The island of Gont is a land famous for wizards. Of these, some say the greatest—and surely the greatest voyager—is the man called Sparrowhawk. As a reckless, awkward boy, he discovered the great power that was in him—with terrifying consequences. Tempted by pride to try spells beyond his means, Sparrowhawk lets loose an evil shadow-beast in his land. Only he can destroy it, and the quest leads him to the farthest corner of Earthsea.
A Wizard of Earthsea (The Earthsea Cycle)
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Often compared to Tolkien's Middle-earth or Lewis's Narnia, Ursula K. Le Guin's Earthsea is a stunning fantasy world that grabs quickly at our hearts, pulling us deeply into its imaginary realms. Four books (A Wizard of Earthsea, The Tombs of Atuan, The Farthest Shore, and Tehanu) tell the whole Earthsea cycle--a tale about a reckless, awkward boy named Sparrowhawk who becomes a wizard's apprentice after the wizard reveals Sparrowhawk's true name. The boy comes to realize that his fate may be far more important than he ever dreamed possible. Le Guin challenges her readers to think about the power of language, how in the act of naming the world around us we actually create that world. Teens, especially, will be inspired by the way Le Guin allows her characters to evolve and grow into their own powers.
In this first book, A Wizard of Earthsea readers will witness Sparrowhawk's moving rite of passage--when he discovers his true name and becomes a young man. Great challenges await Sparrowhawk, including an almost deadly battle with a sinister creature, a monster that may be his own shadow. --This text refers to the Mass Market Paperback edition.
Review
"The magic of Earthsea is primal; the lessons of Earthsea remain as potent, as wise, and as necessary as anyone could dream."—Neil Gaiman, author of The Sandman
"New and longtime Earthsea fans will be drawn to these impressive new editions."—Horn Book
"New and longtime Earthsea fans will be drawn to these impressive new editions."—Horn Book
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THE island of Gont, a single mountain that lifts its peak a mile above the storm-racked Northeast Sea, is a land famous for wizards. Read the first page Browse Sample Pages
Front Cover | Copyright | Excerpt | Back Cover
THE island of Gont, a single mountain that lifts its peak a mile above the storm-racked Northeast Sea, is a land famous for wizards. Read the first page Browse Sample Pages
Front Cover | Copyright | Excerpt | Back Cover
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Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By 1
Format:School & Library Binding
I purchased the library binding as I wanted to give it as a gift in hardcover. Sadly, quality is sinking in this country, bit by bit...the paper is dingy, dim recycled newsprint, almost Soviet in quality, and will probably yellow in a few years. Avoid the library binding. I returned it.
The book, of course, is great.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Mass Market Paperback
A Wizard of Earthsea is a mythical tale by Ursula K. LeGuin about the adventures of a young wizard to be, the curiously named Ged. The book chronicles his induction into magic and wizardry, guiding the reader through Ged's gradual growth and maturation as a wizard. However, the protagonist foolishly and pridefully delves further into magic than he is prepared for, and must correct his mistake in this magical coming of age story.
The presentation of the story, fantastic as it is, is wonderfully executed. The author adheres to the rules of fantasy writing by presenting the reader with clear, believable boundaries and rules to her mythical world, which allows the reader a measure of confidence and relation to otherwise unfamiliar territory. Her diction is comparable to that of familiar fairy tales, which is appropriate, even welcome considering the subject matter. LeGuin's matter-of-fact, sententious word style demands belief, her narration adopting the clipped but descriptively informative tones of a newscaster relaying a factual occurrence. It becomes easy for the audience to lose themselves in such a story; indeed, absorption is almost impossible to resist. The reader quickly transforms from readers into observers as her characters transcend their literary limitations.
The magic in this story has believable jargon, clear laws, and often visible repercussions that makes rampant use unethical for any moral practitioner. Were magic to exist, these elements of restraint would probably color and police its use, and its effect on the story is an increase in the tale's ability to suspend disbelief.
A Wizard of Earthsea is a delightful read for anyone, especially lovers of fiction and fantasy.
The presentation of the story, fantastic as it is, is wonderfully executed. The author adheres to the rules of fantasy writing by presenting the reader with clear, believable boundaries and rules to her mythical world, which allows the reader a measure of confidence and relation to otherwise unfamiliar territory. Her diction is comparable to that of familiar fairy tales, which is appropriate, even welcome considering the subject matter. LeGuin's matter-of-fact, sententious word style demands belief, her narration adopting the clipped but descriptively informative tones of a newscaster relaying a factual occurrence. It becomes easy for the audience to lose themselves in such a story; indeed, absorption is almost impossible to resist. The reader quickly transforms from readers into observers as her characters transcend their literary limitations.
The magic in this story has believable jargon, clear laws, and often visible repercussions that makes rampant use unethical for any moral practitioner. Were magic to exist, these elements of restraint would probably color and police its use, and its effect on the story is an increase in the tale's ability to suspend disbelief.
A Wizard of Earthsea is a delightful read for anyone, especially lovers of fiction and fantasy.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By neurotome
Format:Audio Cassette
I'm writing this review because JK Rowling's books about the Hogwarts School of Magic reminded me of this, one of the few perfect novels I've ever read.
It's not a light-hearted fairy tale, though it is "high fantasy." It's the story of Ged, from his childhood discovery of his wonderful yet terrible magical powers; to his education at the School of Wizardry on Roke Knoll. There he makes a misstep; overstepping his powers, he accidentally lets loose an evil creature from a shadow world. His self-imposed exile, journeys, and eventual maturation and triumph are written with a deft flair for the beauty and wonder of magic; yet Ms. LeGuin is even more masterful in depicting Ged's character: the young high achiever who must finally make his peace with his inner demons.
As a child, I loved it for the idea of a school of magic. I grew older, reread it during a dark teenage time, and cried when Ged finally confronted his inner shadow creature. Later, studying anatomy in medical school, I recalled Ged's long days in the Namer's high tower, learning the true names of things; and bent cheerfully to my task.
It still bears re-reading to this day. Readers who enjoy Tolkien, JK Rowling, or Alice Miller's "Drama of the Gifted Child" ought particularly to read it; and readers who didn't like "The Left Hand of Darkness" or "The Dispossessed" should give Ms. LeGuin another try, in this, her finest work. . It is one of my favorite novels and I recommend it to you wholeheartedly.
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4.1 out of 5 stars
Most recent customer reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars
W.o.ES from Atheneum Books publisher: poor quality
As a child, I read scores of fantasy novels. Surprisingly, I hadn't encountered this fabulous series until my eldest was old enough to read it. Read more
Published 2 months ago by sixswans
3.0 out of 5 stars
Not for everyone
As a librarian I read several different authors in several different genres. While this book may good for a young reader who does not like long tales of heroic deeds, it is not for... Read more
Published on July 10 2010 by Jessie
4.0 out of 5 stars
LeGuin's best, perhaps?
Oh, I have tried and tried to work up an enthusiasm for Ursula K. Le Guin's books! Being something of a sci-fi/fantasy fan since my youth Le Guin kept popping up. Read more
Published on Jan 2 2010 by B. A. Scharf
3.0 out of 5 stars
Not too bad..
I enjoyed reading this,wasnt the best ive read,but a good read forsure!The charactors seemed a bit fuzzy,but in a whole it was a good book. Read more
Published on Oct 23 2009 by Steve A. Niznik
5.0 out of 5 stars
A fantasy treasure
The 'Earthsea' books have to rank among the best written in the fantasy genre. The plot of 'A Wizard Of Earthsea' is deceptively simple, Le Guin's spare beautiful prose evoking the... Read more
Published on April 19 2008 by Irish1
4.0 out of 5 stars
One of my favourtie books. The best series I've read in awhile.
This is a good series. Its original, interesting, has a good story and is quite enjoyable. It is often compared to Lord of the Rings and Narnia but this series stands on its own... Read more
Published on Aug 19 2007 by Luke Dickey
5.0 out of 5 stars
amazing
I have loved this book since i first read it in grade 7, and I have read it several times since then. Read more
Published on Jan 26 2005
1.0 out of 5 stars
Stick with Harry Potter
When I first heard about Harry Potter, I immediately thought that the plot was expropriated from the Earthsea Trilogy (as it was called back then0> I was bored to tears by... Read more
Published on Jun 21 2003 by Erin McNamara
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wonderful Book, wonderful narrator
This is just a wonderful story, and it is masterfully interpreted and read by Ellison. I listened to this on my long commute each morning - and I found myself sitting in my car at... Read more
Published on Nov 12 2002 by Bromptonboy
5.0 out of 5 stars
A classic work from Le Guin
This has always been one of my favorties. Le Guin creates an independant world where magic is truly real. Read more
Published on July 26 2002 by L. McKelvy
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