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Title: A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula Le Guin, Judi Dench, Michael Maloney, Emma Fielding, David Chilton, Nick Russell-Pavier ISBN: 0-563-38916-8 Publisher: Bbc Pubns Pub. Date: January, 1997 Format: Audio Cassette List Price(USD): $18.95 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.16 (277 reviews)
Rating: 5
Summary: Highlight of fantasy genre
Comment: Let me start off by saying that it's very sad people dislike this book just because they heard it's of the same caliber as Tolkien's work and it turned out it wasn't. Ursula Le-Guin is a good author but even good authors have a hard time when they're compared to Tolkien. Was Tchaikovsky a lousy composer just because he wasn't "as good as Beethoven"? (whatever that means) Was Lev Landau stupid just because he wasn't "as smart as" Einstein? Mind you, Le-Guin's world lacks the depth of Tolkien's, but whatever she lacks in completeness she makes up for in compelling plot and characters. Ok, so much for my penny philosophy.
I've read the Earthsea novels when I was a kid and have re-read them later on as an adult, and can say that, while I have no special affection for the fantasy genre, these books still stand out as being special. Le-Guin's choice of plot and characters makes this book very unique - instead of grand wizards and epic battles, she chooses a "real life" wizard and tells his story. Instead of the usual "end-of-the-world" theme she chooses his personal battle against a shadow that haunts him - due to his own actions. This book will never become a Hollywood production (thank heavens!), simply because there isn't enough eye-candy in it. That's one of the things I like about it. I am also very fond of Le-Guin's writing style, but that's a more personal choice.
If you feel fantasy books are all about knights in armor and robed wizards and flying dragons speaking Shakespearean English and going around saving the world (or destroying it), give this book a try, it might surprise you (for the better, I hope ... ).
Rating: 5
Summary: The original school of magic.
Comment: I'm writing this review because JK Rowling's books about the Hogwarts School of Magic reminded me of this, one of the few perfect novels I've ever read.
It's not a light-hearted fairy tale, though it is "high fantasy." It's the story of Ged, from his childhood discovery of his wonderful yet terrible magical powers; to his education at the School of Wizardry on Roke Knoll. There he makes a misstep; overstepping his powers, he accidentally lets loose an evil creature from a shadow world. His self-imposed exile, journeys, and eventual maturation and triumph are written with a deft flair for the beauty and wonder of magic; yet Ms. LeGuin is even more masterful in depicting Ged's character: the young high achiever who must finally make his peace with his inner demons.
As a child, I loved it for the idea of a school of magic. I grew older, reread it during a dark teenage time, and cried when Ged finally confronted his inner shadow creature. Later, studying anatomy in medical school, I recalled Ged's long days in the Namer's high tower, learning the true names of things; and bent cheerfully to my task.
It still bears re-reading to this day. Readers who enjoy Tolkien, JK Rowling, or Alice Miller's "Drama of the Gifted Child" ought particularly to read it; and readers who didn't like "The Left Hand of Darkness" or "The Dispossessed" should give Ms. LeGuin another try, in this, her finest work. . It is one of my favorite novels and I recommend it to you wholeheartedly.
Rating: 4
Summary: Alex from Richview Middle School
Comment: The story begins with a kid called sparrowhawk, but his real name is ged. He discovers that he is a wizard, so Ged decides to enroll in a school called school for wizards. the school teaches students about illusions and shadows. when Ged arrives at school on the first day, he meets two boys, Jack and Vetch. But jack and vetch become lords. then Ged goes on a mission to find the head wizard. he finds the island of roke and finds the headmaster. then he leads the headmaster back to school. now ged is considered a hero.
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Title: The Tombs of Atuan : The Earthsea Cycle by Ursula K. LeGuin ISBN: 0689845367 Publisher: Simon Pulse Pub. Date: 01 September, 2001 List Price(USD): $6.99 |
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Title: The Farthest Shore : The Earthsea Cycle by Ursula K. Le Guin ISBN: 0689845340 Publisher: Simon Pulse Pub. Date: 01 September, 2001 List Price(USD): $6.99 |
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Title: Tehanu : The Earthsea Cycle by Ursula K. Le Guin ISBN: 0689845332 Publisher: Simon Pulse Pub. Date: 01 September, 2001 List Price(USD): $6.99 |
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Title: Tales from Earthsea by Ursula K. Le Guin ISBN: 0441009328 Publisher: Ace Books Pub. Date: 07 May, 2002 List Price(USD): $13.95 |
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Title: The Other Wind by Ursula K. Le Guin ISBN: 044100993X Publisher: Ace Books Pub. Date: 07 January, 2003 List Price(USD): $13.95 |
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