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A Wizard of Earthsea
 
 
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A Wizard of Earthsea (Hardcover)

by Ursula Le Guin (Author) "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 ..." (more)
4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (233 customer reviews)

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Product Description

From Amazon.com

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.



From AudioFile

Ellison's narration absorbs the listener into the imaginary realm of Roke Island where Ged grows from a reckless, awkward boy to become the greatest sorcerer in all Earthsea. Besides offering a coming-of-age saga, Le Guin challenges listeners to consider the power of language: Ged's naming of things in the world creates that world. Harlan Ellison sounds like the guy next door, and his approach adds a touch of reality to this youthful fantasy story. Ellison's excellent pacing, volume, and use of dramatic pauses help weave a spell of enchantment and magic. Teens will find the way Le Guin allows Ged to grow into his power inspiring. S.C.A. © AudioFile 2002, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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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
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Customer Reviews

233 Reviews
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4.1 out of 5 stars (233 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars A Wizard of Earthsea, Feb 18 2002
By D'Marcus Beatty (Fayetteville, NC) - See all my reviews
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.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars A dry, shallow nothing of a book, Jul 19 1999
By A Customer
After being forced to read this book not once, but twice, once for seventh grade English and once for high school English II Honors, my verdict is the same. It is an uncompelling, poorly written waste of ink, paper, and most of all my precious time. Comparisons to Tolkien are entirely undeserved - like comparing Jewel to Bob Dylan. The characters are all unsympathetic, poorly drawn, and distant, the kind of interchangeable, assembly-line sorcerers and kings who inhabit the trashiest of dimestore fantasy novels. The writing and action are muddled and lack fluency - but there is no great contemplation or presentation of ideas to fill in the gaps between what passes here for action. The concepts at hand - the balance of magic, the evil within oneself - could be and have been better expressed. If these are themes you wish to explore, do not attempt to do so by reading this sophomoric, boring folderol. Rent "The Empire Strikes Back" and get a truly fine treatment of these themes.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars euthanasia, please, over this book, Oct 11 1998
Ursula K. LeGuin -- genius, or Scotch warming pan? The distinction becomes blurred sixty pages into the book, when LeGuin decides to give your human sensibilities such a thorough rogering that you only wish you had run for magistrate of Gornoth Sector-7 to condemn the alien spice-fiend who has apparently taken over Ms. -LeGuin's- sensibilities to life in a boldronathian vector jumble. What in the name of heaven is Earthsea? Where is the plot? Has postmodernism become prehistoricism? This is not a book. It's words on a pages between two covers fashioned from the most typical of sci-fi novel cover-stock paper. LeGuin's writing is so poor that it seems to legitimise every Tor Science Fiction series novel every written, but as to exactly how, well, i'm not sure, but my guess it has something to do with the space-time continuum, hill-gnomes, and "dark wizardry." And vector jumbles. Rubbish.
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 		 Most recent customer reviews

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 1 month ago 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... Read more
Published 19 months ago 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

5.0 out of 5 stars book is great, but 'ware the "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... Read more
Published on Nov 11 2003 by 1

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... Read more
Published on Nov 12 2002 by P. R. Foltz

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 Jul 26 2002 by L. McKelvy

5.0 out of 5 stars great book I loved it!!!
I think that this a good book for kids in fourth grade who like magic and fantasy. I'm in fourth grade and I loved the book. The books that come after it are good to.
Published on May 5 2002

5.0 out of 5 stars Heartfelt Entertainmen
A rousing story that chronicles the coming of age of a young man, much like any you would see on the street today. Read more
Published on April 28 2002 by Suk-Chul Seong

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