3.5 stars.
A prime example of why authors sometimes shouldn't return to their earlier work is evident here. The first four stories are reasonably good, but the fifth (and the appendix) are just pure facepalm material, filled with political nonsense. It's extremely hard to describe just how awkward the shoehorned feminism-equality themes are in "Dragonfly". I half-expected Le Guin to have one of the characters suddenly announce that Roke Island will now be renamed "Woke Island" and will only allow non-binary wizards or whatever.
What Le Guin has done with Tales from Earthsea is something like Tolkien publishing (in the 1960s) a new set of stories showing that, actually, there were also female Maiar, who were totally super-awesome girlboss wizards, but then Gandalf was a tool of the patriarchy who rejected women's ways of knowing, and... uh... there were also female hobbits who brought the Ring to Mordor, and they were very strong and independent, but somehow weren't addressed in the original three novels, because reasons.
Is there anything more tedious than present-day political concerns projected into art? Is anyone out there a fan of Stalinist-era Russian art? Or Neruda's "Ode to Lenin"? Or, like, everything by Shaw? It's difficult to think of something more diametrically opposed to great art than political soapboxing. Even if I agree with the author (e.g., Claudel's plays), it's just always terrible.
The most mind-boggling thing is that Le Guin had already returned to Earthsea two decades later (with the fourth novel in the series, Tehanu) and addressed many of these themes, yet in a far more subtle and interesting way. It makes one wonder why she felt the need to handle them so clumsily in this particular collection. Maybe it was a misstep in her otherwise remarkable career as an author.
Filling the gaps of the world is an arduous yet essential task. It requires us to look beyond the obvious and reach out to those areas that have been overlooked or neglected. Weaving threads of love, power, and gender onto the changing tapestry of time is no easy feat either. Love binds us together, gives us strength, and enables us to overcome obstacles. Power, when used wisely, can bring about positive change and progress. Gender, on the other hand, is a complex and multifaceted issue that affects every aspect of our lives. By understanding and respecting the different roles and experiences of men and women, we can create a more inclusive and equitable society.
As we continue to navigate the ever-changing landscape of the world, it is crucial that we remain vigilant and committed to filling the gaps and weaving the threads of love, power, and gender. We must work together to build a better future for ourselves and for generations to come. Let us not be afraid to take risks, make mistakes, and learn from our experiences. For it is only through these challenges that we can grow and evolve as individuals and as a society.
Wonderful tie-in stories lead us into the captivating world and rich story of Earthsea. The tales within this realm are like precious gems, each shining with its own unique light and charm. They draw us in, making us eager to explore every nook and cranny of this fantastical place. The characters are vividly brought to life, their struggles and triumphs tugging at our heartstrings. The world-building is so detailed and immersive that we can almost feel the magic in the air. It's a truly enchanting experience that leaves us longing for more.
Unfortunately, I don't have the opportunity to provide a more substantial review this week as I'm about to get off the app. But rest assured, next week, when I have more time and focus, I will delve deeper into the wonders of Earthsea and share my thoughts and impressions in greater detail. Stay tuned!Tales is a collection of five short stories that are loosely connected and set in Le Guin's Earthsea. These stories all revolve around the origins and the importance of the laws of magic that both limit and give power to Ged and other wizards.
The first story, "The Finder", is by far the best. It is a prequel that delves into the beginnings of the School of Roke. It follows a young sorcerer named Otter who has a talent for finding things. He gets caught by a crazy wizard who is after the power of quicksilver, but then manages to escape and join a resistance group of honest women called The Hand, which is based on the secluded island of Roke. Otter makes his way to Roke and turns the resistance movement into a school for magic, which helps to stop the cycles of piracy, small wars, and the abuse of magic that Earthsea has fallen into.
However, as it turns out, a lot of what Ged considers to be The Rules are rather arbitrary. Both men and women are able to use the magic of true names. While it may be a good idea for those who want to use their power for good to avoid emotional entanglements, celibacy is not actually necessary. And the Old Powers of the earth have knowledge that the wizards have simply dismissed.
The other stories in the collection are good for Le Guin, which means they are excellent for anyone else, but they don't really tell us anything more than what we already knew.