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Ursula K. Le Guin

A Wizard Of Earthsea (The Earthsea Cycle, 1) Paperback – September 11, 2012

by Ursula K. Le Guin (Author)

4,344 ratings

Book 1 of 6: The Earthsea Cycle

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Originally published in 1968, Ursula K. Le Guin’s A Wizard of Earthsea marks the first of the six now beloved Earthsea titles. 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.

Reading age

10+ years, from customers
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264 pages
Language

English
Grade level

7 - 9
Lexile measure

1150L
Dimensions

5.5 x 0.62 x 8.25 inches
Publisher

Clarion Books
Publication date

September 11, 2012
ISBN-10

0547722028
ISBN-13

978-0547722023
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Popular Highlights in this book

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But need alone is not enough to set power free: there must be knowledge.
Highlighted by 2,715 Kindle readers
Have you never thought how danger must surround power as shadow does light?
Highlighted by 1,806 Kindle readers
“Only in silence the word, only in dark the light, only in dying life: bright the hawk’s flight on the empty sky.”
Highlighted by 1,244 Kindle readers

Editorial Reviews

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 —

About the Author

URSULA K. LE GUIN was born in Berkeley, California, in 1929, and passed away in Portland, Oregon, in 2018. She published over sixty books of fiction, nonfiction, poetry, drama, children’s literature, and translation. She was the recipient of a National Book Award, six Hugo and five Nebula awards, and was inducted into the American Academy of Arts and Letters.

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Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Clarion Books; Reissue edition (September 11, 2012)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 264 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0547722028
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0547722023
Reading age ‏ : ‎ 10+ years, from customers
Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ 1150L
Grade level ‏ : ‎ 7 - 9
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 8.3 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 0.62 x 8.25 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #10,608 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #55 in Teen & Young Adult Myths & Legends
- #72 in Teen & Young Adult Wizards & Witches Fantasy
- #98 in Teen & Young Adult Coming of Age Fantasy

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Ursula K. Le Guin

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Ursula Kroeber Le Guin (US /ˈɜːrsələ ˈkroʊbər ləˈɡwɪn/; born October 21, 1929) is an American author of novels, children's books, and short stories, mainly in the genres of fantasy and science fiction. She has also written poetry and essays. First published in the 1960s, her work has often depicted futuristic or imaginary alternative worlds in politics, the natural environment, gender, religion, sexuality and ethnography.

She influenced such Booker Prize winners and other writers as Salman Rushdie and David Mitchell – and notable science fiction and fantasy writers including Neil Gaiman and Iain Banks. She has won the Hugo Award, Nebula Award, Locus Award, and World Fantasy Award, each more than once. In 2014, she was awarded the National Book Foundation Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters. Le Guin has resided in Portland, Oregon since 1959.

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Customer reviews

5 star		63%
4 star		22%
3 star		10%
2 star		3%
1 star		2%

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Joseph Finley

Unique in its day and ahead of its time

Reviewed in the United States on January 30, 2018

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Re-reading this book reminded me of how much it influenced fantasy fiction going forward. Long before Hogwarts, Le Guin gave us the wizarding school of Roke. This was always my favorite part of the story. The novel's protagonist, Ged, becomes a student at Roke under the tutelage of nine master wizards, all of whom may have helped inspire, at least in a faint sense, the professors of Harry Potter's school of wizardry and witchcraft. But that is where the similarities end.

Ged is a flawed hero. Fueled by a rivalry with a fellow student, Ged's pride leads him to show off his power by practicing dark and forbidden magic. He ends up unleashing a shadow, and Ged's quest to ultimately hunt down this demon drives the rest of the novel. In this sense, the story is deeply personal. Even though it covers years of Ged's life, there is nothing epic about this tale. The story concerns Ged, and Ged alone.

In 1968, this story would have seemed vastly different than Tolkien's "The Lord of the Rings" or the sword and sorcery tales of Poul Anderson and Michael Moorcock. For one, there is nothing European about Earthsea. Rather, the people of its archipelago appear more like one might imagine hailing off the coasts of Africa, India, or Asia. Also, there's nary a sword to be found in "A Wizard of Earthsea." Instead, it's all about wizards, and wizards carry staves.

A story about wizards is naturally all about magic, and Le Guin creates one of the most interesting magic systems ever made, all based on the true name of things. A wizard who knows a thing's true name has power over it, and Le Guin harkens back to that theme throughout her tale. Reading it, I can't help but think it inspired modern fantasy like "The Name of the Wind," which employs a similar magic system.

Despite a few bouts of lengthy exposition, and conflict that waxes and wanes maybe more than it should, I was drawn into a story as if I was reading it for the first time. I wish it had not taken news of Le Guin's passing remind me of these tales, but I'm fortunate it did. "A Wizard of Earthsea" is a true classic, unique in its day and far ahead of its time. For anyone, particularly those who want to explore one of the roots from which modern fantasy was born, I highly recommend it.

177 people found this helpful

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J. A. Flood

A near perfect tale.

Reviewed in the United States on March 8, 2018

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I did not know when I started reading that the Earthsea books were written for teenagers. Although the language was paired down, streamlined, the prose did not feel dumbed-down as many YA novels can. It simply moved, effortlessly, forward carrying me along the rise and fall of the story like Ged’s magewind driven boat over the open sea.

I’m disappointed only in myself for waiting so long to read this swift, engaging book.

Le Guin’s world building is nearly as deep as Tolkien’s and leaves the reader wanting to know so much more about Earthsea and its histories, cultures and dragons. I look forward to continuing my journey into this compelling, mysterious world.

74 people found this helpful

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LynnyMNY

A terrific book by a great writer

Reviewed in the United States on May 24, 2021

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I had heard of this book for the first time years ago but had never read Le Guin. I was excited to learn it was assigned for a book group, and I was not disappointed. Le Guin is a terrific writer and the story is suspenseful and well told. I liked the fact that the hero was flawed and had to learn many lessons the hard way. The important thing is that he does learn and grows as the story progresses, and that makes it very satisfying. I can imagine that young boys would especially enjoy it.

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Bookwoody

If fantasy is your thing, read this. LeGuin is a master.

Reviewed in the United States on November 2, 2018

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Ursula LeGuin, who died this past January, was one of the most imaginative contemporary writers of any genre. A gifted world-builder, she infused ethical and moral dilemmas into her science fiction which gave it a legitimacy beyond others of her genre. In "Left Hand of Darkness" people have gender only when they go into heat, and it may be switch every time it occurs. A science fiction writer once told me that good science fiction starts with "What if...?" and LeGuin's What If's always had gravitas beyond empire conquest or flying cars. This book, A Wizard of Earthsea, came about because LeGuin's publisher asked for a Young Adult novel. LeGuin wasn't confident she could pull it off. Of course she did with enough to spare that it became I wildly successful succession of books. The Earthsea series. This is the first. Recommend it to any young adult who likes fantasy.

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Sam King

A unique exploration of humans and meaning

Reviewed in the United States on December 16, 2012

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"A Wizard of Earthsea" may come off as following the traditional archetype of a wizard coming of age in wizarding school and fighting evil, but there are quite a few things that make it unique.

For one, when Le Guin wrote the book, that wasn't an archetype. Young adult fantasy didn't really exist then.

Also, the book doesn't feature war. Le Guin thinks that stories of wars between good versus evil are over-told and that there are more important stories to tell. The story is about Ged, the protagonist, coming of age, realizing his shortcomings, and overcoming and accepting his personal demons. The conflicts are no less epic and the victories no less sweet for the lack of war.

One of the reviews that I read before reading "A Wizard of Earthsea" included the line, "A 1968 book with a non-white hero! LOVE." Being a white person, I might not have even noticed that fact if I hadn't read the review, but it was both true and heartening.

The writing style was different than I'm used to. It had an old-fashioned fantastical lyrical storybook feel. It was interesting seeing a different style, but I think that, while I appreciated the lyricalness, I prefer less whimsical styles.

Overall, a very good exploration of humans and meaning.

4 people found this helpful

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Kindle Customer

Just seems like a mediocre book to me

Reviewed in the United States on April 17, 2018

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After seeing this series on all the top fantasy lists I decided to give it a read. Just seems like a mediocre book to me. I got through it expecting a climax or revelation. *Spoiler alert* main character comes from a poor village, starts learning magic. Goes to a prestigious magic school. Then starts killing dragons with 0 consequences and chases his shadow for a while then hugs it. That's the whole story right there.

30 people found this helpful

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Top reviews from other countries

Randal

and I like reading on kindle these days

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 11, 2017

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I still have my hardback copy of this bought back in 1971, but I wanted to read it again, and I like reading on kindle these days, hence I bought the electronic version. This is the first in a fabulous trilogy. (I'm less keen on the fourth book written some years later. Stick with the trilogy!) One of the best books/trilogies ever on the consequences of magic, and about taking responsibilities for our actions. Deep characterisation and a beautifully drawn world. Also a thrilling adventure. I can't recommend it highly enough.

20 people found this helpful

Max Speed

I read this 40 years ago - a joy to rediscover it

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 23, 2020

Verified Purchase

This book, the first of a trilogy, has inspired so many other authors, from Neil Gaiman to Ian Banks, or even underpinning the world of Harry Potter. A must read of the magical fantasy coming of age genre, complete with a magical school.

I first read this when I was 11 or 12 years old, I’ve just now re-read it, and, nostalgia aside, it is an amazing work. I was struck now by the quality of the writing, beautifully formed sentences, built from unusual and evocative words. And in this book, words have real power, naming a creature or object is what gives magical power over it.

So if you enjoy fantasy, magic & self-discovery, this is a must read to discover the author who inspired so many after her.

8 people found this helpful

Peter James West

An interesting story told with great skill

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 12, 2019

Verified Purchase

This is the first Ursula K. Le Guin story I have read. It was written in 1968, pre-dating my birth. The story is about a young boy who becomes a mage, learns his trade and makes some pretty terrible mistakes along the way.

A large part of the book features the boy Ged searching for a mysterious entity that he has unwhittingly unleashed upon the world.
For a while I thought he might have been looking for a consistent point of view because it certainly wandered all over the place, roaming between multiple characters and the omnipresent voice often within the same scene. In a modern novel this would be frowned upon but I guess in 1968, authors were playing with a very different rule book.

Luckily this author handled the odd style well and enriched the story with many beautiful details about the characters and settings. Some of the description added real depth to the story. I enjoyed this story quite a bit.

5 people found this helpful

E. Hart

Never heard of it but such a gen

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 11, 2022

Verified Purchase

This is truly perfect book from towards the end of classics fantasy. This book he's written with an unusual style. Third person omnipotent. But this tells the story of how a young boy becomes a wizard and his growth as a person.

Open till halfway through the book actually hated the main character; proud and arrogant. But then halfway through the book something happened which changes and leads him on a quest to the rest of the novel. This book is like a meditation.

This is a story of a young boy who finds out he is a powerful wizard, who goes to a magical School goes on the quest to confront an enemy that is hunting him but has to die in order to defeat that enemy. This is not the story of Harry potter but the story of sparrow hawk. Was published in 1968. Although TH White introduce the idea of a wizard School, it's actually the author of this book that develops into a proper concrete idea. This is the progenitor of wizard school novels.

Although this book reads like an anthology there is a definite through line of learning of history one of the greatest wizards of earthsea.

Best fantasy book I have ever read.

Alexander

I did very much enjoy seeing the character development of Ged from the proud ...

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 20, 2018

Verified Purchase

Firstly, the book is shorter than I expected, completing it in four sittings over the course of three days. This is not necessarily a negative point but if you’re looking for a book to entertain you for the duration of a nine-hour flight, this isn’t it.

The world Le Guin has created is vivid and individual, drawing me in very early on. I found I wanted to know more about the workings of the archipelago world of Earthsea. The first half of the book does this well, describing in detail the cultures and scenery of the islands of Earthsea. Unfortunately, despite continuing to travel to new lands. The depth of description is lost somewhat during the progression of the plot I feel this is probably a casualty of the books length, but perhaps does lend to the faster pacing of the second half.

I did very much enjoy seeing the character development of Ged from the proud arrogance of youth to the quiet insight of experience. Again, some of the other characters I would have liked to have learned more about and seen similar development over the passage of the book.

In summary, I thoroughly enjoyed A Wizard of Earthsea, it manages to fit comfortably within the fantasy genre while retaining a unique setting and culture. Perhaps my sole complaint being there wasn’t enough of it, which is probably not a bad thing.

8 people found this helpful

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