Difficult to review, I found this book haunting and beautiful but very strange. There was a lot that remained unexplained. Unlike many of her other novels, the characters in the beginning place aren't fleshed out. This makes the entire story very mysterious. A beginning place, always shrouded in twilight. A beginning in a time that's frozen at the close of day. I find myself constantly wondering what it all means. I'm sure I'll be contemplating it for a long time. It's as if the author has deliberately left gaps and ambiguities, inviting the reader to fill in the blanks with their own imagination. The strange atmosphere of the story lingers in my mind, making it impossible for me to forget. I keep coming back to it, trying to make sense of the strange events and the mysterious characters. It's a book that challenges the reader and makes them think, and for that, I think it's值得一读.

Ursula K. Le Guin was truly one of my first loves as a young reader. At the tender age of eleven, I discovered Tolkien, and my family moved for the first time. In the pre-internet world, everything I knew started anew. Despite the depression of losing all my friends and the worry of making new ones at a new school, that summer brought a wonderful discovery in my new town. There was a delightful bookstore within easy biking distance for my twelve-year-old self and my trusty bike.

I was doubly fortunate as this bookstore was just a couple of blocks away from the public library. And as an added bonus, there was (and still is) a Mickey D's in between. So, my young teen self could fill up on quarter pounders before biking home, back in the magical days when I could eat as many hamburgers as I wanted without a care in the world. Friendless, I found my way to the new bookshop and was delighted to discover that the owners also had a passion for Science Fiction and Fantasy.

After purchasing the Lord of the Rings trilogy and devouring it, I asked the owner what I should read next. He had a nice new paperback release rack filled with many enticing tales of speculative fiction. But I found myself unable to decide. So, he handed me A Wizard of Earthsea, and my journey into the magical worlds of the immensely talented Ursula K. Le Guin began. Needless to say, I devoured the Earthsea trilogy as it was in 1977 and went on to read her early Hainish novels as well.

By 1980, I had money from my paper route and later even more from busing tables and washing dishes at a dive steak place. I had started browsing the new hardcover release table and still remember my joy in seeing the first edition of The Beginning Place. A new Le Guin novel was cause for celebration, and my fifteen-year-old self devoured half of it before biking home. Since I had already paid for the book, the owner didn't mind my sitting against one of the comics racks and reading away.

Forty-three years have passed since I first read The Beginning Place. Before this reread, all I remembered was enjoying the forest descriptions and feeling a little like Hugh. Oh, how I longed to find a gateway to a magical land that felt like home in a way that my actual home did not. A girlfriend would have been a nice bonus, haha. I have reread many of the Le Guin books over the years, but never the shorter ones. So, when three of them were reissued a few years back, I picked them all up. The Beginning Place is up first, as is fitting its name.

I wish I had been the type of person in 1980 to write journal entries about my reading life, but I wasn't. Sadly, there was no goodreads.com in 1980 either. So, in many ways, after so much time, reading this novel was a bit like the first time again. The main difference being that initially I read this short novel at the beginning of my own life, and now, forty-plus years later, I am much closer to the end. In between, there has been joy and heartbreak, mistakes and the things in life that make working through the disappointments worthwhile.

So, how does The Beginning Place read to me in 2023? I think it holds up quite well. As in much of her fictional worlds, The Beginning Place is a natural world. Reading the journey that Hugh and Irena have to take reminded me at times of the second hand of The Left Hand of Darkness and that particular journey. Although the two 'quests' are not all that closely related, at least superficially. So much of what happens in Le Guin's works occurs beneath the surface of what you read. This is especially true of The Beginning Place.

I'm reminded of Le Guin's excellent translation of the Tao Te Ching and the principle of Taoism that states that the true way is not a way that can be named (my paraphrase). And even if the journey feels a bit long in the second half of both novels, the journey itself is part of the discovery process. One of the discoveries is something that I think echoes Thoreau: In wildness is the preservation of the world. It is in this wildness that Hugh and Irena accomplish what they need to while also finding a piece of themselves and each other. Enough to keep going in their own more mundane world. In a manner of speaking, the characters find three Beginning Places, and there is much magic to be had in these discoveries. As is her gift, Le Guin's prose reads more like a form of lyric poetry. It's precise, never overdone, and says just what it needs to, yet there is a music to its flow that sets it apart from the talents of lesser writers.

The Beginning Place is not without its faults, however. My biggest struggle with the book is with Hugh's mother. We get a fair amount of interaction between them, and the emotional abuse she inflicts upon him is not easy to read. My own mother, while not as overtly emotionally abusive, could be very critical and overly cross at times as I was growing up, so I understand a bit more about this kind of trauma now. Hugh has it much worse, which brings me to the question of why. Both Hugh and Irena suffer abuse by parental figures, much of Irena's taking place outside of the novel's pages, which in part does her story a disservice. But given she suffers sexual abuse, perhaps it is enough given the larger context of Le Guin's novel that we don't dive into the specific scenes.

The point of the novel is the way in which both Hugh and Irena are able to escape the abuse of their parents as they discover a healthier way forward for the two of them together. The Beginning Place also concludes by illustrating how much easier it was for a young unmarried couple to rent an apartment with more meager earnings than it would be today, perhaps too easy. But at the same time, I appreciate that Le Guin highlights that the other couple they are renting from are also unmarried. The way our world clings to the idealization of marriage as a magical space complete with legal rewards like tax benefits is something I would like to see change, but this is more of a personal aside.

I guess I find it a little hard to believe that Hugh's mother is entirely emotionally dead to him by her own choosing, so that she doesn't care one bit about his not coming home ever again. Hugh is not a bad person, and we don't see whatever happened to turn the mother into this dead thing inside towards her son. I would have liked to know a little more so that this would be a touch more believable. Le Guin is incapable of creating flat characters as EM Forster termed them, and so we learn some interesting things about Hugh's mom, such as that she believes she channels an ancient spirit and hangs out with a group that believes the same thing. How interesting, true or not! So, why is she completely dead inside toward her son? I had the pleasure once of introducing Ursula K. Le Guin at a reading she was doing at the bookstore I worked at. I was nervous about talking with her because I just idolized her work so much, but I'd like to think my now much older self would have asked about Hugh's mother!

All in all, The Beginning Place is a fine little novel that accomplishes much. I think it can be read in more than one way. Certainly, there are allegorical elements, but it is not concerned with being a medieval morality play. The characters are too complex for that. The novel's message is still there between the pages, like the gateway that is sometimes there and sometimes not. You can't always enter the Beginning Place, and sometimes it takes more than one trip to complete a journey. Patience is required. Patience and perseverance. Kind of like life.

A Fantasy/Romance story is set in a roughly modern-day context. The main characters, Hugh and Irena, find themselves slipping into a Narnia-like other world, which they refer to as The Beginning Place.

What I truly adored about this story was the way both Hugh and Irena were compelled to seek another "home" within this place. Their personal life struggles mirrored the challenges they faced in coming and going from The Beginning Place. The mystical nature of the place, along with the author's creative play with time both inside and around it, added an extra layer of allure.

However, I did find that due to the language difference of the locals and the name choices, some of the decisions and thoughts of the characters were a bit difficult to fathom. Nevertheless, I still give this story a solid ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 stars. The overall concept, the character development, and the enchanting world-building more than made up for the few minor drawbacks. It was a captivating read that kept me engaged from start to finish.

I would highly recommend this Fantasy/Romance to anyone who enjoys stories that blend elements of magic, adventure, and romance in a unique and imaginative way.

This cover does not represent the story at all, and is not the cover I had on my copy.

However, the story itself is truly wonderful and magical. It is told in a beautiful way that captivates the reader from beginning to end.

It's like a modern-day Narnia, but with a bit more bite and a touch of healing specifically for grown-ups.

The author has crafted a world that is both enchanting and thought-provoking, filled with vivid characters and exciting adventures.

As you read, you'll find yourself completely immersed in this magical realm, experiencing a range of emotions along the way.

Whether you're looking for a thrilling escape or a story that will touch your heart and soul, this one has it all.

It's a must-read for anyone who loves a good fantasy story with a unique twist.

So, don't be deterred by the cover – give this amazing story a chance and prepare to be amazed.

I truly adored the suspense and the remarkable writing craft that was so evident in the first three-fourths of this work.

It was simply outstanding, captivating my attention from the very beginning. The way the story was constructed, the build-up of tension, and the skillful use of language to create an atmosphere of mystery and anticipation were all truly impressive.

However, as much as I loved that initial part, it seemed that it was just too good to last.

It's a bit like when you have a delicious meal and you savor every bite, but then it comes to an end too soon.

I had a similar feeling about the first "Earthsea" novella. The beginning was engaging and full of promise, but it was the sequels that failed to really grab me.

They didn't have the same level of excitement or the ability to hold my interest in the same way.

Nonetheless, the first three-fourths of this and the first "Earthsea" novella still left a lasting impression on me, and I will always remember the moments of pure enjoyment and literary excellence that they provided.

What a frustrating book!

I find myself constantly wondering why Le Guin decided to pen this particular work. Was it simply a matter of financial need? Or perhaps it was to fulfill some contractual obligation that she couldn't escape from? To be quite honest, I am truly baffled as to why a writer of her remarkable calibre would produce such a lackluster and unsubstantial piece of literature.

The only redeeming factor that earns this book two stars instead of a mere one is the fact that Le Guin still has the ability to craft some truly lovely sentences within its pages. However, this small glimmer of hope is not nearly enough to salvage the overall disappointment that this book has left me with. It's a real pity that a writer of her talent could produce something so underwhelming.

This book,

took me an inordinate amount of time to read compared to what it probably should have taken. When I initially began it, I was extremely busy and constantly tried to pick it up, but unfortunately, I kept getting easily distracted. However, today I finally truly delved into it with great focus, and to my surprise, I finished it within a couple of hours.

At the beginning, it starts off rather slowly, and you are more than likely to have the feeling that it's not progressing anywhere. In fact, for the first quarter of the book, the story comes across as disjointed and rather confusing. But, as the story unfolds, the author manages to bring all the elements together quite nicely towards the end.

Perhaps it is simply the fact that the subject matter really hits home for me that makes me like this book so much. It is about the concept of escaping into a world of make-believe when real life becomes overly painful and having the courage to leave behind the toxic people in your life, even though it is an extremely difficult thing to do.

Overall, it is a beautiful little book. I firmly believe that if more effort had been invested in world building and developing the character depth, I would have truly adored it and considered it a literary masterpiece.

I can only write Thank you Ursula for this...

Basically, for a long time I have had my own place in my thoughts where I withdraw from everything and listen to the Trees and the Stream singing... probably there are many of us who have such a place... well, this is a book for those who like to wander either in reality or in their minds, to that place where "Everything begins".

I think this is yet another proof that Ursula wrote beautifully, not only including her Earthsea or Hain. Basically, this is a novel not related to those series and it is excellent.

Ursula's works have always had a unique charm. Her descriptions are so vivid that they can easily draw readers into the wonderful worlds she creates. In this particular piece, the concept of a special place in one's thoughts where one can find peace and inspiration is truly captivating. It makes me wonder how many other readers out there can relate to this idea. The fact that this novel stands on its own, independent of her well-known series, shows her versatility as a writer. It's a testament to her talent that she can create such engaging stories in different settings and with different themes. I'm looking forward to exploring more of her works in the future.

This is a rather confused short book that clearly shows its age. It's not quite as much of a young adult book as I recalled.

The point-of-view characters are strangely neither heroic nor attractive. There are definitely some slow parts and some rather thin sections.

However, it does have a good and strong ending, yet it feels oddly detached from the rest of the book.

As a hiker myself, the hiking bits now ring a bit more true to me.

The initial scenes along the creek were among the strongest in the book.

Overall, while it has its flaws, there are still some redeeming qualities that make it an interesting read.

As short as this book is, it took me a while to finish.

This is mainly because I read so much for work that I haven't been reading much for pleasure lately. However, the slow pace let me really absorb it.

On the surface, this book is a standard portal fantasy. People from our world find their way into another and have to go on a quest to save it. But Le Guin is never that obvious. Instead, I think this book is a commentary on fantasy itself. There are times when it's useful, and there's a time to leave it behind. I'm reminded of Tolkien's rebuttal to the criticism that fantasy literature is simply escapism. He said, "In what the misusers are fond of calling Real Life, Escape is evidently as a rule very practical, and may even be heroic...Why should a man be scorned if, finding himself in prison, he tries to get out and go home? Or if, when he cannot do so, he thinks and talks about other topics than jailers and prison-walls?"

Clearly, the main characters of The Beginning Place need an escape from their oppressive, toxic family lives and seemingly hopeless personal situations. They find it in a bucolic fantasy world that's stuck in a perpetual twilight. Of course, one of them finds it long before the other and even tries to act as a "gatekeeper" to shun the other visitor from their private fantasy world. (This makes me wonder if the gatekeeping behavior of toxic fans today was equally as fierce when this book was first written 40 years ago.)

Le Guin's insight is that escape into fantasy isn't the end of the characters' stories. It's necessary, but it's also a stepping stone to a deeper, healthier, more fulfilling life back in the real world where the rest of us live. I hope that's not giving too much away, but this isn't a novel about action twists and turns. It's a book about finding a respite from the world while gathering your strength to face it once again.

Le Guin shows us that fantasy can be a powerful tool for self-discovery and growth. It can help us to see our own lives in a new light and to find the courage to make positive changes.

In conclusion, The Beginning Place is a thought-provoking and beautifully written book that I would highly recommend to anyone who loves fantasy literature or is interested in exploring the power of the imagination.

“For the time beyond the clocks is always now and the way to forever is now.”

Lately, I have been eager to explore the works of diverse authors. Ursula Le Guin's book was my first encounter with her writing. To be frank, throughout most of the reading, I was indecisive about my feelings towards it. I can't generalize about Le Guin's entire writing style based on this one book, but this particular work was written in a tone that was both direct and yet, in some way, lyrical and poetic. I was confused almost the entire time. Even at the very end, I wasn't entirely sure what had transpired, but I was so captivated by the way Le Guin intertwined words and the detailed描绘 of the book's scenery that I had to read it to the finish to see where it was headed.

Once the book concluded, I sat there and thought, "What on earth? This is a terrible book with an unresolved ending, and I have no clue what the whole story was about. Why did I read this?" It was only after sitting in confusion and frustration for a while that the seed this book had planted in my mind began to fully blossom, and my thoughts were filled with the magic of The Beginning Place. The rest of this review will be my take on what I think happened, although I suppose it's open to interpretation.

In The Beginning Place, our two main characters, Hugh and Irene, stumble upon a place where time halts. Both seeking to flee from the traumas of their daily lives, they enter this realm of peace and tranquility, of eternal twilight and silence. It's a place they can both retreat to and escape from the lives they feel they have no control over. For a time, this seems like a great solution to both of their problems. They can run away to this place and not have to deal with their lives. That is, until fear, like a solid wall, spreads through the twilight place and the people who live there, rendering them also unable to manage their own lives. The people of the town are crippled by a fear so intense that they can't walk the passages from their town to other towns and make trades for essentials like food and clothing. This fear will be the downfall of the twilight place and its inhabitants unless Hugh and Irene can confront the creature that the townspeople are so afraid of.

Hugh and Irene embark on a journey to an unknown destination to face a thing they're not even sure exists. In the encounter, the thing takes on a slightly different form for each of them. For Hugh, it's a humanoid woman figure that symbolizes his mother, and for Irene, it's a male figure that symbolizes her stepfather. By confronting the creature and overcoming it, they are able to face and overcome their own fears and take action to make changes in their lives.

After (I think) realizing the symbolism in this book, I also came to appreciate other aspects of it. Le Guin infuses so much vivid detail into the nature of the twilight place. Her writing style is highly poetic, making the whole thing feel like one enormous poem. While reading, there seems to be a certain disconnect between the characters and the narration. It's as if Hugh and Irene know better what they're doing and where they're going than the reader does, and we're left simply to observe as an afterthought. Observing in this way gives the entire book a dream-like quality that I haven't encountered in other books.

I'm giving this book 4 stars, rather than a full 5, simply because: The ending felt a bit messy and rushed to me. Along the way, Hugh and Irene fall in love rather abruptly and decide to move in together and start a life. I'm not sure if there was a more elegant way for this book to end. I would have preferred it to end more smoothly, with the romance feeling more natural.

This is a slow-paced novel. However, to be honest, once I accepted it for what it truly was, I found myself liking it.

It delves into that strange period between being a teenager and evolving into a fully-fledged adult. It explores how effortlessly one can get trapped in a familiar yet unfulfilling lifestyle.

It's not a typical, straightforward portal fantasy. Instead, it leans more towards being metaphorical rather than simply fantastical.

I believe the aspect where this book truly shines is in its vivid descriptions of nature. When Hugh arrives at the initial place and spends around 10 pages just Contemplating the Stream, it feels like a work of art.

I also have the sense that many problems could potentially be resolved if everyone took the time to Contemplate Streams.

This novel offers a unique perspective on life's transitions and the power of nature's contemplation. It may not be for everyone, but for those who appreciate a more thoughtful and metaphorical read, it has the potential to be a truly engaging experience.