A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula Le Guin
by Sam Arnold-Boyd on Nov.20, 2008, under Battle of the Books 2008-2009, Fantasy, Sam's Reviews
Who would like this book? Readers who like fantasy, especially the books of J.R.R. Tolkien (and J. K. Rowling!). This book is straight-ahead fantasy and has no literal connection to our own world, but it does have a very deep psychological connection to each of its readers.
Why? Originally published in 1968, The Wizard of Earthsea is one of the original fantasy worlds that have inspired so many other fantasy writers. If you like fantasy, don’t miss this book, the first of a series of four. Le Guin has created Earthsea, a sprawling archipelago in which magic and wizardry is as normal as sailing amongst the islands. Sparrowhawk, the “use” name of the main character, shows great magical power from a young age. After saving his village from Kargish invaders, the mage Ogion comes to take Sparrowhawk as his apprentice, and to give him his true name, Ged. Ged becomes restless with Ogion’s silence and chooses to set out on his own to the school for wizards. Here, Ged’s pride gets the best of him, leading him to make a mistake with dreadful consequences. Le Guin narrates this plot with beautiful, formal prose that fits the serious tone of Ged’s struggles and weaves in powerful themes: names, balance, and the reality of our shadow selves.
The details: 82 p. 1968
