Book Review
Apr. 23rd, 2008 10:52 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
kenjariThe Earthsea Quartet
A Wizard of Earthsea
The Tombs of Atuan
The Farthest Shore
Tehanu
by Ursula K. LeGuin
These four novels are terrific - some of the best fantasy I've read in a long while. The prose, characters, and stories are very good, making the books a true pleasure to read. Each novel is also a wonderful exploration of the recognition and acceptance of the undiscovered or hidden aspects of oneself and one's life. It makes for fantasy that tells of great deeds yet is remarkably and refreshingly non-heroic in tone. Ged is not a Chosen One, he doesn't set out on Grand Quests(tm), he just does what has to be done. Tenar is not a classic heroine, either. And the story of their relationship is not even remotely like Grand Romance. LeGuin does not give us simple surfaces because she's really telling us about how to see and know what lies underneath.
A Wizard of Earthsea
The Tombs of Atuan
The Farthest Shore
Tehanu
by Ursula K. LeGuin
These four novels are terrific - some of the best fantasy I've read in a long while. The prose, characters, and stories are very good, making the books a true pleasure to read. Each novel is also a wonderful exploration of the recognition and acceptance of the undiscovered or hidden aspects of oneself and one's life. It makes for fantasy that tells of great deeds yet is remarkably and refreshingly non-heroic in tone. Ged is not a Chosen One, he doesn't set out on Grand Quests(tm), he just does what has to be done. Tenar is not a classic heroine, either. And the story of their relationship is not even remotely like Grand Romance. LeGuin does not give us simple surfaces because she's really telling us about how to see and know what lies underneath.
