Le Guin unfolds a coming-of-age story about a boy who learns to embrace humility and confront his own darkness through an epic voyage. At the start ofLe Guin unfolds a coming-of-age story about a boy who learns to embrace humility and confront his own darkness through an epic voyage. At the start of the book, we watch as Ged's naivety causes grave mistakes. But his shortcomings aren't eye-roll-inducing because he is so raw and human. Unlocking a world of power so young definitely made him arrogant, but he is shaken by the consequences of his actions and matures as a result. Throughout his journey, Ged gains wisdom and remarkable power and, in turn, must shoulder remarkable burdens. Overall, Ged is really likable in his imperfection, and all the characters are believable because their actions and motivations make sense.
The places Ged stops by in his journey are super fascinating and demonstrate the uniqueness of human culture. We witness a beautiful fragment of a town's language, norms, and trades from his one or two-night stays at an island. I also love that Ged can find refuge with strangers and, despite his constant risk of danger, have moments of sanctuary with a few valuable mentors and friends. Even a powerful wizard like Ged needs the help of others to complete his journey. These little moments break up the peril of his adventure quite nicely.
This book is also really well-written. Le Guin manages to introduce the fictional landscape and the range of terrains in a digestible way. The pace is good but not as gripping as I'd like, though I think that's just my short attention span talking after reading contemporary novels that are more straightforward.
Likable characters, good logic, great writing, and a powerful message make A Wizard of Earthsea worth reading....more
this book had been sitting in my to-read shelf for years. when i finally picked it up, it was, ngl, kind of a slow start. epic fantasy isn't my usual this book had been sitting in my to-read shelf for years. when i finally picked it up, it was, ngl, kind of a slow start. epic fantasy isn't my usual genre, so the worldbuilding and writing style took some getting used to. but it all paid off! i confess i skimmed some of the descriptions during high-tension scenes, but the language is stunning. there's an intricate plot, morally questionable characters you want to root for, and witty dialogue. despite some of its darker themes, the vibe is also pretty cozy. definitely looking forward to reading the rest of the series.
