Ursula K. Le Guin’s 'A Wizard of Earthsea' may be a classic, but does anyone still care? Writers and creators of fantasy, neglect this book at your peril
I was just thinking, and writing, the other day, that I see LeGuin as a possible path out of the "death of epic fantasy"... It's true, you can't do Tolkien anymore; I think there's still mileage to be had from Swords and Sorcery, from the examples of Howard and Leiber. But this is what I myself want to do: Poetic Fantasy, in the mode of LeGuin. A Wizard of Earthsea and its sequels were and are my constant companions since my grandmother gave me the first three at age eight (nearly forty years ago!). I keep coming back to them and keep being stunned at how much depth and wonder she manages to pack into so few words. THIS is the kind of fantasy and I want to read and write, and there is so little of it out there...
I think that’s the real hallmark of a great book, right? How many times you can return to it over the years and find new meanings in it. I get that with Mervyn Peake’s Gormenghast books. Best of luck with that poetic fantasy project of yours, Malachas!
Gorgemghast is amazing too! I should revisit it... When I first read it, I relished it, but I think I was almost overcome by what I felt as its nearly overwhelming sadness... Perhaps I'd feel different now...
Excellent, detailed commentary on Le Guin, thank you. I especially liked the point about violence on both sides in the final battles, and her subversion of that trope.
I loved her books as a kid. After not opening one for 45 years I am now halfway through my own series of novels which are set in prehistory and only skirt the fringes of magic or fantasy - but I am finding that she is my best comp.
I will probably reread your post - and at least one of her novels - before I write my next one. Very helpful!
Thanks, Stephen. Best of luck on that project of yours. Have you read Le Guin’s writing manual, Steering the Craft: A 21st Century Guide to Sailing the Sea of Story? I find myself referring back to it, repeatedly. It’s really handy!
Thank you Alec, I will certainly look that up. I also need to reread some of the novels I think. I have written this first one almost I a literary vacuum...
"Fantasy that innovates is usually in a dialogue – whether conscious or not – with the stories that have come before3. Their writers have an eye for assumption."
Yes. I am not a fan of Earthsea, but I completely agree with this sentiment, and can greatly respect anyone who tries to innovate and push the genre forward. Thanks for writing a good overview!
Wonderful commentary, Alec! I loved the original Earthsea trilogy, reading them all at once in my youth. I have never returned though, never read the later books. But Le Guin and Ged have never strayed far from my memory.
They should care. Not only one of the best fantasy series ever, but clearly the basis for a future wizard school character who is haunted by a dark shadow (sound familiar?). Infinitely better written of course.
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
I was just thinking, and writing, the other day, that I see LeGuin as a possible path out of the "death of epic fantasy"... It's true, you can't do Tolkien anymore; I think there's still mileage to be had from Swords and Sorcery, from the examples of Howard and Leiber. But this is what I myself want to do: Poetic Fantasy, in the mode of LeGuin. A Wizard of Earthsea and its sequels were and are my constant companions since my grandmother gave me the first three at age eight (nearly forty years ago!). I keep coming back to them and keep being stunned at how much depth and wonder she manages to pack into so few words. THIS is the kind of fantasy and I want to read and write, and there is so little of it out there...
I think that’s the real hallmark of a great book, right? How many times you can return to it over the years and find new meanings in it. I get that with Mervyn Peake’s Gormenghast books. Best of luck with that poetic fantasy project of yours, Malachas!
Gorgemghast is amazing too! I should revisit it... When I first read it, I relished it, but I think I was almost overcome by what I felt as its nearly overwhelming sadness... Perhaps I'd feel different now...
The last Earthsea book was very didactic and soured me on the whole series, but I should revisit it now.
I’ve got a couple more books to get through before I reach that one. Very interested to see how the series develops as it goes along.
Excellent, detailed commentary on Le Guin, thank you. I especially liked the point about violence on both sides in the final battles, and her subversion of that trope.
I loved her books as a kid. After not opening one for 45 years I am now halfway through my own series of novels which are set in prehistory and only skirt the fringes of magic or fantasy - but I am finding that she is my best comp.
I will probably reread your post - and at least one of her novels - before I write my next one. Very helpful!
Thanks, Stephen. Best of luck on that project of yours. Have you read Le Guin’s writing manual, Steering the Craft: A 21st Century Guide to Sailing the Sea of Story? I find myself referring back to it, repeatedly. It’s really handy!
Thank you Alec, I will certainly look that up. I also need to reread some of the novels I think. I have written this first one almost I a literary vacuum...
Nicely done!!!
Yes, Lewis, Le Guin, and Tolkien are my fantasy trinity. I also like her science fiction along with Lewis’s.
Not read her SF, but have heard amazing things.
"Fantasy that innovates is usually in a dialogue – whether conscious or not – with the stories that have come before3. Their writers have an eye for assumption."
Yes. I am not a fan of Earthsea, but I completely agree with this sentiment, and can greatly respect anyone who tries to innovate and push the genre forward. Thanks for writing a good overview!
You’re very welcome, Don. Thanks for reading!
I’ve not read her and will begin after I read your article
She’s special! I really didn’t understand her until I wrote this essay. Hoping to read the second Earthsea book, Tombs of Atuan, this year…
Wonderful commentary, Alec! I loved the original Earthsea trilogy, reading them all at once in my youth. I have never returned though, never read the later books. But Le Guin and Ged have never strayed far from my memory.
Cheers, Jason. Hoping to read the second book later this year.
They should care. Not only one of the best fantasy series ever, but clearly the basis for a future wizard school character who is haunted by a dark shadow (sound familiar?). Infinitely better written of course.
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