Le Guin is truly one of the few authors whom I will always search for with great anticipation at a used-book store. It was precisely in such a place that I happened to discover her remarkable work, Gifts.

This is a solid and quiet fantasy, masterfully written. However, it is told with a certain distance in terms of time and emotion. It leans more towards being a parable rather than a completely lifelike portrayal. It is good and important, yet not quite great. Nevertheless, it is still highly recommended. The parable it presents, about the pressures that cultures of inheritance impose on upcoming generations, is a powerful one that lingers in your mind.

None of us has the luxury of choosing the circumstances of our birth or upbringing. But inevitably, we all develop the capacity to choose our response to them. Gaining a proper perspective on that choice is no easy feat, especially when you are born with certain Gifts. It makes you question and reflect on the complex interplay between what is given to us and what we make of it.

This book is truly not to my liking.

I was compelled to analyze it for a literature class. The underlying premise is that individuals with extraordinary gifts, such as the ability to set fires with their eyes or contort people's insides with a mere flick of the wrist, are cursed.

It indeed challenges one to ponder over the delicate boundary between special gifts and mental illness.

On the surface, it sounds rather interesting, but in reality, the book is dreadfully dry, and the pseudo-terminology it employs is extremely difficult to comprehend and digest.

It's as if the world of Harry Potter has collided with the wild, wild west, resulting in a rather unappealing and confusing concoction.

Overall, I found this book to be a disappointment and not at all what I was hoping for.

This story takes place in a precarious world.

As such, violence is endemic in the relationships between different groups of people. How can two people with a different worldview deal with that? In this society, different groups of people have unique gifts, magical abilities that allow them to stand out or defend themselves from others. In the case of our protagonists, one has the gift but doesn't like to use it for the purpose others expect of her, while he isn't sure if he has a gift, but definitely doesn't want to use it. Their respective social groups see them as a burden, a useless asset, although they manage to find some benefit from it.

The other themes of the story have to do with maturity and responsibility, appropriate for two young people who are gradually becoming adults. They not only have to assume responsibility for their own powers but also the responsibilities that the world they live in decides to throw at them. Maybe one doesn't like to use their power to harm others, but when these others threaten with attack and plunder, there is a responsibility to protect the members of your group.

The narration from the protagonist's point of view is very good. It is completely believable as a growing young person and allows us to realize things at the same time as him. It is also very lyrical, almost like a prose poem.

In theory, it is supposed to be a story for young people, but I believe that an adult can enjoy it just as much. It is a quite good story.

The full review is available at https://inthenevernever.blogspot.com/...

«It came from very far to the south, beyond Algalanda, where the stories of the High Lands are just that: stories, old rumors of the distant northern lands, where evil sorcerers lived in frozen mountains and did impossible things».

What would happen if you had a power that you couldn't control? How would it be to have a gift and not want to use it to cause harm, even though everyone expects you to? What would it imply to grow up in lands in constant conflict with their neighbors? To live in fear of the powers that other domains might use against you and yours? To conclude my reviews of #LeoAutorasOct this year, there is nothing better than to reread one of my favorite authors. Today I want to recommend to you "The Gifts", by Ursula K. Le Guin, the first book of the fantasy trilogy "Annals of the Western Shore".

This story takes us to a world full of magic and mystery, where the characters must face their own fears and desires. The protagonist, Ged, discovers that he has a special gift that sets him apart from others. As he grows and learns to control his power, he also has to deal with the expectations and prejudices of those around him. The book explores themes such as identity, power, and responsibility, making it a thought-provoking and engaging read.

This movie is a bit dull and lacks excitement. It clearly feels like it's part of a trilogy.

The story seems to be dragging along, not really grabbing the viewer's attention. The characters are not very well-developed, and it's hard to really care about what happens to them.

The special effects are also just average, nothing really stands out. Overall, it's a mediocre film that doesn't offer much in terms of entertainment.

I would rate it a 4 out of 10. It's not a terrible movie, but it's also not one that I would rush to watch again. There are definitely better options out there in the world of cinema.

Maybe the other films in the trilogy will be more engaging and offer a more satisfying viewing experience. But based on this one, I'm not holding my breath.

Serinin's first book is that one which builds the universe, gets to know the characters and makes us experience the rhythm that slows down a bit more heavily with its reverse corners.

If Le Guin hadn't written it, if there hadn't been her comment and promise, would I have been such a greedy reader?

Once you take a look into this fantastic world, there are so many realistic reasons crammed in that her choice of the fantastic as a literary genre is a blessing for me.

The first book left many question marks in my mind and went away, but I know that I will have as many flashbacks as the seeds it sowed.

Although the skills, talents, abilities, and tricks that I said would be of no practical use were presented with such a strange and compelling title as "Ladies and Gentlemen," the author showed within the flow that they are useful for survival and within the team spirit. After all, we are talking about people living in a place like a mountain, meadow, or village.

Finally, it must not be a book to get to know the author 1. Why aren't the thin three books published in the form of one book, see the Sea of Earth stories 2. May Allah forgive, what kind of cover is that? The person who makes the cover illustrations does not agree with my artistic spirit. A cover worthy of the novels.

I have no secret about my admiration for Ursula K. Le Guin. Ever since I read The Dispossessed last year, I have been constantly fascinated by her work. However, I only knew her science-fiction side and wanted to discover her fantastic side. The Gifts, the first part of the Annals of the Western Shore trilogy, has been a godsend, a wonderful book that I read at the right moment.

With the delicacy we are accustomed to, the author gives us a fantasy different from the usual: completely far from the epic and deeply introspective. A light and slow story that explores with great subtlety the pain caused by trying to meet the expectations that others have of you, the frustration and sadness that arises from discovering that you are different and that you neither want nor can change it.

In this case, the worldbuilding or the magical system is a way to adorn and create an attractive wrapper for the message that wants to be transmitted. If you are looking for a fantasy book where magic and action are the main course, where the worldbuilding leaves you with your mouth open, where the characters are great heroes or terrible villains, this book is not for you. It is a very intimate book that aims to make the reader reflect, where its characters are so real that we can see ourselves reflected in them. Like all the novels I have read by the author, it is a book that seeks criticism from her great knowledge of anthropology.

In summary, The Gifts has been a captivating read that has kept me glued to its pages from the first moment. I love Ursula's way of narrating, the ease she has of enveloping you within her story through a beautiful, careful and evocative prose. Highly recommended.

This is one of the Le Guin books that is highly focused on anthropology rather than plot.

Most of her books have that perspective, but in some, especially her sci-fi works, it is more prominent than in others.

In "Gifts", we follow two teenagers, Gry and Orrec, both of whom come from a lineage of people with Gifts. Gifts are inherited magical traits that can be either weapons (such as an invisible knife or a way to cripple someone) or passive (like communing with animals). They seem to only be present in those from the Northern Uplands of a strange country, whom the Southerners refer to as 'witches'.

The book is narrated by Orrec, a boy whose lineage's gift is greatly feared by others. His father, Canoc, wields this gift with great care and deliberateness - it's like a WMD in a medieval setting.

Orrec tells us about his childhood and the lay of the land. He shares his family's history, the customs of the uplanders, his parents' courtship, the rivals of nearby landowners, and of course, his own experience of coming into his Gift.

It's a strange book because it would be rather dry if not for the beauty of Le Guin's writing. She reminds me a great deal of Hobb in her ability to bring people to life on the page. She truly understands how people interact with each other, how much can be conveyed in just a few words, and how little people often know about what is going on inside themselves.

There is also some intrigue regarding the true nature of Orrec's gift, but the twist (if it can be called that) is fairly obvious from the start.

This appears to be the first book of a trilogy, and I will definitely be reading the rest soon. It's a quick and easy read with excellent writing and complex emotions. Recommended, but not my favorite Le Guin book.

Witch-clans often display a rather interesting behavior pattern. They can be passive-aggressive towards one another, and on occasion, even active-aggressive.

The story that unfolds is a mellow one, with relatively low stakes. It focuses on just one or two lives.

When I initially read it, I found it quite enjoyable. However, as time has passed, I've come to suspect that perhaps it was a little unremarkable in the end.

This is because, after the fact, I find myself struggling to come up with many things to discuss about it. It seems that while it was pleasant enough during the reading, it didn't leave a lasting impression that would spark in-depth conversations or analysis.

Nevertheless, it still had its charm and provided a bit of entertainment for a short while.

3.5

Ursula K. Le Guin's works that I haven't read are like precious treasures hidden for my tough days. Here, by tough days, I mean the situation of not being able to read, which is called a reading slump.

I really like it when Ursula K. Le Guin starts telling the story as if the reader already knows everything. I love her strange universes, her female characters, and her worlds that respect nature and animals. This amazing woman, who is one of my favorite writers in life, has another very unique and good book, "Powers", which is the first book of the "Annals of the Western Shore" series. I'm not sure if we can really call it fantastic. "Powers" was more of a fairy-tale-like novel to me. It's a novel full of well-developed characters that makes you think again about the relationship between nature and humans, animals and humans, and has something to say about love and ability. I will continue with the series. I like it very much.

It's like Ursula K. Le Guin has this magical ability to transport us to different worlds and make us think deeply about various aspects of life. Her writing style is so captivating that once you start reading, it's hard to put the book down. I can't wait to explore more of her works and discover the wonderful stories and ideas she has to offer.

Each of her books seems to be a new adventure, filled with surprises and lessons. I'm sure that as I continue to read her works, I will gain more insights and a deeper appreciation for her talent as a writer.

A truly touching human account.

This is my first work by Ursula K. Le Guin, and I can't wait to explore the rest of what she has written.

Ursula K. Le Guin is a renowned author known for her thought-provoking and imaginative works. Her writing has the power to transport readers to different worlds and make them reflect on various aspects of human nature and society.

With this first encounter, I am already captivated by her storytelling. The way she weaves the narrative and develops the characters is truly remarkable. It makes me eager to delve deeper into her body of work and discover more of her literary gems.

Each of her books is likely to offer a unique and enriching experience, filled with profound insights and engaging plots. I look forward to embarking on this literary journey and seeing where it takes me.