• The Farthest Shore

  • The Earthsea Cycle, Book 3
  • By: Ursula K. Le Guin
  • Narrated by: Rob Inglis
  • Length: 8 hrs and 6 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (2,214 ratings)

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The Farthest Shore  By  cover art

The Farthest Shore

By: Ursula K. Le Guin
Narrated by: Rob Inglis
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Publisher's summary

Return to Earthsea with Ged, the brash young wizard who survived the enchanted labyrinth of The Tombs of Atuan. In the third episode of this brilliant fantasy saga, a much older Ged sets off on a harrowing quest for the source of a terrible darkness that is taking the magic out of Earthsea.

©1972 Ursula K. Le Guin (P)1994 Recorded Books, LLC

Critic reviews

  • Winner, National Book Award, 1973

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What listeners say about The Farthest Shore

Average customer ratings
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

The most poignantly esoteric of fantasy writers, sailing with the full force of the mage-winds of Earthsea!

This is a wonderful work of fantasy writing by an author who has influenced many other writers in the genre, such as Terry Pratchett. This book has some wonderful esoteric passages and weaves together plots from the previous stories. The narrator, who also did the unabridged recordings of JRR Tolkien's Hobbit and Lord of the Rings, is the perfect choice to do this book justice - if only Rob Inglis could have been persuaded to all the books in the Earthsea Cycle!

#MythologyInspired #Fables #Inspiring #Magical #Earthsea #tagsgiving #sweepstakes

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Beautiful story

I enjoyed feeling how strongly Gedd values life. His defence of it, and of death, and of the cycle that is the equilibrium was really moving. Finished the book on a plane and felt like I couldn’t do or read anything else for the next hour as I thought about it.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

great book

not as good as the first, but a good finish. The audio was a bit finicky for me at times.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

the farthest shore is still a mystery

I took the voyage twice, and I am still not sure why it was significant. I guess that is because this series is mostly about inner conflict and fighting against ghosts rather than a saga of adventure. As I am nearly finished with the next book, I can say it is more of the same. If you like to cogitate about character motivations, then this book is a good selection.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
  • D
  • 12-19-11

Lovely voice

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

This is my first audiobook: I bought it by accident! But a real treat in the evening to listen quietly with my eyes closed and imagine the magical world. I read the 1st book (also terrific) but this was so relaxing, even better than watching TV ( although it will take some doing to convince my husband!).

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

Mr Inglis did all of the characters quite well-- he has a beautiful voice--but I imagined Sparrowhawk a bit younger ( but the sexiness was in there!)

Any additional comments?

Very nice experience for my first audiobook!

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

beautiful, profound, poetic prose, timeless wisdom

beautiful, profound, poetic prose, timeless wisdom, heart wisdom, ancient lore, fantastic alternate universe, dragons n mages n apprentices and heirs to great responsibility

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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Thoroughly enjoyed this one.

My favorite in the series. The reader does a good job.
I recommend it as you continue your adventure to Earthsea.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Deep and Wonderful.

Loved this world and didn't want to leave it again. A hero's journey, good vs evil.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Love it

It is a classic novel and the writing style I think is beautiful. RIP Ursula you left a legacy that will be remembered for a long time

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

A Decent End to the Original Trilogy

If you could sum up The Farthest Shore in three words, what would they be?

Ged appears as a mature wizard of great power, but he faces a pervasive and insidious evil.

Would you be willing to try another book from Ursula K. Le Guin? Why or why not?

I have. Many. She is a great wordsmith. I've read all the Earthsea books and they are all good.

Have you listened to any of Rob Inglis’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Inglis is fantastic. Having him read both this and Lord of the Rings is a real blessing to the fans of both.

Any additional comments?

I'm not sure what I wanted out of this book. I first read it as a child and was a little ... I don't know. I expected something different, but I wasn't disappointed exactly. As an adult it resonates a bit more with me but it still has a kind of understated power. The Earthsea fantasies really are quite a bit different from just about any other fantasy you will read. They have a dignity and wisdom to them.

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