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Earthsea Cycle #5

Tales from Earthsea

ursula k. le guin

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Five stories of Ursula K. Le Guin's world-renowned realm of Earthsea are collected in one volume. Featuring two classic stories, two original tales, and a brand-new novella, as well as new maps and a special essay on Earthsea's history, languages, literature, and magic.

The Finder
Darkrose and Diamond
The Bones of the Earth
On the High Marsh
Dragonfly

280 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published May 4,2001
Series
Earthsea Cycle
Literary awards
locus award, british fantasy award, endeavour award, 
Places
earthsea realm, 

This edition

Format
280 pages, Mass Market Paperback
Published
October 28, 2003 by Ace
ISBN
9780441011247
ASIN
0441011241
Language
English

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About the author

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ursula k. le guin

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Ursula K. Le Guin published twenty-two novels, eleven volumes of short stories, four collections of essays, twelve books for children, six volumes of poetry and four of translation, and has received many awards: Hugo, Nebula, National Book Award, PEN-Malamud, etc. Her recent publications include the novel Lavinia, an essay collection, Cheek by Jowl, and The Wild Girls. She lived in Portland, Oregon.

She was known for her treatment of gender (The Left Hand of Darkness, The Matter of Seggri), political systems (The Telling, The Dispossessed) and difference/otherness in any other form. Her interest in non-Western philosophies was reflected in works such as "Solitude" and The Telling but even more interesting are her imagined societies, often mixing traits extracted from her profound knowledge of anthropology acquired from growing up with her father, the famous anthropologist, Alfred Kroeber. The Hainish Cycle reflects the anthropologist's experience of immersing themselves in new strange cultures since most of their main characters and narrators (Le Guin favoured the first-person narration) are envoys from a humanitarian organization, the Ekumen, sent to investigate or ally themselves with the people of a different world and learn their ways.

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Community Reviews

Rating(4 / 5.0, 99 votes)
5 stars
36(36%)
4 stars
30(30%)
3 stars
33(33%)
2 stars
0(0%)
1 stars
0(0%)
99 reviews All reviews
Profile Image for Kimberly .
dudepersian
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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I truly adored these stories.

They not only enhanced the narratives we were already familiar with from Earthsea but also did not subtract anything from them. Instead, they enriched the enchanting world of Earthsea, leaving me with an insatiable longing for more (in a most wonderful way).

I had a particular affinity for "Dragonfly," "On the High Marshes," and "The Finder."

LeGuin possesses an extraordinary ability to engage you with these characters and stories within a remarkably short span of time. Moreover, she often manages to make you continue to ponder over them for a considerable period after you have finished reading. Her writing has a magical charm that draws you in and refuses to let go, making the experience of delving into the world of Earthsea an unforgettable one.

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DonKong
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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This is a book that you may not realize you need while reading the series. However, I firmly believe it is of utmost importance before delving into the next book, The Other Wind.

These are truly The Tales of Earthsea. In essence, this book is a compilation of several distinct stories set within this captivating world. One could argue that the author might have chosen to publish them separately as novellas. Nevertheless, despite their differences, they all seamlessly blend together to form a cohesive whole.

THE FINDER
This story details the origin of the School of Roke and why it was named the Isle of the Wise. It is fascinating to observe how different Earthsea was prior to the establishment of the school and the prevalence of magic. Back then, no one paid much attention to Equilibrium. Although it is a bit lengthy, it is interesting to note how the greed of men remains unchanged. Roke was once a place for both powerful men and women, and women were in charge. That was when they thrived. But then came the men who regarded women as impure and wicked.

DARKROSE AND DIAMOND
Would you choose love and music over magic? Perhaps, if deep in your heart you knew something was amiss. This story is short and sweet.

THE BONES OF THE EARTH
The tale of Ogion and his Master, including how they rescued Gont from the earthquake, is presented here. It is interesting to see that Ogion was not a very talkative person, even in those days. I appreciate how Dulse was taught by a woman.

ON THE HIGH MARSH
What occurs when power is misused? Can there be redemption? Is it right to control men, both body and soul?

DRAGONFLY
Even though Tehanu is a character in her own right, I have a hunch that Dragonfly was part of the inspiration for the anime Tehanu. This serves as a prequel to the next book. I am hopeful that the School of Roke can be set aright and that the Old Powers should not be so feared. Maybe one day, women's magic will no longer be considered wicked.

All in all, these stories are interesting, but perhaps together they are a bit on the long side. I am glad Ursula K Le Guin included them all in this book, as I have a tendency to read the novellas after the main novels. However, I did find some parts a bit tiresome, which is why I give it 4 out of 5 stars.
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SmallPeepee
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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Cuentos de Terramar is, for now, the book in the Terramar cycle that I have liked the most.

It has all the essence of the series with different stories that show the best prose of Le Guin. Stories that touch your soul, characters with a thousand nuances that remain engraved in your mind, and a world that still has many secrets to uncover.

It is also noticeable that these stories are from the late nineties because the pace is much more agile than the four previous novels.

I can't single out just one of the stories because I have liked them all very much, with nostalgic endings that speed up your heart.

There is not much more to say. Only En el otro viento is left for Terramar to end, but it is clear that it is a universe that will remain alive for a long time.

This collection of stories offers a rich and diverse exploration of the Terramar universe, filled with beautiful language and engaging narratives. Each story stands on its own while also contributing to the overall tapestry of the series.

Le Guin's talent for creating complex and believable characters shines through, as does her ability to build a world that feels both familiar and strange.

Cuentos de Terramar is a must-read for fans of the series and anyone who enjoys well-written science fiction or fantasy.
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Darryldarryl127
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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The first two books in the series were truly classics, captivating readers with their engaging plots and well-developed characters.

The third book, although a step down from the previous volumes, still managed to maintain a certain level of solidity.

However, the fourth book was a complete disappointment, being a hollow shadow of the original trilogy and extremely boring to read.

I had held slight hopes for this collection, thinking that perhaps it would redeem the series.

But alas, those hopes were quickly dashed as these stories turned out to be completely bland and uninteresting.

The characters were two-dimensional, lacking any real depth or personality.

It was truly a letdown and left me wondering what had happened to the once-great series.

Overall, I would not recommend this collection to anyone who was a fan of the original trilogy.
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MrOri
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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My Earthsea experience dates back a long time. In fact, it has been at least 10 years since I last read any of the books. Back then, I devoured the original trilogy with great enthusiasm. However, when I got to Tehanu, I was somewhat taken aback. I found the pace rather slow and told myself, "Newer Le Guin just isn't my thing."

But as it turns out, I was the one in the wrong, not Le Guin. Clearly, I simply needed to mature a little more. These 5 stories have shown me that sometimes, thoughtful, strong, and tree-like characters can be far more interesting than non-stop action. They are beautiful and significant, all thoughtfully delving into issues such as gender, different types of power (acquired through learning versus experience), and love.

I am now even convinced that my initial impressions of Tehanu need to be revised. Having completed these stories, I will go back and reread it. (Although that's not really the intended order. You know that, right? You should read the first trilogy first, followed by Tehanu, then Tales, and finally The Other Wind.)
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Cigarkirby
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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My yearly Earthsea book has once again become a source of great joy and inspiration for me.

Out of all the stories within this volume, two of them stood out as absolute perfection. The way the author weaves the tales, creating a world that is both magical and yet deeply rooted in human emotions, is truly remarkable.

I find myself always stunned by how an overwhelming sense of peace washes over me after reading these stories. It's as if I have been transported to a different realm, away from the chaos and stress of the real world.

The characters and their adventures in Earthsea teach me valuable lessons about courage, friendship, and the power of believing in oneself. Each time I pick up this book, I know I'm in for a treat, and I look forward to many more years of exploring the wonderful world of Earthsea.
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MusicSoul97
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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For some reason, this work has become the last one I will read from these writings. It no longer interests me as much as before. I used to be really engaged and fascinated by them. But now, something has changed. Maybe it's because I've explored similar themes too many times or perhaps my perspective has shifted. Whatever the reason, I find myself less drawn to these works. I still appreciate the effort and creativity that went into them, but they just don't have the same allure for me anymore.

I'm not sure what the future holds for my reading preferences. Maybe I'll discover new authors or genres that will reignite my passion for reading. Or perhaps I'll come back to these writings at a later time and see them in a different light. Only time will tell. For now, I'm ready to move on and explore other literary landscapes.

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judgerlight
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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Myeh x2



This simple phrase "Myeh x2" seems rather mysterious and perhaps a bit of an enigma. It could potentially convey a variety of emotions or meanings. Maybe it's a sign of indifference, a casual response to something that doesn't really matter. Or perhaps it's a hint of confusion, as if the person isn't quite sure how to react. It could also be a form of self-expression, a unique way for someone to communicate their thoughts or feelings. Without further context, it's difficult to determine the exact significance of "Myeh x2". But regardless of its meaning, it has a certain charm and intrigue that makes it stand out. It makes you wonder what the person who said it was really thinking or feeling. And that's the beauty of such a simple yet evocative phrase.
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