Reviews

A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K. Le Guin

emlo's review against another edition

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adventurous dark medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

A re-read from childhood. This book is a lot darker than I remembered. Interesting to go back to the OG of wizard schools. I like the fact that the magic system is very reflective and harmonious with nature. Also the story deals with the perils of pride and accepting consequences, where a lot of kid's books these days seem based on wish fulfilment. 

audreyc543's review against another edition

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adventurous slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

1.5

logolepsy_e's review against another edition

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3.0

Un ottimo approccio alla Le Guin del fantasy.

Ci troviamo di fronte a un caposaldo del genere, e si sente. Questo romanzo semplice e rapido getta le basi non solo di una saga prolifica e fortunata che non vedo l'ora di approfondire, ma anche di un sacco di opere fantasy successive di altri autori che hanno pescato a piene mani dall'immaginario di Le Guin.

Si tratta di un classico del fantasy e anche di un fantasy molto classico, che però non siamo più tanto abituati a leggere, secondo me. La struttura della storia è lontana da quello a cui ci ha abituate il fantasy contemporaneo. Non si basa tutto solo sulla trama, tanto che all'inizio del libro ci viene anticipato già molto di quello che succede. La trama di per sé è poi molto lineare e pulita, sia nella costruzione che nell'intreccio e nel modo in cui viene proposta al lettor. Non ci sono un milione di personaggi, ma un cast piuttosto essenziale, così come non ci sono spiegoni eccessivi, regole da ricordare e un world building troppo prolissi. Le Guin riesce infatti a tratteggiare il suo mondo in modo molto chiaro con pochi, semplici tratti, senza mai perdersi in lungaggini.
A volte anche troppo, forse, visto che un difetto che posso trovare a questo libro è che effettivamente in alcuni passaggi, specialmente verso l'inizio, mi è risultato un po' troppo sbrigativo, riassuntivo. Alcune parti, tipo tutto il primo terzo del libro, mi sono sembrate più il background di un personaggio di D&D che un romanzo.
La semplicità estrema, inoltre, è forse riuscita a farmi empatizzare un po' meno con i personaggi e a tenermi il protagonista un po' troppo a distanza. Questo carattere "riassuntivo" non mi ha fatta sentire al 100% coinvolta nella storia, anche se verso la fine le cose sono leggermente cambiate.

Per tutti questi motivi, il libro mi è piaciuto parecchio, ma non mi ha entusiasmata del tutto. Mi aspetto grandi cose dai seguiti, però, quindi ci rivedremo a breve su questi schermi.

bookwyrmsam's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

recklessric's review

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adventurous medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Unique (particlarly for it's time) and understandably deserving of its classic status but ultimately I found Le Guin's writing style to be a bit of a challenge. Seemingly vague and dense and the same time. It felt a bit like the same style as the Alchemist but where that book grabbed me this simply didn't for some reason. I may try an audio book if I decide to read further into the series just to see if that has any impact. 

johnbyers1500's review

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adventurous mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

anaknien's review

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adventurous mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

tricking's review

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adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? N/A
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

rhoadesd20's review against another edition

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adventurous mysterious fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

vyhurz's review

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5.0

I’ve never read an Earthsea book, and I knew nothing about the world except that it was fantasy. I didn’t even know the name, “Ged.” I’d heard in many places how respected Le Guin is, but reading Earthsea was something I just would get around to one day.

Well, I got my library card and began using the Libby app. I’ve been reading ebooks on my tablet instead of my phone, and it’s much more enjoyable. And that’s how I put a hold on A Wizard of Earthsea. I knew of the book, and it was there, and when it became available, I read it.

Well, what a surprise and a delight. It’s a fantastical book following a young man as he becomes a wizard. However, he’s arrogant and proud, believing in his own greatness. This nearly ruins him, and then he must right his wrongs and discover how he can be that wizard.

The book is short, so I don’t want to share too many details. Learning about the world of Earthsea should be done by the book itself. It’s a quick, smooth read. The writing pulls you along as though you were listening to someone tell a great story at a party. You don’t want them to stop. You need to know what happens.

Le Guin’s style made me think not only of Lord of the Rings but also Narnia. It felt like a mix to me. It’s a fantasical history of sorts, and it’s so pleasant and enjoyable to experience. I can’t wait to read the next one.

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