Reviews

The Farthest Shore by Ursula K. Le Guin

daniel_macdougall's review against another edition

adventurous reflective slow-paced

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

4.0

scrbl's review against another edition

3.0

Hm, not too sure about this one. I still enjoyed Le Guins writing a lot, but the overall story was just a bit too slow for me. I even took a break after the first couple of chapters, which probably didn't help. ^^ Nonetheless, still glad I read it but for me it was just not as exciting as the first two books.

quinnjean's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark 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

4.5

penderworth's review against another edition

adventurous dark medium-paced

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

2.75

This feels similar to the previous book, in that very little happens until the end. I liked this even less than the second book, except for the interesting philosophical and moral implications of events in the penultimate chapter.

burnedtothewick's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.25

trnolan's review against another edition

3.0

I feel like I have a similar experience with most of Le Guin's stories as I stumble through the first two thirds only to be redeemed by a meaningful finish. This was similar but without the highs of the finish. The ending was telegraphed and I didn't have any interest in Arren as a character. This story feels inconsequential and shows its age more so than earlier entries in the Earthsea Cycle.

joceyreads's review against another edition

3.0

This was a fairly fast paced book for Earthsea. I definitely enjoyed it. I think it works very well to complete Ged’s story. Though it is of course, a difficult place to end a character’s journey. These books are odd. They are fascinating, and Le Guin’s writing is beautiful, the themes interesting. But there is always that little bit of distance I feel towards the plot and the characters. I’m glad I read this trilogy but will likely think on it for a while.

pilardo's review against another edition

5.0

Strongest in the series so far. Questing, dragons, philosophical musings, kings, sea voyages.

uhndre's review against another edition

adventurous challenging tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

ronanmcd's review against another edition

adventurous dark slow-paced

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

3.0

I didn't know. For the most part the book didn't hold my interest, being a travelogue of a world that doesn't exist, as viewed from a boat. 
And it has a prophetic feel, a hermit traveller seeks his own redemption, and thereby that of all the world. 
But towards the end, I came round.. How strongly must we fight to preserve ourselves in a world that has its magic (culture, diversity, legend, love) taken from it? Can one person going to their very depths hope to save us in a culturally decimated world?
As another reviewer put it, the battle against destructive greed is the motif of our time.