ellison's reading style is that of an overenthusiastic grandpa, complete with funny voices and all. Whether this enhanced or detracted from my enjoyment of the book, I'm truly unable to say.

I rated this 5* from memory of reading the trilogy (as it then was) back in the late 70s.

My wife has taken to reading to our very disabled daughter (now 13) while I make up her medicines before bedtime. It takes a while, as there are 8 drugs that need to be counted out, ranging from a 1/3rd of a pill to 4 pills, then crushed, mixed with water, sucked into a syringe and administered through a tube that goes through the wall of her stomach.

Anyway, A Wizard of Earthsea was a recent read, and listening to my wife read it has allowed me to revise my rating to a 4* and review it.

I recall book 2, The Tombs of Atuan, being the one I liked most. I had actually forgotten all the 2nd half of A Wizard of Earthsea.

Ursula Le Guin is undoubtedly an excellent writer in terms of prose and imagination. She uses the language with powerful economy.

AWoE is a short book. With only 56,000 words compared to the 400,000 word bricks GRRM and Rothfuss put out. I mention Rothfuss as AWoE looks to be an influence, with a magic school where our sole point-of-view character is educated from child to man in a form of magic where the true name of things gives power over them.

It is also a very summary book in many ways. Ged's years at the magic school (boys only) introduce us to only two other pupils by name (a friend and a rival), and we're not shown any actual lessons. A lot of ground is covered in very few words, which can leave a sense of shallowness and a lack of emotional engagement. This is offset by Le Guin's excellent prose, but not entirely.

The second half of the book, where Ged is variously pursued by or pursuing his nemesis, a magic he foolishly released as a student, was a bit of a grind for me. There is a lot of chasing a shadow across grey, rainy seas past bleak islands while Ged broods.

Obviously it's not as bad as I'm making out or I wouldn't have remembered it as a 5* book or be giving it 4* now. It's powerfully written and quite literary for all that it was written for children. The magic is mysterious, powerful, and used with restraint. The world is interesting and it's a classic for good reason.

I'm not sure what kind of reception it would get if it were released today, but that is an unfair test. We're still talking about this book 50 years after publication, and that's a vast achievement.

It's also interesting to see how the main character is whitewashed on many of the early covers. On the cover of my own copy his top half has conveniently turned into a hawk, sidestepping the 'problem'!

Join my Patreon
Join my 3-emails-a-year newsletter #prizes

I haven't delved into a fantasy novel for quite some time. I yearned for my mind to roam freely in a world that is not our own. And this book has truly exceeded my expectations, delivering everything one could desire from the fantasy genre. It's my initial encounter with Le Guin's work, and I'm pleasantly astonished by her unique writing style.

Her writing style is somewhat atypical for this genre, yet for me, it functions flawlessly. In a sense, it's simplistic, clean, and quiet, but it still manages to beautifully convey the story and the profound message of the book.

I would categorize this book as a coming-of-age narrative of the young wizard Ged. However, compared to Harry Potter, I found this one far more captivating. I adored the way magic is expounded upon in this book. In Le Guin's world, magic is not merely power; it's a force that one must be conscious and responsible towards. This force is interconnected with the land, nature, all living beings, language (the greatest power lies in knowing the true hidden name of things), and most importantly, the psychological maturity and conscience of the person wielding it. Ged is, in a way, 'a chosen one,' born with remarkable talent and abilities, just like Harry Potter. Nevertheless, his journey to power and becoming a wizard is by no means easy. As the saying goes, nothing valuable in the world comes effortlessly.

Ged learns early on that every moral decision he makes has a lasting consequence on him and the world he inhabits. Going into the Summoning practice unprepared, he invokes a shadow in this world, a nameless, shapeless creature that no one has power over, and he finds himself helpless in the face of this evil.

Every mistake he makes while using magic educates him about the flaws in his character as he becomes increasingly aware of his own darkness and eventually masters it. The quest is no longer about becoming the greatest wizard but about attaining maturity of character, a quest that we are all collectively embarked upon. It's truly challenging to explain the symbolic meaning of this book without spoiling the ending (one of the best endings!), but I'll hint that Le Guin, either consciously or instinctively, has crafted a fantasy story that perfectly describes the process Jung termed as the integration of the Shadow - making the dark, repressed, formless elements of ourselves conscious and integrated into our awareness (self).

For Jung, that is the first part of our psychological journey called individuation. And I will eagerly read the entire Earthsea series (as well as everything else Le Guin has written) to discover if there are more elements of individuation later on. Highly recommended for all fantasy enthusiasts!

I will return to her at some point. There are times when I find myself thinking about her, and that longing grows stronger with each passing day. The memories we shared still linger in my mind, vivid and precious. I can't help but wonder what she is doing now, how she is feeling. Maybe she is also thinking of me, waiting for my return.

I know that the path ahead may not be easy, but I am determined to make it back to her. No matter what obstacles come my way, I will overcome them. Because she is worth it. She is the one who makes my heart skip a beat, the one who brings joy and light into my life.

So, I will keep looking forward, keep moving forward. And when the time is right, I will return to her, and we will pick up where we left off. Our love will be stronger than ever, and we will create many more beautiful memories together.

I remember reading this book as a child and being completely captivated by it. The experience of reading and loving it has stayed with me all these years. However, the details of the contents have somehow slipped my mind. As it turns out, my brain knew what it was doing when it let go of those details. Yesterday, I was able to read it as if for the very first time, like a virgin to the story.

Nowadays, any fantasy book that features a school of wizardry inevitably brings up comparisons to Harry Potter. I can't help but make those connections myself. But it's important to note that A Wizard of Earthsea was published several decades before Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's/Philosopher's Stone. I wonder how much of it inspired J.K. Rowling's books. While the Potter series is deservedly popular, Earthsea's Roke Island's school of magic seems like a precursor to Hogwarts. And Le Guin's protagonist, Duny/Sparrowhawk/Ged, starts off as a boy with an unusual degree of natural talent for magic. However, to be fair, the similarities between the two books dwindle as you progress through A Wizard of Earthsea.

A Wizard of Earthsea is, to some extent, a bildungsroman about a boy named Duny who has a remarkable aptitude for learning and using magic. After saving his village from invaders, he is discovered by a wizard who gives him his true name, Ged. He travels with the wizard for a while but doesn't learn much magic due to the wizard's "Mr. Miyagi" style of teaching. Eventually, he is sent to Roke Island to enroll in a wizardry school. There, he learns magic quickly but soon makes a huge mistake and accidentally invokes something that should have been left alone. This leads to much turmoil and a search for redemption.
When Ursula K. Le Guin wrote this book in the 1960s, the fantasy genre was not as developed as it is today. There were only a few notable works, such as those by Tolkien and Lewis. This makes A Wizard of Earthsea a landmark for the now-thriving fantasy genre. Also, in those days, the term "magic system" did not exist, but Le Guin was already aware of the importance of imposing logic and limitations on the use of magic in a book to make the story believable. She cleverly created one of the earliest magic systems, based on the ideas of "words of power" and "true names". In the Earthsea universe, one who knows the true name of an object has power over it, and this principle also applies to people's names. Giving someone your true name is a significant act and should not be done lightly.
The book is necessarily fast-paced and eventful due to its relatively short length. Although the climax is not as spectacular as I had expected, it is still quite satisfying and leads to an elegant wrap-up of the story. The prose is beautifully written, as you would expect from Le Guin. Since the book was written for children, it is more accessible than her adult science fiction books. However, don't let the "for children" label fool you. There was no YA category at the time, and if there had been, this book would have been hailed as one of the best in that genre. The characterization is excellent, with Ged starting off as a typical arrogant young boy and growing into a kindhearted, responsible, and melancholy adult. If you have kids, this would be a great book to read to them. They can learn the important principle of "with great power comes great responsibility" from Ged's experiences, perhaps even more effectively than from Peter Parker's.
Another thing I remember from my first reading of this book in my teens is that I had difficulty getting into the second book, The Tombs of Atuan, because it switched to a new protagonist. I was so eager to know what Ged was going to do next. But now, as an adult, I realize that there are more Earthsea books to look forward to, and I'm excited to explore this wonderful world further.
In conclusion, A Wizard of Earthsea is a classic fantasy novel that has stood the test of time. It has inspired countless other works in the genre and continues to captivate readers of all ages. Whether you're a fan of fantasy or just looking for a great story, this book is definitely worth reading.