The structure of the story is similar to that of a traditional epic, although critics have also described it as subverting this genre in many ways, such as by making the protagonist dark-skinned in contrast to more typical white-skinned heroes.Ī Wizard of Earthsea received highly positive reviews, initially as a work for children and later among a general audience. The novel also carries Taoist themes about a fundamental balance in the universe of Earthsea, which wizards are supposed to maintain, closely tied to the idea that language and names have power to affect the material world and alter this balance. The book has often been described as a Bildungsroman, or coming-of-age story, as it explores Ged's process of learning to cope with power and come to terms with death. The novel follows Ged's journey as he seeks to be free of the creature. During a magical duel, Ged's spell goes awry and releases a shadow creature that attacks him. He displays great power while still a boy and joins a school of wizardry, where his prickly nature drives him into conflict with a fellow student. The story is set in the fictional archipelago of Earthsea and centers on a young mage named Ged, born in a village on the island of Gont. It is regarded as a classic of children's literature and of fantasy, within which it is widely influential. Le Guin and first published by the small press Parnassus in 1968. A Wizard of Earthsea is a fantasy novel written by American author Ursula K. The islands' names pull at my heart like no others: Roke, Perilane, Osskil. As The Guardian put it: 'Ursula Le Guin's world of Earthsea is a tangled skein of tiny islands cast on a vast sea.

Join the millions of fantasy readers who have explored these lands. They have received accolades such as the National Book Award, a Newbery Honor, the Nebula Award, and many more honors, commemorating their enduring place in the hearts and minds of readers and the literary world alike. Le Guin’s Earthsea novels are some of the most acclaimed and awarded works in literature. With stories as perennial and universally beloved as The Chronicles of Narnia and The Lord of The Rings-but also unlike anything but themselves-Ursula K. 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.

In his hunger for power and knowledge, he tampered with long-held secrets and loosed a terrible shadow upon the world. Ged was the greatest sorcerer in Earthsea, but in his youth he was the reckless Sparrowhawk. 'The magic of Earthsea is primal the lessons of Earthsea remain as potent, as wise, and as necessary as anyone could dream.' (Neil Gaiman)

The earthsea cycle book 1