A review by imaginary_space
A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K. Le Guin

adventurous challenging inspiring

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

4.0

"The notion that fantasy is only for the immature rises from an obstinate misunderstanding of both maturity and the imagination."

Ursula K. Le Guin’s A Wizard of Earthsea is a classic of fantasy literature, and though it was first published in 1968, it remains as relevant today as ever. A Wizard of Earthsea offers a coming-of-age story that respects its audience, an intricate magic system, and an interesting setting. If more contemporary YA followed in its footsteps, I think I’d enjoy the genre much more.

One of the things that immediately stood out to me was how Le Guin refuses to infantilize her teenage readers. Many popular YA novels today tend to over-explain motivations, emotions, and hit you on the nose with their themes, leaving little room for readers to engage critically. A Wizard of Earthsea does the opposite—it expects the reader to pay attention, to read between the lines, and to question the protagonist’s choices. 
The story follows Ged, a gifted young boy who makes a reckless mistake and spends much of his life trying to fix it. His journey isn’t just about fighting external enemies; it’s about understanding himself and the world around him. This emphasis on personal growth rather than grand battles is refreshing, especially in a genre often dominated by war and large-scale conflict.

The worldbuilding is another highlight. I’m always drawn to settings that revolve around islands and/or the sea, and Earthsea—an archipelago of scattered islands, each with its own culture and history—instantly captivated me. The world feels lived-in, and its magic system, which revolves around knowing the true names of things, is one of the most fascinating aspects of the book. Magic in A Wizard of Earthsea isn’t about flashy spells or limitless power; it’s about knowledge, balance, and responsibility. You can’t change something unless you truly understand it, which is a concept that fits beautifully into the book’s themes of self-awareness and wisdom.

"Think of this: that every word, every act of our Art is said and is done either for good, or for evil. Before you speak or do you must know the price that is to pay!"

Ged’s character arc is satisfying in many ways. He starts off arrogant, makes a disastrous mistake, and must then spend years coming to terms with it. His journey of self-discovery is well-executed, and I appreciate that Le Guin allows him to struggle and learn. That said, I found it difficult to connect with him on an emotional level. Perhaps it’s the style of narration—more distant and mythic than personal—but I never quite felt as immersed in his emotions as I would have liked.

"To be the man he can be, Ged has to find out who and what his real enemy is. He has to find out what it means to be himself. That requires not a war but a search and a discovery. The search takes him through mortal danger, loss, and suffering. The discovery brings him victory, the kind of victory that isn't the end of a battle but the beginning of a life."

Even though this is a YA novel, Le Guin's prose is as elegant and deliberate as in her adult works. Every sentence feels carefully chosen, no word wasted. The introspective, philosophical tone reminds me of Michael Ende’s Momo, another book that deals with deeper themes through the lens of a fantastical story. I would have loved to read A Wizard of Earthsea in my youth; I think it would have resonated more with me at a younger age.

Overall, I’d rate this around 3.5 stars personally, but I have to give it extra points for being very progressive for its time (Le Guin's characters are dark-skinned and she rejected illustrated editions for years, until a publisher would not try to white-wash them). I recommend getting one of the editions that include her comments and essays, they are very enlightening and interesting to read. A Wizard of Earthsea is a timeless and thoughtful book that still has plenty to offer readers today.

"[...]my mind doesn't work in terms of war. My imagination refuses to limit all the elements that make an adventure story and make it exciting - danger, risk, challenge, courage - to battlefields. A hero whose heroism consists of killing people is uninteresting to me[...]"