A Wizard of Earthsea

The Earthsea Cycle, Book 1

By: Ursula K. Le Guin

Narrated by: Rob Inglis

Length: 7 hrs and 17 mins

Publisher's summary

"The shapeless mass of darkness split apart. It sundered, and a pale spindle of light gleamed between his open arms. In the oval of light there moved a human shape: a tall woman...beautiful, and sorrowful, and full of fear." - from A Wizard of Earthsea, first in a tetralogy that includes The Tombs of Atuan and The Farthest Shore, introduces the listener to Ged, the greatest sorcerer in all Earthsea, known also as Sparrowhawk. When Sparrowhawk casts a spell that saves his village from destruction at the hands of the invading Kargs, Ogion, the Mage of Re Albi, encourages the boy to apprentice himself in the art of wizardry. So, at the age of 13, the boy receives his true name - Ged - and gives himself over to the gentle tutelage of the Master Ogion. But impatient with the slowness of his studies and infatuated with glory, Ged embarks for the Island of Roke, where the highest arts of wizardry are taught. There, Ged's natural talents enable him to surpass his classmates in little time. But when his vanity prompts him to summon Elfarran, the fair lady of the Deed of Enlad, he unleashes a shapeless mass of darkness - the shadow.

©1968 Ursula K. Le Guin (P)1992 Recorded Books, LLC

A Classic

While Ursula K. Le Guin wrote several novels about the fantasy world of Earthsea, A Wizard of Earthsea appears to be the first of the main cycle by that name. I found it difficult to pin down whether the series is written for children and/or adults. I concluded that while there are a number of philosophical themes that adults could appreciate, the target audience was probably that of a younger age. Let’s say YAs.

Further, on the subject of age, this is basically the coming of age story of a young mage named Ged who is drawn to wizardry and develops into just that as the story unfolds. There’s much in the way of magic, spells and personal discovery along the way. However, as Ged learns, all of the power and might of of a wizard comes with a price. Wizardry is not for the faint-hearted nor is its magic lightly wielded by the ignorant or arrogant. Much of this is taught Ged by Ogion his primary mentor along with his own life’s little (and not so little) foibles in and around Earthsea. Does all this sound a bit familiar?

The monster of the story we learn is… uh, not so fast. That would be a major spoiler. And I believe the book is worth reading to discover that as well as the other things Ged learns along his way through apprenticeship and personal discovery. The book is very straight forward. That appears to be Le Guin’s style. After recently reading a bunch of China Mielville prior to Earthsea, the latter was a refreshingly, relaxing read. However, we probably should not be fooled by her simplicity. Contained within the pages are a depth and breath that can be easily missed if we’re not paying attention. What can I say; it’s obviously a classic and who could not recommend that.

I love this story!

I use this story with my English 9 class, not just because it fits so well with my curriculum, but because it is such a good story. I first read it as part of my children's lit class in university and found myself enjoying it so much I read the remaining books in the series just for fun.

More fantasy than sci-fi

What did you like best about A Wizard of Earthsea? What did you like least?

I was impressed with how well a short story covered the entire development of a character from child to adolescent to adult, and his development from novice to apprentice to master was well done. But it felt unfinished, and I recommend reading the whole trilogy.

I read this when I was a boy

If you could sum up A Wizard of Earthsea in three words, what would they be?

poetic, seascrolls, interesting

Who was your favorite character and why?

Ged of course, main character. The whole magic used by a boy is interesting, running around full of pride, sort of full of himself. He grows and is humbled.

Which character – as performed by Rob Inglis – was your favorite?

I liked him as the narrator he had a calm cadence in his voice. He pronounced things clearly, occasionally I could hear the sound of the tape (recorded from a tape I believe ) and sometimes you could hear him take a breath. It felt very much like an old uncle telling me about Ged.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I liked the Shadow tearing the hell out of Ged. Chewing him up! HA funny. That and the idea of shaping the fog to save the town, combined with concealment. interesting how the story proceeds.

Any additional comments?

The time I read it as a boy, i really enjoyed the book. Listening to it, reminded me of how it was then, and how i feel now. Kind of a surreal experience, and i enjoyed it now at 50, as much as i had enjoyed it at 10. :-)

A Timeless Classic

I'd never finished reading Ursula K. Le Guin's Earthsea Cycle when I was growing up. I'd somehow just never gotten around to it. Waiting for the final novel of Patrick Rothfuss's Kingkiller Chronicle trilogy got me in the mood to revisit this series--and hopefully finish it--as it was one of Rothfuss's major influences when he began writing The Name of the Wind.
I'd forgotten how much I enjoyed Le Guin's capacity to blend minimalism with exquisite prose, crafting a streamlined narrative that never bogs itself down with minutiae and long-winded deviations from the main story. In that and her sheer imaginative quality, Le Guin remains an iconoclast in the realm of fantasy literature.
We join Ged on his journey from childhood through young adulthood as he finds his place in the larger world of Earthsea. We experience his mistakes and misplaced pride as if they're our own, and we feel both his terror and exultation as he travels to lands familiar and far distant in his quest to evade and subdue the shadow he set loose on the world.
The narration provided by Rob Inglis made the audiobook a vastly different experience from simply reading the book decades ago, and I'm pleased to see that he continues as narrator for the subsequent volumes in this epic series.

Fantastic Book

I enjoyed getting enveloped in the story. Things are often unclear through the main of the story, but it is still very enjoyable.

Solid story book telling

I enjoyed listening to this audiobook. Very solid storytelling through-out. I never got bored.

Good book

Very very good and interesting book, I like the part with the magic and dragons

You're being read a bedtime story.

I listened to this in half-hour chunks as I fell asleep. The story is thrilling, the worldbuilding amazing, the characters gripping, and the narrator both soothing and exciting. Listen to this one.

the greatest wizard story of all time

the narration is incredible, really lyrical performance gives Ursula K Leguins great work a beautiful realness. as a huge Urs K fan, this is an incredible find.