Reviews

Fifth book of the Earthsea Cycle

A different format from the four previous books. Tales from Earthsea was a collection of short stories that filled in the history for Earthsea.
The Finder is the origin story of Roke and its school for mages. How the depth of female engagement in the founding of the school shifted to women being banned is still lost to me. I understand with the Dark Times, sorcery and witchcraft became distrusted but still....then again, women have been persecuted for far less.

Darkrose and Diamond is a love story, but also a story of pursuing your true love. Diamond belongs to Darkrose and music and he would never have been full otherwise. The subtle misogyny from Golden to Tuly is all the more telling. It is what women endure in their marriage. But truly, Tuly has a clearer vision for what is to be because she is not clouded by hubris and what things "ought to be."

The Bones of the Earth (Ogion's origin story) and On the High Marsh (a disillusioned mage who left Roke after a younger mage was named summoner) both just flew over my head. To be honest, all four short stories thus far really flew over my head. I simply didn't connect with them or feel for them the same way I had for Tenar or Ged or Arren or Therru. There was so little pages to do so much work. That doesn't make Tales from Earthsea unworthy, Le Guin still weaves her observations and beliefs of the world so beautifully into the fabric of her work.

The final short story - Dragonfly - picks up where Tehanu left out and brings Tale from Earthsea full circle: women had helped found Roke and now a woman comes to claim her place. This is, coincidentally, where I also got out of my reading slump and was finally engaged with the book.

I love Dragonfly/Irian based on the sole merit that she doesn't care if she has to have sex with Ivory. When, this whole time, that was what he could think of, using Roke as bait to lure her, the only thing on her mind was learning the "high arts" and, if need be, offering herself to get there. All the pity the wise mages extended was met with her utter confusion! You cannot shame those who do not share your shame. I loved her for standing tall, for demanding not her rightful place but a reason why she should not be equal. How the council crumbled at such a simple demand. There was never a good answer.

The writing is still as breathtaking and beautiful as ever. She painted a detailed picture of Earthsea, not just its history or terrain, but its culture and beliefs. With the Dark Times we saw why Roke banned women and how witches are viewed by the common folk. In Ivory and Gully, we see the earthly desires of mages - Ivory, so lofty to abandon all real care for the people and Rose to pick up the "lowest" of work, healing people and the land. With many of these stories, we came to see that Roke was not an aloof ivory tower, but an institution that had become far too looming in their world and, when uncareful, lustful for power. The world building was not on a surface level, but far deeper. It gave cause and justification. I was simply lost.

bfmitchell's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective relaxing medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

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