Tehanu by ursula k. le guin

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

This rather grim later installment did not fit in with the original Earthsea trilogy.

It seems that the tone and atmosphere of this particular addition were quite different from what the previous three books had established.

The original trilogy had a certain charm and magic that was perhaps lacking in this later work.

I might have liked it better had it been presented as a stand-alone with new characters.

Ursula K. Le Guin was a highly talented author, and she could have easily created a new and engaging story with different characters.

This would have allowed the readers to approach the book with a fresh perspective, without the expectations and associations that came with the Earthsea trilogy.

As it stands, this installment feels a bit out of place and may not have been as well-received as it could have been had it been presented differently.

However, it is important to note that everyone's reading preferences are different, and some readers may have still found value and enjoyment in this later installment.

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yjyn

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

The eighteen-year gap between The Farthest Shore and this book truly didn't bring any advantages to this series.

To be honest, it wasn't interesting at all. It began decently as we reconnect with Tenar/Aha and observe what she has been up to over the years. Eventually, we discover what happened to Ged after he vanished at the conclusion of the previous book, and those aspects were quite good.

However, then it gradually descended into feminist rants that continuously pounded the reader with how terrible it is to be a woman, how awful men are, and how dare Tenar get married. I have no objection to these themes when they are dealt with skillfully, but this feels as if the author was on her soapbox while penning it.

Moreover, the narrators changed. Although Jenny Sterlin does a fine job here, she isn't as captivating as Rob Inglis, and I frequently found my thoughts straying.

Overall, this installment was a disappointment and failed to live up to the expectations set by the previous books in the series.

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TheNextThing

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

"Tehanu" is a rather complex work, especially for a short review that I intend to follow below.

Twenty-five years have passed since the rescue of Tenar - the former priestess from "The Tombs of Atuan", who is also the main character in the novel. Therru is her adopted daughter - a child who has experienced enormous trauma, and the once-mage Ged also has a significant part to play.

Certainly, this is the most philosophical work of the first four for Earthsea. It is both beautiful and not quite.

Difficult to read, but beneath the relaxed action there is a lot of Ursula's perceptions after her fortieth year. There is a lot of wisdom written in it, but it is a fact that the work itself often suffers from a stalling wisdom.

The plot development is at a high level - it is not epic, but it is okay - and is probably the most contributing part to the class of "Tehanu". Still, I am of the opinion that the novel, the wisdom in it, and the plot would not have suffered if it had been about one-third shorter.

Before the end, I was convinced that I would rate it three stars - after reading, I lean towards 3.5.

P.S. I don't know if the hesitation is due to the very good ending, or to the relief that it's over.

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WhiteZet

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

This is really one of those classic books that are better the more times I read them and that with each break gain some new illumination.

A lot of greetings to the fourteen-year-old me who was complaining that Tehanu was too feminist.

I have now come to realize that the feminism presented in the book is not something to be shunned or criticized. It is a powerful and important aspect that adds depth and meaning to the story.

Tehanu's journey as a young girl dealing with the challenges and expectations placed upon her because of her gender is both relatable and inspiring.

Through her experiences, we see the strength and resilience that can come from within, even in the face of adversity.

This book has taught me to look beyond my initial impressions and to embrace the diverse perspectives and themes that it presents.

It has become a favorite of mine, and I know that I will continue to discover new things about it with each subsequent reading.

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WaRl0rd1507

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

Daleko najteza knjiga za citanje iz serijala Zemljomorja je ona koja ne obiluje sa previše fantastičnih događaja i mesta. Umesto toga, ona je više bazirana na problemima svakodnevnog života. Svakodnevica je puno nepravde i često teskih situacija koje spotiču svakoga od nas. Međutim, biti dosledan fundamentalnim vrednostima, biti moralan na svom putu i ne pokleknuti je nešto što mogu samo najhrabriji.

Ova knjiga nas upućuje u svet naših problema, ali i u svet onih vrednosti koje treba da zadržimo. Nudi nam mogućnost da se suočimo sa onim što je stvarno bitno u životu i da vidimo kako smo mi samostalno odlučujući o tome šta ćemo da uradimo.

Čitanje ove knjige može biti izazovno, ali je to izazov koji je vredan. Ona nas može naučiti da budemo hrabriji, da zadržimo svoje vrednosti i da nastavimo da hodamo svojim putem, bez obzira na sve probleme koje možemo da susretnemo.

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t0psecr3t

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

Of all the fantasy realms I’ve explored through reading, inhabiting them in my imagination, there is but one that I hold dearer than Earthsea, and that is Tolkien’s. This should give you an idea of how highly I think of this series.

Earthsea is a beautiful and enchanting place, as vividly described as ever in Tehanu. There is something truly special about the meticulous way Le Guin crafts her words, making this world seem so incredibly complete. She is a master of economy of language, never wasting a single word, and her novels are always concise yet deeply character-driven. Somehow, I have a more vivid and detailed picture of Earthsea than of most other fantasy realms.

Her stories are always in motion, constantly evolving and advancing.

This particular installment focuses on an older Sparrowhawk, a man who has lost his sense of self. After years of using his magic to save lives and perform great deeds, he finds himself dried up and spent, with nothing left to give. What is a mage without his magic? According to him, nothing at all. These are sad words to hear, especially considering that this character has always been a leader, an inspiration to those who were on the verge of giving up. As he attempts to overcome his depression by reconnecting with old friends, the story takes on a rather introspective tone.

He is sad, forlorn, and without hope, and the writing is filled with a sense of bleakness and despair. The only other writer of epic fantasy that I have found who can capture such raw human emotions so effectively within her books is Robin Hobb. I think that returning readers need to approach this one with an open mind and a willingness to embrace the change. This book is different from all the others in the series, yet it manages to bring them all together perfectly, leading to what Le Guin originally thought was the conclusion before she wrote The Other Wind.

“He was so intense, so serious, armoured in the formality of his rank and yet vulnerable in his honesty, the purity of his will. Her heart yearned to him. He thought he had learned pain, but he would learn it again and again, all his life, and forget none of it.”

Ursula Le Guin is one of my favorite fantasy writers. However, in comparison to some of the more well-known names in the genre, she is woefully under-read. Her works may not be as complex or as clever as Tolkien’s, and she did not invent her own language or an elaborate history, but her world has had a profound influence on a large part of modern fantasy. I can see many of her ideas echoed in video games (such as the Elder Scrolls universe) and in the works of later writers.

So, my point is that she is a writer that fantasy fans simply cannot afford to miss, especially those who are looking for traditional fantasy at its very best. This is the fourth book in the series, and it continues to be consistently good, while also bringing in new and interesting ideas with each new installment.

\n Earthsea Cycle\n
1. A Wizard of Earthsea - Four worthy stars
2. The Tombs of Atuan - A redeeming four stars
3. The Farthest Shore - A strong four stars
4. Tehanu - A sad four stars

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PlainCasual

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

Tehanu is my absolute favourite within the Earthsea quartett.

I must admit that I have yet to read the story collection and the last novel.

However, what truly irked me in the trilogy has now become the main topic here.

In Earthsea, it seems that only men have the power to shape the world, while women are confined to their assigned spaces and functions.

It was utterly satisfying to accompany Tenar as she begins to question these standards.

She courageously tries to find her way into a society that wasn't originally designed for her.

Her journey of self-discovery and defiance is both inspiring and thought-provoking.

It makes one wonder about the limitations placed on women in our own world and the importance of breaking free from such constraints.

Through Tenar's eyes, we see the possibility of a different kind of future, one where women can play an equal role in shaping the world.

This aspect of the story adds depth and complexity to the already rich and engaging Earthsea universe.

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Haruhi_chiyo

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

This still wasn't a favorite book for me in the Earthsea sequence. The reason is that it delves so deeply into the consequences of what happened to Ged in The Farthest Shore. I must admit that I'm not a huge fan of that particular plot. However, I have come to appreciate it more as an artistic choice and for the way it alters the world of Earthsea. So, perhaps it's not entirely unexpected that I'm not overly fond of this book either.

Even though, like The Tombs of Atuan, this installment brings the female point of view to the forefront and addresses some of the issues of sexism in the world. The brief glimpse of Lebanen as the young king is truly lovely, and the understanding that Tenar and Ged eventually reach is also quite nice. The exploration of the friendship between women and the way Tenar realizes that she has completely failed to raise the kind of man she would have liked for a son also works rather well.

But it takes away Ged's dignity. And that, more than the loss of his power, I dislike intensely. He has always been a proud character, and here, he can't fight, can't save himself. He depends on Therru and the dragons.

So, just as with The Farthest Shore, I understand the thematic importance. I just don't like it that much.

Originally posted here.

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Earthsea Cycle #4

Tehanu

ursula k. le guin

This edition

Ged

Tenar

Therru

Aunty Moss

More editions

About the author

ursula k. le guin

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