Ursula K. Le Guin’s 'A Wizard of Earthsea' is a classic, no question. But does anyone still care? Writers and creators of fantasy, neglect this book at your peril
Of all the books I read, this was the one that marked me the most and is on top of my list. Alongside the fantastic world-building, Ged is such a complex, human character, and I haven't found anything like it anywhere else.
Thanks, Claudia. I came to this book late. (Read it for the first time last year. :P) It just goes to show how much visibility is a factor when it comes to books being regarded as 'classics'. A wonderful book, without question. Rich characters, amazing, unique atmosphere. Also, as much as a parable of taoism as Lewis's Narnia books are parables of Christianity, though Le Guin's book never drew the same flack from critics. Anyway, thanks so much for reading, Claudia.
I had never gotten round to reading Earthsea until I was asked to do a keynote speech for The Big Read about 7 years ago. Loved your analysis. Forgive me for sharing mine:
Great post, thanks. One of my favourites ever. Have you seen they are making a graphic novel of A WIZARD OF EARTHSEA? There will be lots of le Guin in my next newsletter, out on August 1st...
Literally an hour after I posted I saw the news about the GN! :D Be interesting to see how it gets done as the magic is very literary and non-visual… Thanks for reading, Faenon.
What a beautiful piece. What perfect quotes. This gave me a lot to think about and organized my thoughts for why Earthsea has meant so much to me over the years. I always felt it was akin to poetry in motion.
Thanks, Ethan! Going through the feedback here, it's clear that WoE means so much to so many people, one of those foundational books in peoples' imaginative lives. For me it was the Fighting Fantasy gamebooks, which - though great - weren't quite on the same literary level. :D
It never ceased to amaze me how the Studio Ghibli film failed. I say it's still worth watching but it does make Earthsea less than it is. Usually Studio Ghibli films are complex, just watch Princess Mononoke. Lady Eboshi is a complicated villian antagonist who would fit right on with Earthsea.
Agreed. Didn’t this have something to do with Miyazaki’s son directing in his stead? Him not being ready for such a big project or something? I recall there being some kind of drama there. Not seen the movie since it first came out. :P
This is such a good post! I recently read The Language of the Night, a collection of some of her essays & speeches. Highly recommend it & other collections of her essays. Anyone who wants to be a SF author should read them. And the Earthsea series, of course.
Thanks! I really like Steering the Craft and Words are My Matter, two other collections of hers. And Reflections: On the Magic of Writing by Diana Wynne Jones is great too. Also so funny.
You brought back to me my teenage love with Earthsea. I must have read the first three books countless times before TEHANU was published, and I still remember how struck I was by the tone shift. Back then there was no Internet, and being Deaf, there was no TV or radio. I fell into these worlds and my imagination was sated. I expected more Ged in TEHANU and I found more Tenar instead. Read that book twice again before the last two were published a decade later.
I read book one for the first time this year and found it pretty astonishing. Always knew Le Guin was mega-important but not understood why until now. So glad you enjoyed the post, Frank.
Thank you for your kind words, Chen. Thanks too for the invite. That's so kind of you to ask. Unfortunately, I've about 65 pages of comic script to get done by the end of the school holidays and not entirely sure how I'm going to get it all done. Things may get a bit frantic and time a bit precious, I fear. :D Apologies, but thank you.
Another cracking read, thanks Alec!
Thanks, Maura. X
Of all the books I read, this was the one that marked me the most and is on top of my list. Alongside the fantastic world-building, Ged is such a complex, human character, and I haven't found anything like it anywhere else.
Beautiful article and tribute to Ursula.
Thanks, Claudia. I came to this book late. (Read it for the first time last year. :P) It just goes to show how much visibility is a factor when it comes to books being regarded as 'classics'. A wonderful book, without question. Rich characters, amazing, unique atmosphere. Also, as much as a parable of taoism as Lewis's Narnia books are parables of Christianity, though Le Guin's book never drew the same flack from critics. Anyway, thanks so much for reading, Claudia.
I had never gotten round to reading Earthsea until I was asked to do a keynote speech for The Big Read about 7 years ago. Loved your analysis. Forgive me for sharing mine:
http://www.thefifth.world/2018/01/ursula-k-leguin-still-taking-us-to.html?m=1
Thanks, Jason! Have saved that for a later read. I was so late to the party with Le Guin. :P
Great post, thanks. One of my favourites ever. Have you seen they are making a graphic novel of A WIZARD OF EARTHSEA? There will be lots of le Guin in my next newsletter, out on August 1st...
Literally an hour after I posted I saw the news about the GN! :D Be interesting to see how it gets done as the magic is very literary and non-visual… Thanks for reading, Faenon.
Looks like a certain series just moved up on my list. Thank you for this!
You’re very welcome, George!
Earthsea was a major anchor of my youth, and helped steer me towards fantasy. And I thoroughly enjoyed this article :)
Thanks, Neil. This was my first time reading it. Really glad I did. :D
What a beautiful piece. What perfect quotes. This gave me a lot to think about and organized my thoughts for why Earthsea has meant so much to me over the years. I always felt it was akin to poetry in motion.
Thanks, Ethan! Going through the feedback here, it's clear that WoE means so much to so many people, one of those foundational books in peoples' imaginative lives. For me it was the Fighting Fantasy gamebooks, which - though great - weren't quite on the same literary level. :D
It never ceased to amaze me how the Studio Ghibli film failed. I say it's still worth watching but it does make Earthsea less than it is. Usually Studio Ghibli films are complex, just watch Princess Mononoke. Lady Eboshi is a complicated villian antagonist who would fit right on with Earthsea.
Agreed. Didn’t this have something to do with Miyazaki’s son directing in his stead? Him not being ready for such a big project or something? I recall there being some kind of drama there. Not seen the movie since it first came out. :P
Yes, there was something going on & it wasn't directed by Miyazaki himself.
Gormenghast is also fantastic & defies category & explanation. It's just something you have to experience.
Gormenghast one and two are probably my all-time favourite fantasy novels. So strange and so perfect!
This is such a good post! I recently read The Language of the Night, a collection of some of her essays & speeches. Highly recommend it & other collections of her essays. Anyone who wants to be a SF author should read them. And the Earthsea series, of course.
She also has a blog worth reading.
I just got Language of the Night! Been cherry-picking her essays all month. :D Thanks so much for the kind words, Ada.
Thanks! I really like Steering the Craft and Words are My Matter, two other collections of hers. And Reflections: On the Magic of Writing by Diana Wynne Jones is great too. Also so funny.
You brought back to me my teenage love with Earthsea. I must have read the first three books countless times before TEHANU was published, and I still remember how struck I was by the tone shift. Back then there was no Internet, and being Deaf, there was no TV or radio. I fell into these worlds and my imagination was sated. I expected more Ged in TEHANU and I found more Tenar instead. Read that book twice again before the last two were published a decade later.
I read book one for the first time this year and found it pretty astonishing. Always knew Le Guin was mega-important but not understood why until now. So glad you enjoyed the post, Frank.
Thank you for your kind words, Chen. Thanks too for the invite. That's so kind of you to ask. Unfortunately, I've about 65 pages of comic script to get done by the end of the school holidays and not entirely sure how I'm going to get it all done. Things may get a bit frantic and time a bit precious, I fear. :D Apologies, but thank you.
Cheers, Thog! :D