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
July 15,2025
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Some of this content was acceptable, while other parts were truly a torture to read. It was so boring that I found myself constantly skimming through the pages.

I had already made the decision to purchase this entire series, otherwise, there is no way I would have been able to finish reading it. As it stands now, there is just one more book left to go.

It's quite disappointing that some portions of the books in this series lack the necessary engagement to keep the reader fully immersed. I hope that the final book will offer something more exciting and captivating, so that my overall experience with the series can be improved.

Despite the drawbacks, I'm still determined to see it through to the end, if only to satisfy my curiosity and complete the collection. Let's hope for a better conclusion.
July 15,2025
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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.

July 15,2025
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Fundamentally, it is to know Terramar, and I think it is important to read the novels first. This collection is Le Guin giving the best of herself.

Terramar is a fictional world created by Ursula K. Le Guin. Her novels set in this world explore various themes such as human nature, society, and morality.

By reading these novels, we can gain a deeper understanding of Terramar and its inhabitants. We can also appreciate Le Guin's unique writing style and her ability to create complex and engaging characters.

In addition, reading the novels first allows us to build a foundation for further exploration of Terramar. We can then explore other aspects of the world, such as its history, culture, and geography.

Overall, I believe that reading the novels first is an essential step in getting to know Terramar and experiencing the full richness of Le Guin's creation.
July 15,2025
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I think this book was the one that most strongly emphasized that women in the series should be accepted in society and that they have no difference from men.

Also, we are telling everyone our real names. Are we trusting people too much?

It is important to note that the acceptance of women in society is a crucial issue. In many cultures and societies, women have faced various forms of discrimination and inequality. This book may be trying to break down these barriers and promote gender equality.

However, when it comes to revealing our real names, it is a matter of personal choice and risk assessment. While trust is an important aspect of human relationships, we also need to be cautious and protect our personal information.

In conclusion, both the acceptance of women in society and the issue of trust are complex and require careful consideration. We should strive for a more equal and trusting world, but also be aware of the potential risks and take appropriate measures to protect ourselves.
July 15,2025
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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.

July 15,2025
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Yazısı burada : https://buyuluayrac.blogspot.com/2017...

This article provides a link to a specific blog post. The blog post titled "Yerdeniz Oykuleri Ursula K. Le Guin" seems to be about something related to Ursula K. Le Guin. It might discuss her works, such as the "Yerdeniz Oykuleri" (which could potentially mean "Earthsea Tales" or something similar).

Perhaps the article on the blog goes into detail about the stories, characters, or themes in Le Guin's Earthsea series. It could also analyze her writing style or the impact her works have had on the literary world.

By following the provided link, readers can explore the blog post and gain more in-depth knowledge about Ursula K. Le Guin and her "Yerdeniz Oykuleri". This could be of great interest to fans of her work, as well as those who are interested in fantasy literature or the works of influential authors.

Overall, the article serves as a gateway to a potentially interesting and informative blog post about Ursula K. Le Guin and her literary contributions.
July 15,2025
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The Finder **


The first story was the most boring of all five for me. The only interesting thing was the description of how Roke became an island of wizards, which filled in some gaps from previous stories.


Darkrose and Diamond ***


A bit more interesting than the first one. I liked the love story and the happy ending at the end, but the main male character was a bit of a wimp for me.


The Bones of the Earth ****


In this story, we get the background of the wizard Ogion who is already mentioned in the previous installments. I liked the "father"-"son" relationship the most in it, but it was a bit sad at the end for me.


On the High Marsh ***


It was nice to read about Ged again, even if it was briefly. I would have liked the story of the wizard of the Marsh to be developed a bit more, not just through Ged's storytelling.


Dragonfly *****


The best of all the stories in the collection. It continues the events from Tehanua. It deals with the differences between female and male magic and has an interesting and surprising ending. And now because of it, I can't wait to pick up the next installment.


At the end of the book, Ursula also added a detailed history of Earthsea with explanations about the peoples, magic, and languages. It was interesting and answered some of my questions, but it would have been much better if she had written it earlier. Now I could read all the installments from the beginning again to fill in some gaps and answer some questions that have been lingering in the air since the beginning of reading.


Overall, this collection was weaker than the previously read novels for me and only served as an explanation for some of the questions that had not been answered for me so far. Except for the last story.


Buddy Readathon with Zdravko 2024. – 4


Global goals: continuation of the series
July 15,2025
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The book itself was beautiful... What a translation I had, extremely soulful and captivating... May your hands not hurt, Mr. Esmaeiliyan :). But it's very strange that Ursula K. Le Guin is so unknown in Iran...

Ursula K. Le Guin is a highly regarded and influential author. Her works have explored various themes such as gender, society, and the human condition in a profound and thought-provoking way.

In many parts of the world, her books are widely read and studied. However, it seems that in Iran, her name and works are not as familiar as they should be.

This could be due to a variety of reasons, such as lack of proper translation and promotion, or different literary tastes and preferences.

Nevertheless, it is important to introduce and expose Iranian readers to the works of great international authors like Ursula K. Le Guin to expand their literary horizons and enhance their understanding of different cultures and ideas.
July 15,2025
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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!

July 15,2025
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UKL is truly one of my all-time favorite authors. Alongside Tolkien, she is among the very few whose fantasy works I hold dear, for they resonate with me on the deepest level, feeling incredibly real.

This particular book consists of five captivating stories set within the same world as her renowned Earthsea novels. Each and every one of these stories is a precious gem. They further enrich and expand that enchanting universe in the most interesting of ways, and are each delightful in their own unique right.

One of the stories takes place during the time when Ged is the Archmage. Another occurs after his era. Yet another harks back to long ago, revealing the origin of the school for wizards on Roke. All of them possess her trademark subtlety, sense of power, and perception of reality: depicting how life truly is and how it feels for different types and classes of people.

She has the voice of a poet, and her prose is filled with that lyrical quality. I firmly believe that all her books would be an absolute delight to read aloud. She speaks of stories as if they grow organically, rather than being deliberately crafted, and the naturalness and simple truths that her stories contain make you wholeheartedly believe it.

If you haven't yet delved into the Earthsea books, I highly recommend reading them all, and then proceeding to this wonderful collection. You won't be disappointed.
July 15,2025
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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.

July 15,2025
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Meeting new characters and reuniting with the old ones was really wonderful. The stories of a very wide imagination and a deep soul, the stories of Yerdeniz. No matter how different a world it has created; it is just as closely connected to the world we live in.

Reaching out to the roots of the forest; reaching out and touching the stars that come out one by one through the leaves when looking up; hearing the chirping of a sparrow, the response of a woodpecker to it; reaching the happiness of waiting there without feeling any dissatisfaction or panic, a world, Yerdeniz.

In one of the stories, it is said like this: "My words are nothing. Hear the leaves." I think after a while, the sound of the leaves turns into my own voice; when listening to nature, a person listens to himself the most and becomes aware of nature along with himself. I hope for the times when we can hear the sound of the leaves.
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