Rating: Summary: A Must For Fantasy Readers Review: I thought that this book was a very well written book. The story of a young man growing to be more than he expected more or less by accident is an excellent example of perfect fantasy writing. Since i first picked this up in the library i have been a huge fan of Le Guin's. She captures the reader with a sense of mystery looming around every corner and the reader never knows what is going to happen next. I loved it.
Rating: Summary: A hauntingly dark and beautiful story Review: I would give this story 10 stars if I could. I read this when I was in grade 7 and it became my favorite book, now after university I still think this is one of the greatest fantasy books I've ever read. Le Guin takes you into her little wonderful world of islands with strange exotic names and builds a tapestry of characters and places with histories and cultures intertwined in a tale about a young wizard who meddles with the forces of darkness and has to deal with the consequences for the rest of his life. It is truly original in the same way that the Lord of the Rings was, and the Wizard of Oz was, and Alice in Wonderland was; a story that children can enjoy but that grows with you as you grow in life and learn to appreciate what good story telling is, and Le Guin is one of the best in the world.
Rating: Summary: A Fantasy Classic for the Younger Set Review: I'm afraid that I haven't actually read this trilogy in a while (Like, somewhere around twenty years) and in fact, I stumbled on this citation because I've been assuming for a while that it was out of print, and was searching Amazon for stuff for work when it occured to me to check on that assumption. I didn't even know there was a fourth book! I'm so pleased I was wrong - this trilogy meant a lot to me, and to discover that it's available in hardcover, aimed at school libraries! It's so well written, and an excellent recommendation for readers of Harry Potter who are looking for more fantasy, or a more mature fantasy. Read!
Rating: Summary: One of the best fantasy books ever! Review: A Wizard of Earthsea ranks among the Chronicles of Narnia and the Wizard of Oz as the the best fantasy series I have read. From the start the story is intriguing and you don't want to put this book down. I recomend this to fantasy readers of all ages.
Rating: Summary: Big disappointment Review: I started this novel with a great deal of anticipation; I had read reviews, and seen this book on many fan lists, so I bought it. Usually, when I start the first book in a fantasy series, I spend many sleepless nights pouring through each sequel until I have finished the series. This is the first time I had no interest in finding out what happened in the subsequent books. The stories and characters were horribly underdeveloped. Neither were built up enough for me to even care about what happened to them. The entire approach to wizardry felt overly simplistic for the fantastic events that were supposedly happening. I haven't been this disappointed with anything since I saw Dungeons and Dragons (what a pile that thing was).
Rating: Summary: Wonderful, but not perfect Review: Ursula K Leguin has certain exceptional talents as an author. Her best, and most lovely, talent is an unsurpassed style and prose. She is a poet in disguise, quite frankly. Her beauty in expressing herslef is the greatest joy to be found in reading these books. Her style distills meanings without being didactic- the hardest task an author has when trying to convey some message to the reader. The book is a multi-layered story about a boy reaching manhood. The process is standard- a sort of twist on the sorceror's apprentice- a trial the main character (Ged) undergoes to achieve an inner peace. If you read a little deeper, not too simple, you could also catch glimpses of a man struggling with power, and how to deal with great power and not upset delicate balances. A sort of 'playing with fire' tale, if you wish. Leguin creates a charming world, if a bit sleepy (thats part of the charm i suppose). Its not terrifically detailed- it is a novel about a character, to be sure- and its best quality is its mysterious nature. Its a strange place with strange powers and few comforting laws. As i said, Leguins best talent is her beautiful prose. She is, however, not without flaws. Her world is her chief liability. Its not only sleepy- at times its rather dreary. In fact, after reading the book, I came away with the feeling that the world was very chilly and grey, with constant fogs, dreary skies and no sun. It certainly casts a bit of a pall on the events in the book. And the interminable sea rides- riding over a grey sea under a grey sky- can really depress you. I certainly wouldnt want to live in the world she describes here (it gets a bit better in the second book- a desert- barren, but at least not chilly). Finally, Leguin fails in writing a good conclusion. Ged defeats his gnawing shadow in a sort of 'trick' ending that gives the impression of Leguin wiggling out of a problem she created for herself. But, the books are a nice read in the long run. it certainly gets better in the second book (with a character much more interesting than Ged). Fantasy fans who can live without adrenaline will love this book.
Rating: Summary: I still love this book Review: I first read, "A Wizard of Earthsea," in 7th Grade in Mrs. Cashman's class. It blew me away. I forgot the book long ago but somehow the lead character managed to stick with me through the years. Only recently did I have the time and luck to rediscover Ms. Le Guin's classic. Re-reading the book has been interesting. I still love the story but the ideas are less interesting, less profound as they once seemed. The writing is excellent and it's much more compelling than your average young adult book. I'm glad I rediscovered it and I definitely recommend it for your children.
Rating: Summary: Words to spark an imagination Review: Le Guin, the famed sci-fi writter, really did a wonder here. This book, this amazing piece of literature, has the depth, color, and artistic flare that all readers should be looking for. Its plot, its characters, its very idea foundation is a wonderful and well written one. You find yourself locked in the world, the world of Eathsea. A world of magic, but one like no other ever described. This is not the fanciful tale of an evil mage and a gallant knight, or a fair maiden and an old king. This book is about a young man, struggling to reach his goals and sail to his own farthest shores. It is the tale of his hardships and struggles and of his realizations and pains. For this is no prince charming, but Ged, the wizard from Gont. And through this book, you will feel and learn and live along side him. This truely is a must for all fantasy readers. Very few books even come close to the beauty of this writting. I highly recomend it.
Rating: Summary: Wonderful! Review: The EarthSea Trilogy is a GREAT series of books!! If all fanatasy books were this good, life would be great! -Brandon
Rating: Summary: PC Hodegell, PE Zimmer, D Gemmell are her only peers. Review: An almost unparalleled piece of fanatsy writing, beautifully rendered world in so few pages, many of todays supposedly great fantasy writers could take a few hints from Ursula. Her mythos is complete, the way magic works logical and the duality of that exsists in all life and death brilliantly written. The book is about Ged and his rite of passage from boy to powerful wizard. A journey of one facing his fears, of accepting them as part of who is....literally! A great read for young peaple and adults alike. Enjoy a truly magical piece of litreature.
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