"A Wizard of Earthsea" is a captivating and enchanting tale that takes readers on a magical journey through the mysterious world of Earthsea.

It introduces us to Ged, a young and talented wizard, as he discovers his powers and navigates the challenges and responsibilities that come with them.

"The Tombs of Atuan" is another remarkable installment in the series. It follows the story of Tenar, a young girl who is chosen to serve as the High Priestess in the ancient and阴森的 Tombs of Atuan.

Here, she encounters strange and powerful forces that test her courage and faith.

"The Farthest Shore" is the third book in the series and continues the adventures of Ged and his companions.

As they journey to the edge of the world, they face their greatest challenges yet and must make difficult choices that will determine the fate of Earthsea.

"Tehanu" is the final book in the series and offers a different perspective on the world of Earthsea.

It tells the story of Tehanu, a young woman who has suffered great loss and must find her own path in life.

Together, these four books form a rich and immersive fantasy series that has captivated readers for generations.

Earthsea: The First Four Books is a compilation of four remarkable books within the Earthsea cycle penned by Ursula K. Le Guin.

The series commences with A Wizard of Earthsea, published in 1968, which chronicles the maturation of a wizard named Ged as he grapples with his powers and uncovers the origin of the darkness that haunts him.

The second installment, The Tombs of Atuan, released in 1972, follows a girl named Tenar, the priestess of a sinister place. She encounters a grown Ged, and together they flee from the darkness.

The third book, The Farthest Shore, published in 1973, centers around a boy named Arren who joins Ged, now the mightiest wizard in Earthsea, to seek out the cause of the chaos and the loss of magical power plaguing the land.

The fourth and final book, Tehanu, published in 1990, delves into the lives of an older Tenar and her relationship with Ged, who is striving to come to terms with something that has occurred, as well as Tenar's ward Therru, a fire-scarred little girl with potentially great power.

Did I Like It? This was truly wonderful! Although I don't typically read a great deal of fantasy, I do have an interest in the genre. I picked up this series because I had heard that it was a classic of 20th-century fantasy and because David Mitchell, my favorite contemporary author, has stated in interviews that Ursula K. Le Guin's books are among his favorites and have served as an inspiration to him.

To begin with, these books boasted excellent world-building. Earthsea appeared so detailed and felt like a genuine place. The inclusion of a map at the front of the book was a nice touch, as it was likely necessary to consult in order to truly understand the locations being described, and I adored that. I became completely immersed in the world of Earthsea.

Secondly, the characters were outstanding! I appreciated that Ged remained a central character throughout the series, and that the books mostly focused on him, even though only the first book was told from his perspective. I also loved Tenar and enjoyed getting both her younger and older perspectives. By the end, I had become deeply attached to the characters and their stories.

A Wizard of Earthsea was an excellent start to the series. It was a five-star read for me. Witnessing Ged's beginnings was fascinating, and I adored the ending of the novel. Ursula K. Le Guin was highly philosophical in these books, and I thought that was really cool. The way the book concluded and the moral it imparted were both surprising and profound. I truly felt that I had gained something significant from that first book.

The Tombs of Atuan I also enjoyed. It was different from the first novel and more of a four-star read for me. I didn't feel that it had the same philosophical complexity as the first book, which I missed. However, it was nice to read about the beginning of Tenar's and Ged's relationship, which I later came to appreciate.

The Farthest Shore was also a four-star read for me and perhaps my least favorite of the four. It was still good, though. It too had some philosophical plotlines, which I liked. It just seemed to drag more than the other books.

Tehanu was a huge surprise for me! I didn't expect to love it as much as I did. It was definitely a five-star read. I liked that we got to revisit our favorite characters and that Tenar and Ged were older. I also liked that instead of the perspectives of those on the verge of adulthood, we got the perspective of a middle-aged woman. That was unusual and such a lovely surprise. This book also began to address some gender issues, which was great since the world of Earthsea has the fantasy trope of being more male-dominated. It was nice that she started to explore the power of women. This was the quietest of the novels, which I actually really liked. It also felt much more mature. It seemed as though this book was more targeted towards adults, perhaps those who had grown up with the first three and were now adults themselves at the time of Tehanu's publication.

Do I Recommend This? Yes! If you have any interest in fantasy, I think you would enjoy this series. If you only feel like reading one book, A Wizard of Earthsea has a lot to offer on its own. However, the Quartet is ultimately rewarding if you're interested. There is one other novel in the series and a short story collection, but I'm not sure if I'll be picking those up. I loved the series, but I'm not typically a series person, and I think I got enough out of these four. Although, I may be tempted to finish it off at some point!

Earthsea

Ursula K. Le Guin

Has anyone else delved into the enchanting Tales of Earthsea? What specific tales and characters have left the deepest impression on you?

The world of Earthsea is a captivating one, filled with wizards, mages, mysterious islands, and priestesses, all set against the backdrop of the vast expanse of the imagination. Le Guin is truly one of the finest fantasy writers I have ever encountered. This is perhaps because I wouldn't simply classify her work as mere fantasy. In these tales, she writes with a profound sense of truth, balance, and harmony that many fail to achieve in any genre.

In each of the tales, Le Guin masterfully crafts a remarkable diversity in protagonists, tempi, and structure. The main characters have internal worlds that intricately fold back into the whole. Sparrowhawk, the young mage who becomes a wizard, Tenar, the young priestess of the tombs, Arren the youthful companion, and Therru the half-burnt adopted strafe, all play crucial roles in each of the four tales as they traverse far and wide across the archipelago of the Earthsea Isles.

Among all the tales, I may have derived the greatest enjoyment from the quest in The Farthest Shore. Here, Sparrowhawk and Arren embark on a journey to uncover the cause of the loss of magic in Earthsea and restore the knowledge of the true names.

A personal highlight for me was the discovery of the Children of the Open Sea. There, on rafts adrift in the farthest reaches of the horizon, they drift, the tides providing them with food and fortune as they dance the Long Dance. This embodies the truth that Sparrowhawk reveals to Arren: "There is no safety. There is no end. The word must be heard in silence. There must be darkness to see the stars. The dance is always danced above the hollow place, above the terrible abyss."

This truth adds a layer of depth and mystery to the already enchanting world of Earthsea.

I finally finished this.

I was kind of reading it for the LeGuinlong and I have been doing one book a month or so.

Although this should be a review for the whole series, I want to talk about Tehanu because I loved it so much. I think it was a great conclusion to this part of the series and also a wonderful exploration of feminism.

I adored the relationship between Ged and Tenar and the way the whole book developed. It was quite remarkable that Le Guin was able to write about feminism in the 1990s and have it accepted by the publisher. She even mentions periods in this book, which really surprised me.

It's strange for me because the series has been a slow read for me. I didn't understand Wizard Of Earthsea initially and didn't love the plot that much. I thought there was a lot of info-dumping.

I think the books definitely seem longer than they actually are, especially the first one. But as the series progresses, I did enjoy them more. Sometimes some plot points went over my head, but the world and the characters kept me engaged.

I think that because I was fully invested in the last book, it all came together beautifully. I can't wait to read the last two books. (At one point, I never thought I would say that, but here we are!) Also, if you're having trouble getting through them, I highly recommend the audiobooks as they are definitely worth the listen!

A Wizard of Earthsea ★★★★☆

The Tombs of Atuan ★★★★★

The Farthest Shore ★★★☆☆

Tehanu ★★★★★.5

I'm truly overjoyed to have finally delved into the works of Le Guin. The Earthsea Quartet served as the ideal introduction to her exquisitely beautiful prose. Each book in the quartet has its own unique charm.

Tehanu, in particular, stands out. Although it is somewhat different from the others, it has become perhaps my absolute favorite. This is mainly because I adored following Tenar's story in The Tombs of Atuan. The character development and the depth of the emotions portrayed in these books are truly remarkable.

The final books in the series, Tales from Earthsea and The Other Wind, along with The Left Hand of Darkness and The Dispossessed, are all sitting on my shelf, patiently waiting for me to explore them. I can't contain my excitement as I look forward to uncovering more of her wonderful and captivating work. I'm certain that each new book will be yet another journey into a world filled with magic, adventure, and profound insights.

I can definitely see why this series is a classic of fantasy.

Even though I didn't always find myself fully engaged throughout the entire reading process, there were still many aspects that made it truly remarkable.

The series has its fair share of slow moments, but I think that's part of its unique beauty.

Given that this consists of four books, here's a quick breakdown of my ratings.

"A Wizard of Earthsea" earns 3 stars. It sets the foundation for the series but didn't quite grip me as tightly as some of the others.

"The Tombs of Atuan" gets 4 stars. It had a more captivating storyline and introduced some interesting characters and concepts.

"The Farthest Shore" is a clear 5-star book. It was thrilling, had a great sense of adventure, and really made me invested in the characters' fates.

Finally, "Tehanu" also receives 4 stars. It offered a different perspective and added depth to the overall narrative.

Overall, despite the slow moments, this series is a must-read for any fantasy lover.

I'm filled with excitement as I embark on this journey! Years ago, in Hungarian, I read only the second book in the series, The Tombs of Atuan, and it was one of my favorites during my成长岁月. I can't wait to explore the entire world of Earthsea. (Yes, I'm aware there's a fifth book.)

A Wizard of Earthsea was a truly lovely experience to immerse myself in. It felt more like a myth than a typical fantasy story. I adored all the worldbuilding details, the map, and the traveling aspect. Discovering the Archipelago with Ged was a delight. Although a lot of the lore was somewhat scattered, it was still enjoyable to learn about the magic of this world. I have a feeling that some of it might be further detailed later. In any case, Ged's journey was interesting in its own right, not overly complex but still managed to touch me at times. The mood was awesome, the descriptions were paced well and didn't overwhelm, and I really loved the outcome of Ged's fight with his Shadow at the end. It was just great.

The Tombs of Atuan is a book I love in every aspect. I love its darkness, the lore, and especially Tenar!! I also love Sparrowhawk. It was a cornerstone of my early development, and I'm now realizing just how much of an impact it had on me back then. After all these years, I still enjoyed it immensely. The despair, the religious trauma, the doubt, the friendship, the trust, and the bittersweet ending were all amazing. That map with the winding tunnels of the Labyrinth is one of my all-time favorite things. How many times I imagined myself walking through those可怕的 passages with Tenar! Ahh. Truly, all my love goes to this book.

The Farthest Shore was very sad, so much so that it made me cry several times, but I loved it deeply. It was another traveling quest for (now) Archmage Ged and Arren, a princeling from Enlad. Magic has become strange in Earthsea, disappearing. There is a hole in the world, and the light is leaking out through it, and these two are fated to find it and somehow fix it. It's a dark fate that they both endure. I loved the places we saw with them and how Arren's perception of the world changed throughout. The central question or problem of mortality, life, and the meaning of things is a painful one, and I really felt it. It gets symbolic in many places, and I think there's room for different interpretations of the journeys in this book. But at the end of it all, it was a satisfying read, and I enjoyed it more than I expected. (I thought it was going to be hard to top Tombs! :D)

Tehanu is a completely different foray into the world of Earthsea compared to what came before. For one thing, the scale is small again, like in Tombs: we're on Gont with Tenar the whole time. For another, the way we look at the world, magic, and its complications and problems is both excruciating and beautiful this time. Experiencing a little bit of Tenar's life as a grown-up past-priestess and past-Eaten One, seeing how, as a woman, she is trying to find her place, role, and meaning in the world, is at times very, very subtle but also devastating. It very much gives off the vibe of "the fantastical world is becoming mundane because we're growing up," which, needless to say, hurts. I need to think more about this book and perhaps read it again and again. But fundamentally, I loved how Le Guin handled this, the re-interpretation of her own world, the passage of time in the life of her heroes, the symbolism, and the very real implications of her magic system. There's so much in here, even though not a lot actually happens in the book. Still, by the end, we witness a tense, harrowing finale that leaves us with a mix of sadness and joy in our hearts.

I don't know; it's very difficult for me to express what I feel. I just want to have a long, long conversation with this author about what she was thinking when she wrote this book. I loved loved loved the discussion about women, their role, their "curse," their "magic" in the book. There's still so much that could be said. I loved Tenar; I can't stop loving her, and I loved that she was reunited with Ged, finally, even though it was bittersweet and complicated. This book is very adult, I think, much more so than the ones before. And yes, it's not perfect; it's still very much a product of its time. But one can feel the thought that was put into it, to start discussions and new thoughts within the framework of this fantastical world that can be both so interesting and painful. It's hard not to view it through that lens, that it's a sort of manifesto, maybe, or a commentary about us, society, traditions, roles, growing up, dealing with life. But at the same time, it's also a wonderful story about wounded, imperfect people who live in a vast, mysterious world and do their best and worst. And through the story of Therru, it's all cruelly real, making us face small yet still huge, human problems.

I know there's one more book after this, as well as short stories, and I will definitely get to them at some point. I'm really happy that I finally experienced these novels, and I had an amazing time with them.

A Fantasy Classic for All the Right Reasons

A fantasy classic stands out for numerous compelling reasons. Firstly, the original writing is a major draw. It weaves a world that is both unique and captivating, pulling readers in and making them reluctant to leave. The characters are equally remarkable. They are well-developed, with distinct personalities and arcs that keep the audience engaged from start to finish.

However, what truly sets this fantasy classic apart is the values that permeate the whole. Tolerance is a key theme, teaching readers to accept and respect differences. Kindness is also emphasized, showing the power of good deeds and compassion. Equality is another important value, highlighting the importance of treating everyone fairly, regardless of their background or status.

These values not only make the story more meaningful but also have a positive impact on the readers. They inspire us to be better people and to create a more inclusive and harmonious world. In conclusion, this fantasy classic is a must-read for anyone who loves great writing, engaging characters, and important values.

4.75 stars.

This rating indicates a high level of satisfaction or quality. It shows that the subject matter under consideration has received a very positive evaluation.

However, I need some time to process this information. There could be several reasons for this. Maybe I need to analyze the details further, or perhaps I need to gather more context.

Processing this rating requires careful thought and consideration. I want to ensure that I understand the implications and can make an informed decision or response.

Taking the time to process this will allow me to provide a more comprehensive and accurate assessment. It will also give me the opportunity to explore any potential areas for improvement or further discussion.

In conclusion, although the 4.75 stars is a great start, I need to invest some time in processing this to fully understand its significance and take appropriate action.

It has been approximately 35 years since I first delved into what was then Ursula Le Guin's Earthsea Trilogy. Ever since, the first three books have held a special place among my all-time favorites, and Le Guin has been counted as one of my beloved writers. Even though I purchased copies of the updated "quartet" - Tales from Earthsea and The Other Wind - when the last two were published in the early 2000s, I never got around to reading any of the later books until now.

A Wizard of Earthsea was much as I recalled from numerous re-readings. However, I was surprised by its brevity, the few words Le Guin used to evoke the world of Earthsea, and yet how vividly she managed to do so. My sensitivity to setting, rather than plot, and my visual imagination have both evolved significantly over the years since I first read Le Guin. Even though it has always been a favorite, I still found myself in awe of just how excellent it is.

The Tombs of Atuan was my favorite as a child. Although Ged, the wizard from the first book, makes a reappearance as a supporting character, the central figure is a young woman. I liked that it was a book about a girl. Set in a harsh desert landscape and the darkness of the Labyrinth beneath it, it is a bleaker book. Re-reading it, I was once again struck by how atmospheric the writing is. There were elements of the plot and nuances of character that I might not have fully understood as a child, but overall, it was still the book I adored at the age of eight.

On the other hand, I had very little memory of The Farthest Shore, apart from a sense that I hadn't liked it much. In fact, I had so little recollection that I felt as if I was reading some parts for the first time, while others were familiar. It is a beautiful, sad, and complicated book. It's not really a book for children, although in 1972 when it was first published, books with wizards and dragons were automatically assumed to be for kids. It is partly a coming-of-age story like the first two, but it is also, and perhaps more so, a story about aging and accepting the inevitability of death. It felt like a critique of modern consumerism in places, as well as a broader exploration of the societies and cultures of Earthsea. Le Guin's fantasy world is not the typical one heavily based on medieval Europe; most of the people of Earthsea are dark-skinned and seem to have their roots in a variety of non-European cultures, challenging the perception of those cultures as "primitive."

And then there is Tehanu, which didn't exist when I first read the trilogy. Tehanu is a much more inward-looking novel. While the others, beyond their personal narratives, were concerned with grand deeds, quests, and bringing peace to a troubled world, Tehanu focuses on the small things, domestic life, and the position of women in Earthsea. It seems as if Le Guin, looking back with the hindsight of a decade and a half of the women's movement, realized that for all Earthsea's racial diversity and non-violence, and its emphasis on balance, wholeness, and acceptance, she had created a world that operated along patriarchal lines. In this world, high magic belonged to men, there were kings and all the leaders were male, and women were wives, mothers, village witches only capable of minor charms, or priestesses serving the powers of darkness. Instead of shrugging and saying "that was a different time," she set out to deconstruct it, to re-examine Earthsea from a female and explicitly feminist perspective. And it is brilliant. The language is simpler, more everyday, but no less beautiful or carefully chosen than in the earlier books. I loved the way it gave me the opportunity to understand what it might be like to live within the society of Earthsea, rather than simply passing through as the wizards do. Even though it's a story of small things, it's still just as much a story of big ideas as the earlier books were. And a fantasy novel about a middle-aged woman is a rare delight and something to be cherished.

*I felt that Dorothy Dunnett did a similar thing with her portrayal of Timbuktu in Scales of Gold.

Can be beautiful and wise, and the world is meticulously crafted. It is as if every detail is carefully designed to create a masterpiece. The beauty that surrounds us is not just skin deep; it is a reflection of the wisdom that went into its creation.

However, in this vast and complex world, it is easy to get lost. With all the overlapping mythologies and different beliefs, it can be difficult to find our way. We may become confused and disoriented, not knowing which path to take.

But perhaps getting lost is a necessary part of the journey. It allows us to explore and discover new things about ourselves and the world around us. It is in these moments of confusion that we have the opportunity to learn and grow, to become even more beautiful and wise.

Brilliant! All four books are truly outstanding.

It took me a few chapters to get into the unique rhythm of Le Guin's writing. However, once I stepped into that enchanting world, I found myself completely captivated and reluctant to leave. Even when I wasn't reading, my mind was constantly thinking about it.

Each book is so distinct and special. I have a particular soft spot for the first one, and oh, Tehanu! It was like a thrilling roller coaster ride! The last few chapters had me on the edge of my seat, holding my breath in anticipation! What a remarkable world she has created.

I absolutely love how Le Guin's exploration and understanding of feminism became increasingly evident as the series progressed. There are so many profound lessons to be considered and such incisive social commentary, especially in Tehanu.

The characters in these books are simply wonderful! The character development is truly incredible. To go from initially disliking someone to eventually loving them... to understand someone who initially seemed callous. It's just amazing.

Now that I've finished these books, my heart already misses them deeply. I can't wait to revisit this magical world again in the future.