Rereading the Earthsea Quartet is like sipping fresh water from a babbling stream or stumbling upon a rock that fits snugly in the palm of your hand. These stories are profound yet presented in the most straightforward and uncomplicated manner. Everything feels just right, true, and real. You have the distinct impression that events are unfolding as they are meant to. There is a purpose to this world and to our existence within it. There is work that needs to be accomplished, and there are those who are willing to take it on. It's not an easy task: light and darkness intertwine. People err. Evil deeds are committed, and harm occurs, whether intentionally or not. But there will always be a glimmer of light. Wounds can be mended. The tombs can be fled. Friends will accompany you to the farthest shore, and you will return once more.

Call me “Always Late on the Bandwagon” because it took me an incredibly long time to realize that Earthsea was a book by my favorite sci-fi writer, and not just a terrible Sci-Fi Channel series (that Le Guin disavowed, by the way).

When that realization hit me, I immediately got myself a copy of the Earthsea Quartet. I cracked it open while bundled up in bed, with a cup of hot herbal tea in hand, and I just vanished into this beautifully crafted world.

The big tome became my bedtime reading treat for the next couple of months, and I confess I went to bed early a few times just to have an excuse to read more of it.

“A Wizard of Earthsea” is the coming-of-age tale of Ged, also known as Sparrowhawk. It chronicles his childhood, education, and training in the arts of wizardry and his early adventures.

His power is discovered when he is a small child living on a small island in the north of Earthsea. His aunt, the village witch, teaches him a few basic skills, which prove useful when his island is invaded by raiders.

He is eventually sent for an apprenticeship with a local wizard and then goes on to complete his training at the magic school on the island of Roke.

In this book, Ged accidentally summons a menacing shadow that he must face and defeat. This is an interesting metaphor on the theme of balance that Le Guin fans will be familiar with.

“The Tombs of Atuan” starts off much darker than the first book, which took me by surprise in a good way.

It follows the upbringing of Arha, a young girl who is the reincarnation of the priestess of the Nameless Ones. She guards the Labyrinth and the treasure of the Tombs in Atuan, a remote land at the edge of Earthsea.

Her life is austere and oppressive, surrounded by priestesses and eunuchs and raised to be very suspicious of outsiders.

She decides to explore the underground structure she is responsible for and one night, happens upon an intruder: a mage named Sparrowhawk.

By her people’s law, a man who enters the maze should die, but Arha cannot bring herself to let him starve to death.

I found this installment to be an interesting reflection on making up your own mind and being your own self.

“The Farthest Shore” takes place much later. Sparrowhawk is now Archmage and has gone on countless adventures.

The son of a prince comes to see him on Roke because his people have noticed that in their regions, magic seems to be dying.

They believe Sparrowhawk can figure out what is going on and fix it. Through this travel, they will meet people who have never lived on land, converse with mighty dragons, and visit the land from which none ever come back.

This is basically an Earthsea-apocalypse tale.

“Tehanu” reunites us with Arha - now Tenar - many years after her escape from Atuan.

She is now the widow of a farmer and takes in a little girl who was being attacked and burned by a group of men on a Gontish road.

She goes to visit Ogion, Ged's first teacher, but the visit does not end as she had planned, and she is reunited with an old friend.

Of the four stories, this one is the least “eventful” but the most subtle and nuanced.

There is a strong feminist commentary in this story, but Le Guin is not being didactic.

She shows us what Tenar goes through, the way power is taken away from her, then given back, then taken away again, and how she reacts to this ebb and flow.

It ends on an open and hopeful note that makes me want to check out more “Earthsea” books!

The prose style has a soothing, comforting rhythm that brought me back to the feeling of story time with my grandfather.

One thing I love about Le Guin’s work is her anthropologist’s eye for creating entire worlds and cultures in a coherent and believable manner.

The world-building in Earthsea is just as strong as anything else she wrote, and while it solidly falls into the high fantasy category, it doesn’t feel lofty or heavy-handed.

There isn’t much exposition, but no Le Guin book I’ve read gave me much backstory, and it never lessened my reading pleasure.

In fact, her minimalism is lovely, elegant, and refreshing, while still giving readers many layers to peel and discover!

Her characters grow and evolve completely naturally, and it’s a pleasure to follow them and watch them evolve.

Le Guin was preaching to the choir with me, but I loved the Taoist aspect of her magic system, which emphasizes balance.

Every action has consequences, and that understanding is the keystone of the wizardry of Earthsea.

The importance of being true to yourself is stressed many times in these stories, as well as the importance of doing the right thing when the occasion arises.

The power of True Names is a classic trope of fantasy and is used so well to drive the story.

My only complaint is that her endings always feel a bit easy. The characters go through all these trials and tribulations, and then things just sort of resolve themselves.

I suppose for younger readerships, that’s fine, but I wanted a bit more to chew on as each story concluded.

The subversion of certain stereotypes and the open diversity within her cast of characters is also a breath of fresh air.

The “Tombs of Athuan” was especially interesting, with its unusual choice of topic regarding gender relations and the coming of age of Arha.

It captures something true about the internalized isolation of women in some societies and the development that is more or less imposed on them.

By the end of the tale, Arha sees herself more clearly and gains an understanding of her value, as does Arhen.

It was interesting to realize that many famous works these books inspired, such as “Harry Potter”, Rothfuss’ “Kingkiller Chronicle”, and “How to Train Your Dragon”, owe a lot to Le Guin’s creation.

This was an amazing collection of 4 books! Each book had its own unique charm and story to tell.

The first book was a thrilling adventure that took the reader on a wild ride through uncharted territories. It was filled with action, excitement, and unexpected twists and turns.

The second book was a heartwarming romance that tugged at the reader's heartstrings. The characters were well-developed and the story was beautifully written, making it a joy to read.

The third book was a thought-provoking mystery that kept the reader guessing until the very end. The plot was complex and the clues were cleverly hidden, making it a challenging and rewarding read.

The fourth book was a hilarious comedy that had the reader laughing out loud from start to finish. The humor was witty and the characters were endearing, making it a great way to unwind and relax.

Together, these 4 books made for an unforgettable reading experience. They were all well-written, engaging, and entertaining, and I would highly recommend them to anyone looking for a good read.

It feels as if I have led a whole life while reading this book. Each one after the other was a bit too enthusiastic. The story within the pages seems to have transported me to different worlds and experiences. I found myself completely immersed in it, unable to put it down. The characters came alive in my mind, and their emotions and struggles became my own.

As I turned each page, I was filled with anticipation, eager to discover what would happen next. The author's writing style was engaging and captivating, making it easy for me to lose track of time. It was as if I was on a journey with the characters, sharing in their joys and sorrows.

Reading this book has been a truly enriching experience. It has opened my eyes to new perspectives and has made me think about life in a different way. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a good read that will leave them feeling inspired and fulfilled.

And so draws to the end another book that I have been longing to read for an extremely long time. I must confess that I am both deeply impressed and mentally exhausted.

This book, at least for me, is the convergence of numerous elements. It is a fantasy that was originally intended as a children's tale, yet it contains many mature ideas and concepts that were truly ahead of their era. The first book was written in the 1960s.

The book vividly描绘s a world completely different from ours, ranging from the concept of a world with hundreds, if not thousands, of islands to the presence of dragons and the use of magic. At the same time, it can also focus on ideas that are still relevant today.

However, this is not just one book but actually a collection of the first four books. (In fact, there are another two, but they were written much later and are regarded by some as additions to the world rather than a continuation of the series, something I need to explore further.)

Even so, there is a continuity throughout the four books that gives the impression of a more extensive world history than just the tale itself. For me, at least, this gives the stories a timeless quality, almost as if I am reading a historical biography of a long-lost age.

These books are classics, and rightfully so. I would say that at times they were slow to get into, but once started, they were equally difficult to put down. I can understand why they are treated as classics and deserve that status.

My three-star rating is based on the book as a whole first of all.

I truly relished the first book, "A Wizard Of Earthsea," and would categorize it as a five-star book. It was an absolute delight to read. However, it was the only one among the series that I truly adored. The other three books, in contrast, felt rather minor and somewhat insignificant when compared to the first one.

In the first book, the story was captivating, the characters were vividly drawn, and especially the world was so well-crafted and brought to life. It set a very high standard that the other three books simply couldn't measure up to. This was a pity as I had high expectations and was hoping for something more substantial from them, but unfortunately, my hopes were not fully realized.

This review will, most likely, be updated once I have given it some deeper thought and consideration. I may discover new aspects or nuances that could potentially change my rating. But for now, based on my initial reading experience, I have assigned a three-star rating to the entire series.

After each book I read, I was like "this one is my favorite".

All four books are truly very good.

The first time I attempted to read them, I initially thought that it had a somewhat slow start.

However, once you immerse yourself in it, the story unfolds beautifully.

I really like the fact that they are a little open-ended.

This gives the reader a great deal to think about and ponder.

It allows for individual interpretations and encourages further exploration of the themes and ideas presented in the books.

The open-ended nature also makes the reading experience more engaging and thought-provoking.

Overall, these four books have left a lasting impression on me and I would highly recommend them to others.

One of my best reads of the year. I haven't finished the last story and that's why it took me months to mark it as "read" in the app. It's a classic of the genre that shatters the norms, especially when you know it was written starting from the 1960s.

It is an absolute must-read if you love the culture of fantasy, the culture of language, the weight of words (Babel can go and RHABILLER), and nature.

The character of Ged will remain etched in my mind.

This book offers a unique and captivating experience. The stories are filled with rich imagery and profound themes. The language used is both beautiful and powerful, drawing the reader into a world of magic and wonder.

Whether you're a fan of fantasy or simply looking for a great read, this book is sure to satisfy. It challenges your imagination and makes you think about the world in a different way.

I highly recommend it to anyone who loves literature and wants to explore new and exciting worlds.

I have a deep affection for these books. The way they manage to draw you into a rich and immersive world is truly remarkable. At the same time, they stay focused on each thought-provoking plot, without overcomplicating things. This is a rare quality nowadays.

It is difficult to single out favorites among the four books. However, The Tombs of Atuan and Tehanu are probably the ones that stand out the most.

Without revealing any spoilers, the last book, Tehanu, does deviate from the others. It actually explores a plot theme that I usually dislike very much. But in this case, it is hard to be critical because it beautifully opens up other themes. The author's skill in handling these complex themes and making them engaging is truly impressive. Overall, these books are a must-read for anyone who loves a good story.

What do people typically do after finishing Earthsea? Do they simply pick up another book? Well, for me, it feels as if I never need to read anything else ever again. This has truly been a religious experience.

I don't know what else to say. It was perfect. It was incredible. It was a masterclass in every aspect of writing - how to plot, how to build characters, how to develop a unique voice, and how to create meaningful relationships.

If I were sent to a desert island and told that I could only take one thing to read, obviously, I would take my girlfriend's writing. But Earthsea would be right next on the shortlist.

I am completely in love with Ged, the main character. His journey, his growth, his flaws, and his strengths have all captured my heart. I can't wait to explore more of his world and see what other adventures await him.

This book has truly touched my soul and I will cherish it forever.

An extraordinary collection that truly rewards repeat readings.

There are moments when a single line of dialogue holds such power within the context of the story that it has the ability to move me to tears. For instance, "Master, I go hunting." These lines of prose are so concise, yet so breathtaking, that I find myself compelled to repeat them to anyone who happens to be in the vicinity.

"I see you go about with her like she was any child, and I think, 'what's the strength of that woman...to hold a fire by the hand, to spin thread with the whirlwind?'"

If there is any room to be astonished by something other than the remarkable writing, I must mention the richly textured world that Le Guin has created with as few words as I have ever witnessed. The wisdom that is interlaced through every story is truly remarkable.

I love Tehanu - her voice, her resilience, and the way she perceives the evil sorcerer as "a forked and writhing darkness." I love Lebannen - his courtly manners, his trust, and his willingness to suffer in order to save the one he loves. I love Tenar - her vulnerability, her courage, and her fierceness as she traverses the Labyrinth or laughs at the coming of the Eldest. I love Ged - his humility, his failings, his power and gentleness, and his willingness to confront the wrongs he has committed. But above all, I love Ursula more. ;)

These are one of the immortal stories and I can't believe I read them for the first time in my twenties. It's truly astonishing. I wish I could compare my experience with the books from when I was a kid.

The way she builds the world, the character, the magic - it's all so captivating. I can definitely see where Neil Gaiman went to writing school ❤️. His talent shines through every page.

The first three books were simply great. They had me hooked from start to finish. And the feminist manifesto at the end was even better. It added a whole new layer of depth and meaning to the story.

Next time I have to leave notes when I finish each of the books. Because seriously, I don't remember all the details and my thoughts from two years ago. There's just so much to take in.

There are so many good parts, but this one is just-

You will die. You will not live forever. Nor will any man or any thing. Nothing is immortal. But only to us is it given to know that we must die. And that is a great gift: The gift of selfhood. For we have only what we know we must lose, what we are willing to lose… That selfhood which is our torment, and our treasure, and our humanity, does not endure. It changes; it is gone, a wave on the sea. Would you have the sea grow still and the tides cease, to save one wave, to save yourself? Would you give up the craft of your hands, and the passion of your heart, and the light of sunrise and sunset, to buy safety for yourself - safety forever? This passage really makes you think about the meaning of life and what truly matters.