Finally, after a long and dry stretch, I came across a really good read. I absolutely loved this book. It was so cozy and warm, just like the way reading used to feel when I was a kid. The story was engaging and filled with interesting characters and plot twists. It took me on a journey to a different world and made me forget about all the stress and烦恼 of my daily life. I found myself completely immersed in the book and didn't want to put it down. It was one of those rare books that you can read over and over again and still enjoy it just as much. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good story and a cozy read.

This one has a rather slow start, which makes me really wonder how effectively it will work for young adults.

In the beginning, we are introduced to Orrec as a boy who was made blind by his father. As the book progresses, we get to see various vignettes over the course of his early years. These vignettes are preparing him for the development of his gift.

Having just finished "I Am Number Four", "Gifts" makes a great contrast. "I Am Number Four" is more fast-paced, but there are so many little holes and a general lack of attention to detail. With Le Guin, we are presented with a fully developed world. In this world, people are living away from the middle of society. Their culture is a long-standing one, full of traditions that have developed over time. Orrec slowly becomes his own person. And when he finds himself in tough situations, he doesn't necessarily find a neat way out. We see a much more natural development of a teen romance than in "I Am Number Four". I was really happy to see Orrec and Gry help each other, and I am actually eager to find out what happens in the following books.

I truly hope that some teens will discover this book and see a superpower story done well.

Gifts, by Ursula K. LeGuin, is an outstanding book. There are numerous aspects that make it truly enjoyable. My favorite part is about a boy named Orec. He believes he has a "gift" because his father told him so. His gift is a "wild gift" that only works when he can see. If he sees what he's facing, he can make it unreal. That's why he lives blindfolded. But in the end, it turns out he doesn't have a gift at all. His father made him believe he did to keep the family safe from the man who destroyed their home. Orec thought he was a danger to everyone, but he wasn't.

Interestingly, my favorite character isn't the main one. It's Orec's mother, Melle of Caspromant. After Orec was blindfolded, she brought light to his life. She told him stories and talked to him in a peaceful manner. At least that's how I imagine it.

The way the story is told is beautiful. It showcases the different ways people live their lives and how diverse they can be. We all have our unique ways of living, and we need to recognize that. To those who haven't read this book yet, I hope you'll like it and find it inspiring. I also hope you'll agree with some of the things I've said about it.

I think this book was truly remarkable.

It left me deeply impressed by its engineering. I believe it serves as an interesting complement to "Wizard of Earthsea". In "Wizard of Earthsea", it's about a boy destined for great power and dealing with that. Meanwhile, in "Gifts", it's about a boy who fails to have any destined/genetic power and has to deal with that. As a coming-of-age story, it's also about the struggle against one's father, which is quite appreciable.

While "Wizard of Earthsea" (the series) seemed to be about a man reconciling with himself, with death, and with power in a more dreamy and existential way, "Gifts" felt like a man reconciling with himself and with power in a very concrete manner, in relation to family and station. I wonder if this is a growth on the theme (considering "Earthsea" was from 1968 and "Gifts" from 2004), or if these narratives simply complement each other. Ged of Earthsea is endowed with incredible power very early on, while Orrec of the Uplands is handicapped by a sort of anti-power. He seems to have no control over his ability to look at things and "unmake" them, thus having to blindfold himself.

The setup is really interesting. The crux of it - the idea of being so uncontrollably powerful that one has to nerf oneself for the safety of those around - grounds the book's themes more in how someone should live in society and how one should take care of others (compared to "Earthsea", where Ged's overpoweredness harms only himself - a moral fable rather than a consequentialist story). The blindfold Orrec wears is impressively multi-layered. It's a symbol of the sacrifices he makes, a mark of his disability, the burden of responsibility itself (as his gift and its wildness are political tools to keep his father's enemies at bay), and a symbol of his faith in his father/society/traditions. Orrec is increasingly unsure if he actually has this "wild gift" and is just taking his father's word that he is dangerous.

** SPOILER **
This is another coming-of-age story about how kids realize their parents are wrong. One of the twists is that another character, Gry, proposes that the gifts are being used in the wrong direction - creating threats instead of solving problems. For example, Orrec's family line uses their "gift" mostly to unmake human beings who are a threat to their territory, rather than for its more practical applications like unmaking knots or tangled hair. Le Guin throws a sweet wrench into this "revelation" as it turns out Orrec doesn't even have the gift, and there's another nice moral about "making your own gift" (another indulgent author thing, as his gift is the power of storytelling and words).
** SPOILER **

I think both of these lines of thought point to these kids discovering a society that emphasizes the wrong thing - these magical gifts - or emphasizes them in the wrong way. It's a very wise construction, I'd say.

The other interesting thing about this book is the ending. Orrec and Gry decide to leave the Uplands, which have this lineage of gifts and land ownership by gift, and go to the non-magical Lowlands to start afresh. I definitely expected Gry's revelation that the gifts are being used wrongly (for killing and territorialism) to lead to a social revolution of sorts. Instead, Orrec rejects the stewardship of the land, the servants, and the peasants his father lords over, and Gry does the same. They simply leave this messed-up system they were born into to its own devices, I guess. It's definitely an interesting move. Orrec rejects the gift, his father's expectations, his father's inheritance of land and power, and his responsibilities to "his" people - to go do his own thing. It's an anti-narrative to learning the wisdom and power necessary to become a grand wizard or king or whatever. It feels like a kid coming to terms with not having to be responsible if he doesn't want to, which is a solid coming-of-age narrative that's been done before, but this time with a really delicious amount of complexity.

PS The book opens with the two facts that Orrec's mother is dead and that Orrec can't control his power to turn people into mush. So I was on edge for more than half of the book, waiting for that absolutely horrific tragedy to happen, which was quite stressful. Just know that he doesn't accidentally turn his mom into mom-mush from the start, which makes the whole experience more enjoyable. You're welcome.

Marifetler, Güçler ve Sesler'i okuduğum bu döneme hayatımın Batı Sahili dönemi diyebilirim.

When I read this series, it was like a transformation took place within me.

I was no longer the same person.

The words in the book seemed to have a magical power, pulling me into a different world.

It was as if I could feel the emotions and experiences of the characters vividly.

This reading experience opened up a new perspective for me.

It made me look at life from a different angle and understand things that I had never noticed before.

The power of these stories was truly remarkable.

They had the ability to touch my heart and soul, leaving a lasting impression.

Now, I can say with certainty that this period of reading Marifetler, Güçler ve Sesler has become an important part of my life.

It has shaped me in ways that I could never have imagined.

And I will always cherish this wonderful journey of discovery.

The first book of the West Coast Years trilogy, Marifetler, has become a book that I really like.

It has a static and advancing plot structure, a plain narrative style, a smooth and flowing writing style, and impressive emphases on social roles, the power struggles of people with different abilities, identity confusion, ethical dilemmas, and relationships. The use of fantastic elements in a story that highlights psychological and sociological dynamics results in an easy-to-read story that contains deep messages.

The community known as the Mountains is divided into clans within itself. Each of these clans has powers called Marifetler that manifest themselves with different abilities. These powers are passed down from father to son and mother to daughter in each clan. Marifetler, which includes abilities such as summoning animals, controlling people, decomposing organic and inorganic substances, feeling diseases in people, and hitting a targeted object from a distance by controlling knives, the most capable of these powers belongs to the Brantoru clan. Marriages are made between clans to maintain the purity of power. Struggles have arisen between the clans to capture large animals and expand their lands.

Orrec, whose father is Brantor, keeps his eyes closed with a blindfold to avoid harming those around him because he believes he has a destructive power. Gry, who has the ability to summon animals, opposes using his power to hunt animals. Brantor Canoc, who goes against the tradition of marrying within the clan, marries a woman named Mellie from the Ovalılar, a community without Marifetler. By getting to know the characters of Orrec, Gry, Canoc, and Mellie, we learn about their perceptions of power, the values they cherish, and their roles in the social structure within the framework of this story.

With its gradual progression, smooth narrative, and plot that highlights personal values, I highly recommend it.

Lovely! This trilogy is truly a gem. The world-building is outstanding, creating a vivid and immersive universe that draws the reader in from the very beginning. The prose is clear and engaging, making it a pleasure to read. The characters are strong and believable, each with their own unique motivations and personalities. It's wonderful to see how they develop and interact throughout the story. I'm so glad that I finally got around to reading this trilogy, and now that I have, I can't wait to explore the other two books on my shelf. I'm sure they'll be just as captivating and enjoyable as this one.

Dear Ursula Le Guin,

Over the years, you have bestowed upon me numerous precious gifts, each of which I hold dear. Your most recent offering, a book of the same name, is no exception. Although it may not be the favorite among many of my friends who also adore your work, and perhaps I can't even label it as my absolute favorite, I received "Gifts" from you at the perfect moment, just as I have with your other masterpieces.

When my fantasy worlds were inundated with overly simplistic portrayals of good versus evil, and I was grappling with the binary worldview that was being forced upon me, you introduced me to Sparrowhawk. He showed me a manifestation of the contradictions within myself. Sparrowhawk was neither purely good nor evil; he simply was. And at that time, there was no character quite like him or a book as profound as "A Wizard of Earthsea" that I could discover.

When I was struggling with my sexuality and combating the indoctrinated prejudices that betrayed my core and made me a homophobe despite my bisexuality, you painted a vivid picture of gender on the cold landscapes of Gethen. You taught me tolerance on that ice planet, which was so similar to our own. Through your work, I learned to be tolerant not only of others but, above all, of myself.

When I needed to aspire to something better, you gave me the only character in literature whom I wished (and still wish) I could be. While many might choose Jesus, Buddha, or Muhammed, for me, it is Shevek. I can envision a future where the only surviving book is "The Dispossessed" and a new religion forms around the scientist from Annares. Before that occurs, however, I will simply strive to live as Shevek lived and be like he was. I will approach our world with eyes wide open to its inequities and refuse to be silenced, even when the din drowns out my voice.

The gifts you have bestowed are more than I could have ever hoped to receive from any author. And now, here you have given me yet another. "Gifts" may be the most emotionally satisfying gift you've given me, Ursula. It didn't make me weep, reduce me to profound depression, or lift me to heights of unrestrained joy, nor did it fill me with spiritual uplift. Instead, it was a place of quiet peace, where Orrec's telling of his story was perfectly suited to the simplicity of the betrayals and sacrifices that shaped his life - deep, personal, true, and satisfying. I have heard that "Voices" is even better, but I find that hard to believe because I haven't read a better book than "Gifts" in a very long time.

So, thank you, Ursula, for being the author of my heart. I hope one day I get to stand in your presence. You are one of my heroes, and I love you.

Accepter of your gifts,
Brad

I thoroughly enjoyed this piece of writing. It was not only interesting but also had a compelling quality that kept me engaged from start to finish. There were certain points that were truly quite moving. LeGuin's prose, as always, was lucid and sharp, cutting through the text with precision. However, I do believe that in order to fully understand and feel the impact of Orrec's story, one needs to also read "Voices" by Sarah Porter.

This additional reading would provide a more comprehensive context and perhaps offer a different perspective that could enhance the overall experience of Orrec's tale. It's like adding another layer to a complex and rich narrative, allowing the reader to delve deeper into the world that LeGuin has created.

Overall, I would highly recommend both this work and "Voices" to anyone who enjoys thought-provoking and engaging literature. The combination of LeGuin's masterful writing and the potential insights from "Voices" make for a truly rewarding reading experience.

This is the first volume of the trilogy Annals of the Western Shore. It was published in 2004 and received a nomination for the Locus Award for Best Fantasy Novel in 2005. I decided to read it because the final volume is part of the monthly reading for January 2022 in the Hugo & Nebula Awards: Best Novels group.

The story commences with the protagonist, a young man named Orrec, along with his girlfriend (as we can surmise), Gry. They are telling stories about the local Upland magic, known as Gifts, and its bearers to a man from the more civilized Lowlands (in the sense of having cities). The man initially assumes that all these tales are merely superstitions of the local backward peasants. These Gifts typically follow the family line, and both Orrec and Gry come from such lines. Gry's talent lies in communicating with animals, but Orrec's Gift is far more perilous - the power of undoing. It is so dangerous that he is reluctant to even speak about it. Moreover, we discover that he was blinded by his own father to prevent accidental damage caused by his Gift. What unfolds next is the story of Orrec and Gry, spanning from their childhood (and even including the story of Orrec's parents) to the present day. It details how their Gifts first manifested (if they manifested at all) and how they grapple with the expectations of society.

The prose is beautiful, and the story flows smoothly, captivating the reader from beginning to end.

One of my goals for 2018 is to read the works of Ursula K. Le Guin that I have pending. I wanted to start with the Western Shore Trilogy because I was really eager for some young adult fantasy. And although it is currently out of print, I was lucky that the wonderful public library in my city had the complete set. As soon as I could, I got the first volume: Gifts. How is it? We are going to talk about it right now. Review inside!

Orrec and Gry are sixteen years old and live in the High Lands, located in the north of the Western Shore. They are the children of two brantors, the governors of the domains into which those lands are divided. Both descend from powerful lineages and have mysterious gifts: Gry can attract animals, communicate with them and give them orders; Orrec can "undo" everything within his reach with just a gesture of his hand and a whisper.

Despite the strength of their powers, their domains are stalked by others just as可怕: the power to slowly corrupt the entrails of another person until stealing their life, the power to heal, the power to twist a body until completely deforming it, the power to read minds or the power to use fire. All of them coexist in a precarious balance, in a cruel world in which the slightest sign of weakness can lead to the destruction of an entire lineage.

Continues in... https://lanaveinvisible.com/2018/06/0...

This one took me a while to get through for various ~life~ reasons. It wasn't necessarily because of the book itself. To be honest, it's not my favorite work of Le Guin's. However, there were certain aspects related to the dad that really hit hard.

Le Guin is a renowned author, and her works often explore deep and complex themes. In this particular piece, while it may not have captured my full attention throughout, there were still moments that had a significant impact. The portrayal of the dad's character and the relationships within the story added an interesting layer.

Perhaps it was the way Le Guin delved into the emotions and experiences related to fatherhood that made those parts stand out. It made me reflect on my own relationships and the role of fathers in our lives. Despite not being my absolute favorite, this book still had its merits and offered some thought-provoking insights.