A Wizard of Earthsea

The Earthsea Cycle, Book 1

By: Ursula K. Le Guin

Narrated by: Rob Inglis

Winner of the Boston Globe–Horn Book Award

Winner of the Lewis Carroll Shelf Award

One of TIME's 100 Best Fantasy Books of All Time

Ged was the greatest sorcerer in Earthsea, but in his youth he was the reckless Sparrowhawk. In his hunger for power and knowledge, he tampered with long held secrets and loosed a terrible shadow upon the world. This is the tumultuous tale of his testing, how he mastered the mighty words of power, tamed an ancient dragon, and crossed death's threshold to restore the balance.

"The magic of Earthsea is primal; the lessons of Earthsea remain as potent, as wise, and as necessary as anyone could dream."—Neil Gaiman

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

A classic: 2018=50 years in print

I first read this in the 70s. It was among the first fantasy novels I encountered, and hooked me into the gene. It was a delight to encounter it once again.

These days we tend to compare magic systems and world building, but when LeGuin was writing it was as one of the pioneers of modern fantasy. If it seems familiar at times, that would be because she helped to chart these waters. After 40 years, I had forgotten much of the story. To me, it still stands strong and tall on its own.

As this is an old school audio book, the narrator doesn't use character voices, and apparently didn't need to. His resonate deep voice carries the story along in a strong, clear, captivating tone.

There was a curious moment when out of nowhere came instructions to switch to the second cassette. But that adds to the old school charm of the book.

I would recommend this book to people who can enjoy a fantasy book for more than its action. It is appropriate for YA, with any dark elements being fairly tame. There is a coming of age element to the book. In fact, it has many delightful layers of elements to uncover if you choose to dig in. But some will want to know that there is not a significant love interest.

A good take on a classic book

Would you listen to A Wizard of Earthsea again? Why?

Yes, the book is as good as I remember as a child.

What was one of the most memorable moments of A Wizard of Earthsea?

The whole world was memorable. Like revisiting an old friend after a long absence.

What do you think the narrator could have done better?

The range of voices could be better. More emotion could be added to the reading, although this may be due to the lyrical Tolkien-esque style of the writing.

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

No.

Any additional comments?

This is a classic that I read as a child that still holds up. If you've never read the book or series you owe it to yourself. The pacing is slower than a lot of tradtional fantasy and it is still formulaic, but it works. It is more along the lines of Lord of the Rings than current faster paced novels. This is the novel that really popularized the use of true names as a magic system, for that alone it's a classic.

Slow

I'm not sure I would have gotten through this book had I not had piles of laundry and ironing and dishes. Yup. I listened while I cleaned. And even though my cleaning was mind numbing, I would still zone out listening to this book. It was very slow. The hero, Ged, wasn't very likable. Ged was kind of a punk. He did a lot of stupid stuff, and the only points he won from me came from being Vetch's friend.

The book did pick up steam, so I was curious enough to figure out what happens. Although what happens is tied up and ended a little too simply. And I was looking forward to some falling action, and there wasn't much of this either.

So that being said. There are some interesting question the book poses. Can a young person, though pride or arrogance or another failing, inadvertently ruin their life--like for good? How do we place our trust in others? And how do we arrive at the decision to place our trust in them? Just because we don't know how to do something, should that keep us from trying? What's in a name?

Of course the world building of this fantasy is impressive (and tedious). Also irksome how few women are in this book. It rankles that in an entire school for magic learning there are no girls and in among all these wise wizards and mages there are no women. Sure there are disreputable female characters doing some magic.

I knew it was a seminal work. Also knew it was part of a trilogy, but I have zero interest in hearing anymore about Ged.

not great

Could be so much better..this is a seminal work -certainly deserving of a voice far more interpretive.. I don't understand why the narrator is British. From the cartoon movie to this, all of LeGuins work is poorly represented. It's not bad..it's just not great..

The Earthsea Cycle, a Necessary Listen

The Earthsea Cycle is a series that has been with me my whole life. It is, next to Tolkien, one of the richest fantasy worlds I have ever encountered, which, I suppose, speaks more to my lifelong attachment than anything else. However, these books are undoubtedly epic fantasy in the tolkienian tradition.
A Wizard of Earthsea, the first book in the cycle, is about a boy who goes to wizard school???remember, this is long before harry Potter was ever thought of. Ged, or Sparrowhawk as he is called, arrives at the island of roke ready to learn the art magic. His exceptional skill and excessive pride cause him to release a shadow from Unlife during a test of power against his rival. The shadow attacks Ged, leaving him injured, scarred, and uncertain of his skill. After leaving the school with his staff that marks him as a wizard, Ged at first lives in fear of the Shadow that will find him and consume him if it can, until he chooses to hunt the thing across the archipelago of Earthsea.
leGuin???s Earthsea Cycle can seem unrelentingly serious at times, but these are meditative fantasies that Give you characters you have to deal with. No fast-food fantasy here.
What makes this favourite of mine even better is that it???s read by Rob Inglis, one of my favourite readers. Mr. Inglis also reads The tombs of Atuan and the Farthest Shore, the second and third books in the Earthsea Cycle. Five stars of five for this exceptional book and wonderful reader.