Good story, bad prose.

When I was in high school, I had the opportunity to read an Ursula K. Le Guin story in my Science Fiction Literature class. At that time, I found it extremely difficult to read. I naively thought it was because I was young and relatively inexperienced as a reader. However, when I saw this book at a library book sale, something inside me compelled me to pick it up and give it another try.

To my surprise, I discovered that my initial difficulty had nothing to do with my age or inexperience. Le Guin's writing style is characterized by peculiar word order that often confuses the meaning, missing or extra commas, excessive adverbial phrases, and run-on sentences. Here are some examples from this very book.

"As evening came on serried lines of clouds rose from the west, borne on great winds from the sea, and burnt fiery before the sun, reddening it as it sank." This sentence, while perhaps intended to create a vivid image, is rather convoluted.

"The stillness of the earth was strange to them when they had beached Lookfar and walked after so long on solid ground." The way she worded this made me initially think they had walked a long time on solid ground, which is not the case. A simple addition of commas or a change in word order could have made the meaning much clearer.

"Though he spoke in the language of the Making, yet Arren understood, at last, as all who ear that invocation must understand, for it has power over all....... " This is not only a run-on sentence but also contains redundant words like "though" and "yet".

I truly liked the story itself. It had the potential to be very captivating if not for the cumbersome prose. I'm now in a dilemma as to whether I will read the rest of the series or any other Ursula K. Le Guin stories. Trying to decipher what she is saying slows me down and prevents me from fully immersing myself in the story. But then again, I am a fan of descriptive yet efficient prose.

If you have an opinion on this, please feel free to comment on this review. I would be delighted to hear your perspective.

Another wonderful adventure in the world of Earthsea has come to an end.

It is a rather philosophical book, where the most human aspects of this world are revealed.

The story takes the readers on a journey through a land filled with magic and mystery.

The characters face various challenges and make difficult decisions, which ultimately shape their lives and the fate of the world around them.

The author's vivid descriptions bring the world of Earthsea to life, making it easy for the readers to imagine themselves in this enchanting place.

Overall, this is a book that not only entertains but also makes the readers think about the deeper meaning of life and the choices we make.

It is a must-read for anyone who loves fantasy and philosophy.

En Uzak Sahil... After the first two books, this book starts with a much more serious beginning.

The effect of the darkness at the beginning, when it starts to wrap around me from the very first pages - like Arren - I am burning with great curiosity about how we will find the light that will eliminate this darkness. So, together with Arren and the Archmage Ged, we set off on a journey to solve this mystery.

First of all, I must say: "Ufkabakan" is really an excellent translation. For me, who loves the sea, this book is like a key that opens the door to the world where I find peace and happiness with my sail. I had been thinking for a long time about joining a club where I would take sailing lessons, and thanks to this book, this thought will now become a reality, it must become a reality. And if I have a sail in the future, I can easily say that its name will be "Ufkabakan". On the other hand, yes, while reading the book, questions like "What does this man want to do and where does he want to go by living in Ankara?" (unfortunately) continued to circulate in my mind, and also questions like "Why didn't I read this book on a sailboat, a steamer or a ship?" accompanied me on every page. Sometimes I wanted to see the sunrise on the sea so much...

While En Uzak Sahil allows me to build these dreams, on the other hand, it does not let me forget the effect of darkness at every stop we go through. Especially at the beginning of the book, I must say that I read it as if I was struggling to get out of a narrowing tunnel. Just as we chased the shadow in the first book, here there was also a situation of chasing the darkness or the death which is the main theme of the book. I can say that I really liked spending time with the children of the Open Sea and the idea of talking to dragons. They held the light when my soul needed it the most on this journey!

I really enjoyed reading until the end of the book and there were many parts that I really racked my brain while reading.

But whenever we passionately desire to obtain a power over life itself -infinite wealth, absolute security, immortality- then the desire turns into a craving. And if knowledge allies itself with that craving, then disaster comes. Then the balance of the world is shaken and destruction weighs heavy in the scales.

Since I always channeled the anger in me into the thirst for learning, when I read these sentences, I thought about where I could go and what disasters could happen to me if the love that blocked my way did not exist. On the other hand, with my human helplessness, I realized how the cravings that do not encounter this love disrupt the balance of the world.

Because the path on which our actions move powerfully and deeply is the path of discipline; the place without direction is the place where people's actions deteriorate and scatter and go to waste.

With these sentences, I found motivation about how important the discipline that I try to impose on my own life is. After finishing reading the pages, I reviewed my plans for my life and strengthened my determination.

You see, Arren, it is not only in dreams that we find ourselves confronted with something that has not yet happened within something long forgotten and say foolish things because we cannot see the meaning of that moment.

A situation often encountered in the examinations of books. A beautiful perspective on prejudices.

And just like the waves of the sea, this and many more sentences of the book carried me until the final journey. The only negative part I saw about the book is this final part. In fact, I have to say that I was very disappointed with this ending, so before writing this book review, I wandered around on the internet to find something that would calm this disappointment. I read the endings of the book in English again, I looked at the reviews of the book, and I looked at the thoughts about the book on the "Kayıp Rıhtım" forum.

A reference by a friend of mine to the sentence written at the back of the book really appealed to me, and that was Ursula K. Le Guin's comment about the book that "The book is weaker in its construction, more inconsistent and incomplete than the others because of this (because of the theme of death)". This comment poured a little water on the fire of my disappointment. Indeed, in fact, this book left a very deep mark on me about what the meaning of death is, just like life itself.

  

Death is the price of our lives and of all life.

In short, it shed light on a feeling that I may not be able to explain in the future.

As I read the other three books of the series, maybe the disappointment at the end of this book will gain meaning. Although each book I have read in this series so far has had certain effects on me, I still need more. Maybe when I finish the whole series, I can share the meaning of each book for me with you. Indeed, I can say that "En Uzak Sahil" is the most different book among them at the moment.

I wrote quite a long time... Well, let's see. Next is "Tehanu"!

A 2-star reading experience for me, though perhaps more of a 3-star book. I don't think it's bad as such, but it simply failed to resonate with me at all.

In fairness, I didn't really expect it to, as I didn't like any of the early Earthsea books that much. Tombs of Atuan is my clear favorite, but I still have some issues with it. I picked up this one partly to get to Tehanu and partly out of a general interest in reading more Le Guin.

I really did try. I even attempted to increase resonance by reading it while traveling around an archipelago! Sadly, while having only this book on hand while waiting for delayed ferries ensured I finished it, the similarity of setting didn't make up for the fact that almost nothing in the book appealed to me.

I don't like quest stories or all-male casts. As an adult, I rarely vibe with books aimed at younger readers. Also, I'm indifferent to dragons and dislike True Kings.

This book is a coming-of-age story of a True King, going on a quest with an older wizard to stop an evildoer (with cameo appearances by dragons). Objectively, I think it's a fine version of that, but it's disappointing and rather dull to me. Obviously, it has resonated with large numbers of people. It's well-written, in a mythic style rather than a high-tension one. It's a decent coming-of-age story, also in an older style.

There's also a lot of discussion of philosophy in it. Ged holds forth on two main issues. The first is the importance of natural balance and not acting unless one must, especially if one holds power. While there is some wisdom to this, Ged's idea of "must" defaults to "only to maintain the status quo."

The second issue is about people's yearning for immortality and how it's essentially wrong. To me, this didn't feel especially relevant as immortality isn't an option for us real humans. In the afterward, Le Guin indicates she also intended this as a critique of rampant consumerism, but I didn't get that from the text at all.

Back to the True King thing, I dislike this trope. The reasons the character is supposed to be ideal for kingship boil down to lineage and traits that are admirable in a regular person but have little to do with aptitude for governance.

There's also the added weirdness of romanticizing the creation of a centralized government for the archipelago. The islands seem to function fine without political unification. The only time anyone in the book talks about wanting a king is when evil is seeping over the land, but having a king wouldn't have prevented what happened.

In the end, it's an illustration of the 20th century maxim that science fiction lends itself to progressivism while fantasy is inherently conservative. Maybe that's why I prefer her sci fi. At any rate, that's one off the list. I hope Tehanu will be worth it and perhaps I should have just skipped to that one directly.

Life and death. These are two fundamental aspects of our existence that often evoke complex emotions and raise profound questions.

Should each be feared and avoided at all costs, or should they be embraced equally? The tale of Earthsea delves deep into this very question, presenting both the consequences and the positives associated with each approach.

I have a profound admiration for how Ursula K. Le Guin seamlessly combines "the big questions" of life into her captivating adventures. Her works truly take the reader on an extraordinary journey, not only through奇幻的 worlds but also into the depths of our own souls.

As we follow the characters in Earthsea, we are forced to confront our own beliefs and attitudes towards life and death. We witness the characters' struggles, their moments of fear and hesitation, as well as their acts of courage and acceptance.

Le Guin's exploration of these themes is both thought-provoking and enlightening, challenging us to reevaluate our own perspectives and consider the true meaning and value of life and death.

In conclusion, the tale of Earthsea offers a unique and profound exploration of life and death, inviting us to embrace the journey and discover the hidden wisdom within.

Each part of these stories still surprises me a great deal and generates a lot of excitement in me to such an extent that I am moved by everything. Le Guin writes beautifully.

Ursula K. Le Guin's works are truly captivating. Her stories have a unique charm that keeps pulling the reader in. With every turn of the page, there are new surprises and emotions waiting to be discovered. The way she crafts her characters and plots is masterful, making it impossible not to be fully engaged. Whether it's a science fiction adventure or a fantasy tale, Le Guin's writing always manages to touch the heart and stimulate the imagination.

Her words have the power to transport the reader to different worlds and make them feel as if they are a part of the story. It's no wonder that her works have been widely acclaimed and have influenced generations of writers. Le Guin's ability to create such vivid and emotional stories is a testament to her talent as a writer.

Books somehow get better in the last 50 pages, sister.

It's a strange phenomenon that often occurs. Maybe it's because the author saves the most exciting and crucial parts for the end. As you approach those final pages, the story starts to unfold in a more intense and engaging way. The plot thickens, the mysteries are revealed, and the characters reach their climaxes.

You find yourself completely immersed in the world of the book, unable to put it down. The anticipation builds with each turn of the page, and you can't wait to see how it all ends.

It's as if the author has been leading you on a journey, and now, in the last 50 pages, you're finally reaching the destination. And what a wonderful destination it is.

So, the next time you pick up a book, don't be discouraged if the beginning is a bit slow. Just wait until you reach those last 50 pages, and you might be in for a pleasant surprise.

In this third installment of the saga, the tone and rhythm of the first book are repeated, and we once again accompany Gavilán on his travels through Terramar in search of evil to defeat it.

However, on this occasion, Le Guin is at her best and shows the master she is. There is not a single journey of Gavilán that is superfluous, not a single conversation that is lacking, and not a single extra line. It is a complete book, from beginning to end, where each phrase is a life lesson, where we are told about selfishness, immortality, the choice we have between doing the right but complicated thing or the easy but wrong thing.

This is a book that I would like my daughters to read as soon as they are old enough because it will teach them more about life than many other things they may encounter. Because although it is a traditional fantasy: the struggle between good and evil, the hero's journey, and even the alternating dragon; it is a story that goes beyond what it narrates and its importance lies in the message it wants to convey.

It is a very good conclusion to the trilogy, but now I am eager to know why the author felt the need to continue writing about Terramar so many years later.

Another masterful tale from Le Guin awaits. It shares a similar questing root narrative with Ged's original story. However, this time, we witness him embark on the journey as a master rather than an apprentice. And we have Arren to offer a contrast.

Le Guin is truly masterful in what she omits. This omission adds power and poignancy to the narrative. No description could ever truly do justice to an ancient dragon language. So, the less we read of it, the better. Instead, Le Guin allows its majesty to unfold in our own minds.

Most impressive is Le Guin's wisdom in knowing that the master doesn't always have to have the answers. As Ged says, “No, I don't understand him, but he is worth listening to.” The humility of Ged is what makes him one of the greatest fantasy characters of all time. Modern fantasy characters are often brash and proud or have a fatal flaw that's as annoying as someone in a job interview claiming their greatest flaw is working too hard or being a perfectionist. Ged has already lived through his bold youth and paid a terrible price in the first book. Now, he represents the best of us. He is just strong enough, willing to make the biggest sacrifice of all, yet wise enough to know when it needs to be made.

I can't say anything about this novel that hasn't already been said. Nor can I do it better justice than by providing some of the best quotes. For example, “When I was young, I had to choose between the life of being and the life of doing. And I leapt at the latter like a trout to a fly. But each deed you do, each act, binds you to itself and to its consequences, and makes you act again and yet again. Then very seldom do you come upon a space, a time like this, between act and act, when you may stop and simply be. Or wonder who, after all, you are.”

Another profound quote is, “Do you see how an act is not, as young men think, like a rock that one picks up and throws, and it hits or misses, and that's the end of it. When that rock is lifted, the earth is lighter; the hand that bears it heavier. When it is thrown, the circuits of the stars respond, and where it strikes or falls, the universe is changed. On every act the balance of the whole depends. The winds and seas, the powers of water and earth and light, all that these do, and all that the beasts and green things do, is well done, and rightly done. All these act within the Equilibrium. From the hurricane and the great whale's sounding to the fall of a dry leaf and the gnat's flight, all they do is done within the balance of the whole."

Also, “But we, insofar as we have power over the world and over one another, we must learn to do what the leaf and the whale and the wind do of their own nature. We must learn to keep the balance. Having intelligence, we must not act in ignorance. Having choice, we must not act without responsibility.”

Finally, “And though I came to forget or regret all I have ever done, yet I would remember that once I saw the dragons aloft on the wind at sunset above the western isles; and I would be content.”

I began reading this to Miloš & Brontë at the commencement of March. However, somewhere around May, their interest waned.

I don't believe I can entirely fault Ursula K. LeGuin. In fact, I was a significant part of the problem. I grappled with this installment of The Earthsea Cycle. This struggle must have manifested in the way I read it aloud, making both the book and me rather tiresome to listen to. Never before have the kids fallen asleep so frequently while I was reading. Usually, I have to force myself to stop.

My issue is difficult to pinpoint. I wasn't a fan of Arren/Lebannen. He wasn't the typical, unbearable "apprentice" that drives me crazy. He was a prince who gave his loyalty to Ged out of his love for the Archmage, a love with distinct homosexual undertones, which would normally be a great plus for me. He was capable, steadfast, and flawed, all qualities I appreciate. But I simply couldn't and didn't like him. I found myself wishing he would go away. I've been struggling to figure out why, but I think writing all this has given me the answer. I didn't like him because he was a partner for Ged. I wanted Ged to be alone. I wanted a solitary Ged, searching Earthsea as Sparrowhawk on Lookfar without any interference or companionship. Sharing his journey with someone else from the start took something away from Ged and muddied my relationship with The Farthest Shore.

I recognize that Arren's presence added many things, both wonderful and not so wonderful, that LeGuin wanted and needed to add. But I wasn't anticipating those things, and I failed LeGuin by being unable to embrace them.

Yet I was indeed unable to embrace them. Even after Miloš & Brontë asked if we could stop reading, even after I continued reading alone (in a Ged-like manner), even after being captivated by the final search for Cob, the death of Orm Embar, and Ged's sacrifice, and even after recognizing the importance of Arren/Lebannen, I still couldn't bridge the emotional gap to embrace this book.

I must read it again when I'm in the right frame of mind. Perhaps then I'll be able to fully appreciate it. I'm sorry for failing you and your words, Ursula K. LeGuin. Your work truly deserves better.

And that’s book 3 of Earthsea reread!

Essentially, I got through the first four books of Earthsea over four years ago. The goal this time is to make my way through the entire cycle of six books. Thus far, I am enjoying myself a fair bit. I have rated all three of the first three books four stars. I don’t really have a lot more to say right now that I haven’t already said in my reviews for A Wizard of Earthsea and The Tombs of Atuan, so this’ll be short.

I like that there’s more worldbuilding. In each novel, we explore more of these islands and the cultures that are present. There are some really interesting societies here that I liked. They are all well realised and interesting, even if the world is not as deep as others I’ve read.

The characters here are solid. I found that there was a bit more depth in some scenes with the protagonist in this novel, Prince Arren, and his view on Sparrowhawk at times. His overall arc was really predictable, partly because I’ve seen it done a lot already from novels that were published after this. However, it didn’t change my reading experience whatsoever. It’s good seeing the influence of this series and the impact that it has had on fantasy as a whole, especially the wizarding school on Roke in particular.

Ursula K. Le Guin’s writing is also really good and enjoyable. It doesn’t really feel dated, which actually surprised me when I started my reread. Her prose is nice and easy to read, but it is also quite fantastic and is in no terms simplistic in her use of language.

Those are just some of my quick thoughts, but yeah, these books are really quite good. 8/10

I think this is my favourite Earthsea book so far.

Finishing the series is one of my goals for 2021, but I really like taking these books slow. One every couple of months or so.

There’s something truly captivating about the world and the magic system in Earthsea. And of course, Sparrow-hawk is an unforgettable character. The books are so easy to read, yet they possess a remarkable depth.

I absolutely love the idea that knowing names gives you power. It adds a unique and fascinating element to the story.

The author has crafted a world that is both enchanting and thought-provoking. With each page, I find myself drawn deeper into the adventures and mysteries of Earthsea.

I can't wait to continue my journey through this wonderful series and discover more of its hidden treasures.