Tales from Earthsea [Paperback]

Ursula K Le Guin (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 3, 2003

These five superlative, evocative and enchanting stories range from a few hundred years before A Wizard of Earthsea to just before The Other Wind, and feature some of Le Guin's most popular characters, including the Wizard Ged himself. The stories are rounded off with an essay about Earthsea's history and people.No Earthsea fan will want to be without this magical collection.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Le Guin is like Tolkien in the depth and breadth of her imagination...and here for all those who have admired her epic storytelling, comes five new tales, where, Le Guin writes in the forward, a mere glimpse at the place told me that things had been happening while I wasn't looking...Throughout the book there is a continued sense of the substantiality of her imagination." - Nicci Gerrard The Observer, 27 Oct 02 "Ursula LeGuin's Earthsea tales are always a delight and her latest collection - an essay and five stories - is no exception. These thought-provoking tales...take some telling swipes at the 'commodified fantasy' that dominates the market these days...Unlike some of the genre's former 'greats', Le Guin continues to improve with age." Starburst "...as immersive and well written as anything LeGuin has done" SFX "...the five stories here provide a varied and enjoyable introduction to the newcomer, s much as the seasoned traveller...And in the end it's [LeGuin's] more gentle and thoughtful approach which sets the series apart from much of the fantasy mush that followed in Tolkien's wake." Edge "...vivid and finely crafted additions to the saga, all written in Le Guin's familiar beautiful prose and bound to enthrall Earthsea fans of all ages." Good Book Guide, 1 Dec 02 "...a collection of stories that takes the reader back into the history of Earthsea, LeGuin's remarkable archipelago where dragons and humans are equally believeable." Erica Wagner The Times, 7 Dec 02 "Earthsea fans will not be disappointed with these five enchanted tales which have been yet again magically woven by the mistress of fantasy." School Librarian, Summer 03 --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Ursula Le Guin is one of the finest writers of our time. Her books have attracted millions of devoted readers and won many awards, including the National Book Award, the Hugo and Nebula Awards and a Newbury Honor. Among her novels The Left Hand of Darkness, The Dispossessed and the six books of Earthsea have already attained undisputed classic status; and her latest series, the Annals of the Western Shore is joining them. She lives in Portland, Oregon.

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Dolphin Paperbacks; New Ed edition (November 3, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1842552147
• ISBN-13: 978-1842552148
• Product Dimensions: 5.1 x 0.8 x 7.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.1 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,991,057 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must-read for all Ursula Le Guin fans!, September 1, 2005

By 

Hilde Larsen "tindaloo" (Norway) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Tales from Earthsea (Paperback)

This is a collection of shortstories and one reavealing novella! If you loved the books, and the recent mini-tvseries, about Ged and his journey through Earthsea, I highly reccomend this book; "Tales from Earthsea". The previous books in the series are "A Wizard of Earthsea, "The Tombs of Atuan", "The Farthest Shore" and "Tehanu" - Or you can get theese four first books in one volume as; "The Earthsea Quartet".

The last book in the series is "The Other Wind". And "Tales from Earthsea" is best read between the quartet & "The Other Wind".

On the cover of this book it says that Le Guin has, and I quote; 'held readers enthralled for more than three decades...'

I totally agree - It's a magical world, one wich I've enjoyed travelling through loads of times, in my childhood, teenage years, and even now - at 29 years of age - I still love the fantastic tales of magic, love and dragons!

This book is a good read - you wont be able to put it down. It can be read by people of all ages, and it stands on its own - you don't neccessarily have to read the other books :) The five magical stories about Earthsea reveals many interesting and useful facts to the addicted fan. It has a description of Earthsea and its people as well! Surely you must read it :) Take Care & Have fun reading!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable and yet compelling, June 19, 2010

By 

Kurt A. Johnson (North-Central Illinois, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Tales from Earthsea (Paperback)

This book is a collection of five short stories that Ursula Le Guin wrote about her world, Earthsea. "The Finder" is the earliest set story, showing the founding of the wizard community on Roke. "Darkrose and Diamond" that could have happened just about anywhere during the Earthsea books, and it is a tale of the love of magic, and the magic of love. "The Bones of the Earth" tells how Ogion (Ged's master) stopped an earthquake. "On the High Marsh" tells of Ged and Irioth, who nearly overthrew the wizards of Roke. And finally, "Dragonfly" tells of Irian, who featured so large in The Other Wind, and her confrontation with Thorion, the Summoner who summoned himself back from death.

I really enjoyed these stories. As with so much of Ursula Le Guin's writings, they are enjoyable and yet compelling. In particular, though, I am sorry that I read this book after The Other Wind. The last two stories are actually referenced in that book, and it would have been nice to read them before that book. Therefore, let me recommend this book to you, and furthermore recommend that you read it *before* The Other Wind.

5.0 out of 5 stars beautifully written, January 1, 2009

By 

Maya Rose (Houston, TX) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tales from Earthsea (Paperback)

If you have enjoyed other earthsea books, this is a MUST. It is probably my favorite Ursula LG book. Instead of condemning -- or condoning -- the sexist world she initially created, Ursula LG masterfully explains its history. Brilliant. And then she creates a bridge to the future.

Read after Tehanu (or skip that one, it's dark and not redeeming) and before Another Wind.