AJ Kerrigan reviewed A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K. Le Guin (The Earthsea Cycle, #1)
Review of 'A Wizard of Earthsea' on 'Goodreads'
5 stars
I have no idea how this book eluded me as a kid. Reading it feels like righting an old wrong though. It's a wonderful introduction to the world of Earthsea, and I imagine my child self would have been hooked.
Coming in as an adult who has loved many other Ursula Le Guin books, this also felt like part of an ongoing conversation. Her reflections in the afterword are thoughtful as always, particularly her mingled pride (in stealthily deploying non-white primary characters) and regret (for writing a man's world where women are secondary).
Social/meta-concerns aside, this is a beautiful world full of wonder and I want to spend more time there!
All power is one in source and end, I think. Years and distances, stars and candles, water and wind and wizardry, the craft in a man's hand and the wisdom in a tree's root: they all arise together. My …
I have no idea how this book eluded me as a kid. Reading it feels like righting an old wrong though. It's a wonderful introduction to the world of Earthsea, and I imagine my child self would have been hooked.
Coming in as an adult who has loved many other Ursula Le Guin books, this also felt like part of an ongoing conversation. Her reflections in the afterword are thoughtful as always, particularly her mingled pride (in stealthily deploying non-white primary characters) and regret (for writing a man's world where women are secondary).
Social/meta-concerns aside, this is a beautiful world full of wonder and I want to spend more time there!
All power is one in source and end, I think. Years and distances, stars and candles, water and wind and wizardry, the craft in a man's hand and the wisdom in a tree's root: they all arise together. My name, and yours, and the true name of the sun, or a spring of water, or an unborn child, all are syllables of the great word that is spoken by the shining of the stars. There is no other power. No other name.
