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4.04 AVERAGE
4.04 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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:
No
adventurous
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
Wow wow wow. I think this one has to be my favourite one yet. Just the way she writes is so addictive and so all-encompassing.
A satisfying conclusion to a wise and charming adventure. Le Guin creates a beautiful feeling of coming full circle, as if all was as it should have been. Getting lost and finding your way again was the path all the while.
'I have given my love to what is worthy of love. Is that not the kingdom, and the unperishing spring?'
'Aye, lad,' said Ged, gently, and with pain.
The Earthsea Cycle cannot be touched. It is in a league of its own. I am constantly saying this.
'Aye, lad,' said Ged, gently, and with pain.
The Earthsea Cycle cannot be touched. It is in a league of its own. I am constantly saying this.
Fucking dragons and Ursula K. Le Guin and magic and adventure and fuck this book was awesome.
I’m sorry, Ursula — it’s not you, it’s me.
This was… a bit of an ordeal, to be honest. Two chapters from the end, I put this book down for a full week during my spring break and not once felt compelled to pick it up and finish it.
After the almost life-changing magic of The Tombs of Atuan, this felt like a return to A Wizard of Earthsea and, unfortunately, the same issues I had with that book. Yes, Le Guin’s writing is beautiful, and every word is purposeful. Yes, I love her deep exploration of what it means to live, to die, and to be human. But once again, I felt absolutely nothing for our main characters Ged and Arren, and that disconnect killed the story cold for me.
So often I am tantalized by small moments and side characters Le Guin introduces for a page or even just a paragraph. I want the story of Akaren, who was so affecting and heart-wrenching and memorable in her one scene that I will think of her long after I’ve forgotten Ged and Arren’s journey. I want the story of Orm Embar, of Kalessin, of the dragons losing their speech and minds as magic leaks out of the living world. (Justice for the dragons!) But these are not the stories Le Guin wants or means to tell here, and as much as I appreciate her vision and obvious gifts as a writer, I have to accept that sometimes the stories she does tell are not what I want or need as a reader, either.
This was… a bit of an ordeal, to be honest. Two chapters from the end, I put this book down for a full week during my spring break and not once felt compelled to pick it up and finish it.
After the almost life-changing magic of The Tombs of Atuan, this felt like a return to A Wizard of Earthsea and, unfortunately, the same issues I had with that book. Yes, Le Guin’s writing is beautiful, and every word is purposeful. Yes, I love her deep exploration of what it means to live, to die, and to be human. But once again, I felt absolutely nothing for our main characters Ged and Arren, and that disconnect killed the story cold for me.
So often I am tantalized by small moments and side characters Le Guin introduces for a page or even just a paragraph. I want the story of Akaren, who was so affecting and heart-wrenching and memorable in her one scene that I will think of her long after I’ve forgotten Ged and Arren’s journey. I want the story of Orm Embar, of Kalessin, of the dragons losing their speech and minds as magic leaks out of the living world. (Justice for the dragons!) But these are not the stories Le Guin wants or means to tell here, and as much as I appreciate her vision and obvious gifts as a writer, I have to accept that sometimes the stories she does tell are not what I want or need as a reader, either.
adventurous
dark
inspiring
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:
No
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
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