Title: A Wizard of Earthsea
Author: Ursula K. Le Guin
Series: Earthsea Cycle #1
Series: Earthsea Cycle #1
Pages: 183
Published: 1968
Publisher: Bantam Spectra
Believing this book was originally a Swedish classic I bought this book in Swedish. Only to find out that it is in fact an American fantasy classic. So despite going by my rule to not read translated books when it can be avoided, I read this in my mother tongue and I don’t think it mattered terribly.
Despite being a very short book (about 250 pages) it took me a while to read. Possibly because it was written in 1968 so the language is a little older, or because my Swedish is simply shit. It may also however, just be that the book is quite slow.
This first instalment about the Earth Sea follows the story of a young wizard on the quest to destroy the evil he has accidentally set free to the Earth Sea.
With no great amount of dialogue and plenty of descriptive parts the book was mostly overlooking the story of our protagonist Ged, and zooming in on some parts of his journey. This meant that although the book moved quickly through his life the pace was surprisingly still slow.
It was not the most exciting plot but somehow the writing kept me reading, and part of me wonders if that is not what makes a great author, to be able to keep someone’s attention despite the excitement of the story. It was not the most exhilerating reading experience, I did not much care for it, but I still recommend it. I am grateful that I read it and I will read the sequel. I believe it’s healthy to read an older book, or classic now and again. Fantasy or not. It opens your eyes for different types of writing and storytelling and from an author's point of view. I think it may be good research to read this book for a good understanding of language and narrative. It is an interesting read and a good example of good authorial voice.
Although slow, it is a light read and does not require much attention. There is world building but it is not a complicated world as such. If you look to widen your horizons in terms of genre and time period I recommend this and I think it was a healthy read for me to read between all the YA Fantasy, Sci-Fi and Dystopia. I got a chance to clear my head a bit from all the complex worlds and actions while still reading fantasy. And I am proud to say that I have opened my eyes to older books and authors and widened my reading horizons.
Overall, I think it’s safe to say that there’s no harm in reading older written texts. It’s a good practice to see where perhaps some of your favourite current fantasies have come from, borrowing from stories such as this back in the day. Much like old films having a slower pacing, the techniques change with the times and it’s refreshing to revisit the past from time to time. It just might not be to everyones taste.
For young upcoming writers however, I recommend giving it a read and letting your mind critically analyse the authors style to help identify and develop parts of your own.
Slow, meandering, yet sometimes charming and endearing.
Plot Summary:
Ged, the greatest sorcerer in all Earthsea, was called Sparrowhawk in his reckless youth.
Hungry for power and knowledge, Sparrowhawk tampered with long-held secrets and loosed a terrible shadow upon the world. This is the tale of his testing, how he mastered the mighty words of power, tamed an ancient dragon, and crossed death's threshold to restore the balance.
My Rating:
5/10
Other Books in the Series:
A Wizard of Earthsea (Earthsea Cycle #1)
The Tombs of Atuan (Earthsea Cycle #2)
The Farthest Shore (Earthsea Cycle #3)
Tehanu (Earthsea Cycle #4)
Tales from Earthsea (Earthsea Cycle #5)
The Other Wind (Earthsea Cycle #6)
The Daughter of Odren (Earthsea Cycle novella)
Other Books by Ursula K. Le Guin
The Day Before the Revolution (Hainish Cycle Prequel)
The Dispossessed (Hainish Cycle #1)
The Word for World is Forest (Hainish Cycle #2)
Rocannon's World (Hainish Cycle #3)
Planet of Exile (Hainish Cycle #4)
City of Illusions (Hainish Cycle #5)
The Left Hand of Darkness (Hainish Cycle #6)
Four Ways to Forgiveness (Hainish Cycle #7)
A Fisherman of the Inland Sea (Hainish Cycle #8)
The Telling (Hainish Cycle #9)
The Birthday of the World and Other Stories (Hainish Cycle #10)
Winter's King (Hainish Cycle Novella)
Gifts (Annals of the Western Shore #1)
Voices (Annals of the Western Shore #2)
Powers (Annals of the Western Shore #3)
Catwings (Catwings #1)
Catwings Return (Catwings #2)
Wonderful Alexander and the Catwings (Catwings #3)
Jane on Her Own (Catwings #3)
Dancing at the Edge of the World: Thoughts on Words, Women, Places (About Writing)
Steering the Craft: Exercises and Discussions on Story Writing for the Lone Navigator or the Mutinous Crew (About Writing)
The Wave in the Mind: Talks & Essays on the Writer, the Reader & the Imagination (About Writing)
Conversations with Ursula K. Le Guin (About Writing)
Publisher: Bantam Spectra
Believing this book was originally a Swedish classic I bought this book in Swedish. Only to find out that it is in fact an American fantasy classic. So despite going by my rule to not read translated books when it can be avoided, I read this in my mother tongue and I don’t think it mattered terribly.
Despite being a very short book (about 250 pages) it took me a while to read. Possibly because it was written in 1968 so the language is a little older, or because my Swedish is simply shit. It may also however, just be that the book is quite slow.
This first instalment about the Earth Sea follows the story of a young wizard on the quest to destroy the evil he has accidentally set free to the Earth Sea.
With no great amount of dialogue and plenty of descriptive parts the book was mostly overlooking the story of our protagonist Ged, and zooming in on some parts of his journey. This meant that although the book moved quickly through his life the pace was surprisingly still slow.
It was not the most exciting plot but somehow the writing kept me reading, and part of me wonders if that is not what makes a great author, to be able to keep someone’s attention despite the excitement of the story. It was not the most exhilerating reading experience, I did not much care for it, but I still recommend it. I am grateful that I read it and I will read the sequel. I believe it’s healthy to read an older book, or classic now and again. Fantasy or not. It opens your eyes for different types of writing and storytelling and from an author's point of view. I think it may be good research to read this book for a good understanding of language and narrative. It is an interesting read and a good example of good authorial voice.
Although slow, it is a light read and does not require much attention. There is world building but it is not a complicated world as such. If you look to widen your horizons in terms of genre and time period I recommend this and I think it was a healthy read for me to read between all the YA Fantasy, Sci-Fi and Dystopia. I got a chance to clear my head a bit from all the complex worlds and actions while still reading fantasy. And I am proud to say that I have opened my eyes to older books and authors and widened my reading horizons.
Overall, I think it’s safe to say that there’s no harm in reading older written texts. It’s a good practice to see where perhaps some of your favourite current fantasies have come from, borrowing from stories such as this back in the day. Much like old films having a slower pacing, the techniques change with the times and it’s refreshing to revisit the past from time to time. It just might not be to everyones taste.
For young upcoming writers however, I recommend giving it a read and letting your mind critically analyse the authors style to help identify and develop parts of your own.
Slow, meandering, yet sometimes charming and endearing.
Plot Summary:
Ged, the greatest sorcerer in all Earthsea, was called Sparrowhawk in his reckless youth.
Hungry for power and knowledge, Sparrowhawk tampered with long-held secrets and loosed a terrible shadow upon the world. This is the tale of his testing, how he mastered the mighty words of power, tamed an ancient dragon, and crossed death's threshold to restore the balance.
My Rating:
5/10
Other Books in the Series:
A Wizard of Earthsea (Earthsea Cycle #1)
The Tombs of Atuan (Earthsea Cycle #2)
The Farthest Shore (Earthsea Cycle #3)
Tehanu (Earthsea Cycle #4)
Tales from Earthsea (Earthsea Cycle #5)
The Other Wind (Earthsea Cycle #6)
The Daughter of Odren (Earthsea Cycle novella)
Other Books by Ursula K. Le Guin
The Day Before the Revolution (Hainish Cycle Prequel)
The Dispossessed (Hainish Cycle #1)
The Word for World is Forest (Hainish Cycle #2)
Rocannon's World (Hainish Cycle #3)
Planet of Exile (Hainish Cycle #4)
City of Illusions (Hainish Cycle #5)
The Left Hand of Darkness (Hainish Cycle #6)
Four Ways to Forgiveness (Hainish Cycle #7)
A Fisherman of the Inland Sea (Hainish Cycle #8)
The Telling (Hainish Cycle #9)
The Birthday of the World and Other Stories (Hainish Cycle #10)
Winter's King (Hainish Cycle Novella)
Gifts (Annals of the Western Shore #1)
Voices (Annals of the Western Shore #2)
Powers (Annals of the Western Shore #3)
Catwings (Catwings #1)
Catwings Return (Catwings #2)
Wonderful Alexander and the Catwings (Catwings #3)
Jane on Her Own (Catwings #3)
Dancing at the Edge of the World: Thoughts on Words, Women, Places (About Writing)
Steering the Craft: Exercises and Discussions on Story Writing for the Lone Navigator or the Mutinous Crew (About Writing)
The Wave in the Mind: Talks & Essays on the Writer, the Reader & the Imagination (About Writing)
Conversations with Ursula K. Le Guin (About Writing)
