First things first: I adore Ursula Le Guin’s work. I’ve enjoyed every book I’ve read of hers so far (you can read my reviews of Lavinia, Changing Planes, and The Tombs of Atuan here at the blog), and I usually read them shortly after purchasing because I can’t wait to find out where her imagination will take me next. The latter point explains why I was shocked when I couldn’t recall a thing about Tales From Earthsea, even though I swore I’d read it a couple years ago. Now I have, and I can say with confidence that it’s found a place in my heart and bookshelf next to Le Guin’s full-length novels.Tales From Earthsea expands the Earthsea universe with five short stories taking place before and in between Le Guin’s previously written novels. Two novellas bookend the collection: “The Finder,” which recounts the life of the mage Medra, including his role in the founding of the prestigious wizardry school on Roke Island; and “Dragonfly,” where the eponymous heroine defies the long-held “Rule of Roke” (prohibiting women from receiving formal training on magic) while discovering her true identity. The other three stories explore a young man’s desire to follow his heart instead of others’ expectations (“Darkrose and Diamond”) and bring back beloved characters such as the wizard Ged (“On The High Marsh”) and his first mentor Ogion (“The Bones of the Earth”). Finally, “A Description of Earthsea” is Le Guin’s equivalent to Tolkein’s Middle-Earth appendices, presenting some of the author’s world-building and history of the lands she’s so vividly created.Overall, I enjoyed Tales From Earthsea, though two of its tales touched me more deeply than I would have ever imagined. I really connected with Medra in “The Finder,” as he evolved from a vengeful untrained boy-wizard to a courageous, empathetic man who respected and feared his gift. When Medra was in danger, I was terrified for him; and when the darkness and suffering he endured had broken him down to his state in the final “chapter,” my heart wept for him. “On The High Marsh” evoked a similar reaction from me with Otak / Irioth. He comes across as kindly yet deeply troubled at first, but it’s not until late in the story that I understood his discreet search for self-redemption and prayed for his success. The only tale that didn’t resonate with me was “The Bones of the Earth.” It bored me after a few pages, though in hindsight I’ve had a hard time pinpointing why.What I love most about Le Guin’s work, though, is her distinctive writing style. Graceful yet clear, concise yet at times abstract, it strikes a delicate balance between imagery, wisdom, and the soul. While writing short stories requires a different knack than writing novels, the prose in Tales From Earthsea doesn’t suffer from the shorter length or timespan covered or the snappy pacing. It’s similar to the ease Le Guin shows when switching between fantasy and science fiction – and witnessing such consistency from a versatile writer is a rare delight.And when an author you love continues to surprise you each time – or spark possible short story ideas for your own work (*raises her hand high*) – you know they’re a master of their craft. Tales From Earthsea is yet another jewel to add to Le Guin’s writing crown. She offers new glimpses into the people, settings, and conflicts of Earthsea, while maintaining the spirit that makes this beguiling universe – and Le Guin’s writing in general – so unique and beautiful. Long-time “visitors” of Earthsea will relish this volume and its insights. For newbies, however, I recommend reading the first four Earthsea books (A Wizard of Earthsea, The Tombs of Atuan, The Farthest Shore, and Tehanu) before reading Tales From Earthsea because of the returning characters and concepts from the earlier novels.NOTE: The Studio Ghibli / Goro Miyazaki film “Tales From Earthsea” isn’t based on the book Tales From Earthsea. Instead, it’s loosely adapted from Ursula Le Guin’s third Earthsea novel The Farthest Shore and contains elements and characters from other Earthsea novels.
The fifth book in Le Guin's Earthsea series is a collection of short stories instead of a novel. This change provides a different lens to see her world in, and is very welcome. However, this book starts off a bit more darker and mature, something that was started at the end of "Tehanu." While not detrimental, the series does feel a bit more adult, and some may dislike that shift. This is most likely because 30 real-time years have passed since Le Guin started the series. The five stories are organized chronologically, starting from before the events of her first book to after the fourth. While Le Guin recommends reading the first books to get to this story, I don't think reading the first three would ruin the rest of the series for you.The first story, "The Finder," tells of the founding of the School on Roke. This story does what Le Guin tried to do in Tehanu more successfully; it presents a more gender equal worldview, without feeling tacked on. She visits history to show how women have been influential, whereas in Tehanu she tries to cram them in as an afterthought. The story itself is intriguing, and lays the groundwork for the series without feeling hokey. Also there is some beautiful writing describing Otter seeing the layers under the earth."Darkrose and Diamond" is the worst story in the collection. This is Le Guin, so it's really not that bad, but in comparison it fails to live up to the other four. The story is overall cliched; a young boy doesn't want to work the family business and instead wants to play music. He has a forbidden lover his father also doesn't approve of. The boy does provide an example of wizardry outside of Roke that is not celibate, but the story lacked originality, something Le Guin excels at. The themes in this story have been told by her before in other Earthsea stories, and better. And because this story is not tied to any other, you wouldn't miss anything by skipping it. "The Bones of the Earth" tells Ogion's battle with the earthquake. This one gives some backstory on Ogion and how he became the man he was at the start of this series. While not deeply revealing, it does provide some character development and insight in Ogion, shows that no man can really do anything alone, and doesn't outstay it's welcome. If this story had been longer, I would have disliked it, but the length is perfect for the small story Le Guin wants to tell.The fourth story is my favorite in the collection. "On the High Marsh" provides a better view of the common life in Earthsea, better than the second story tried to do. The mystery of the main character's haunted past and the beautiful marshy landscape the story takes place in provided a great atmosphere for the whole story. This story shows that the desire to have power over others and challenge others can only be overcome by showing that power used to help instead of hurt. Ged couldn't show him that; Irioth had to find out for himself.The last story, "Dragonfly," ties in to "The Farthest Shore" and "Tehanu," as well as setting up the stage for the last book. This story beings about new revelations with dragons and women, while continuing the story of the Summoner that returned to life. Dragonfly herself is a unique character and fun to read about, and it's great to see her try to stomp all over the established world, espeically on Roke. I didn't think Ivory's motivation to help her was very well established, but the story still worked. This story starts the final act of the series as a whole, making the next book ever more anticipated.Lastly, aside from the stories, the final section on Earthsea whets my appetite for more information on the world of Earthsea. The description is of the islands, peoples, languages, and really only scratches the surface. It reminded me of a light version of the Appendices of the Lord of the Rings trilogy. If Le Guin were to write a whole book like that, I would love to read it. As a final note, the map on the inside cover of the hardback edition is marvelous. I don't know if the paperback has the same map, but it's easily the best map of Earthsea yet.
What do You think about Tales From Earthsea (2003)?
I got this as a gift, from a friend who knew I'd read the Earthsea books (the first four) more than once.These tales are based on the world of Earthsea, and the author reports that they are best read 'after' reading the first four novels of the Earthsea collection. I would concur, as it adds the necessary depth and context for entering the world of these tales.The first 'tale' in this book is called "The Finder"... and I found myself quietly weeping near the end of it. Stunning, to be moved so. It made me want to put the book down physically and stop thinking... to just explore the emotion that was flowing through my body. And to say a quiet Thank You to Ms. LeGuin for her incredible prose.If you enjoyed the Earthsea books, you will find this set of tales a great addition. If you haven't read the Earthsea books, what are you waiting for? Do NOT be put off by the categorization of "Genre: Fantasy."Ms. Le Guin is and always has been a woman who can challenge our hidden assumptions about life, culture, and the meaning of living as a human being in chaotic world situations. She's just clothed her wonderful explorations in a different milieu than contemporary times.
—Lisa
Great addition to the Earthsea universe. Le Guin manages to tell short stories advancing the larger narrative that really give you the feeling this is a rich and full world that you're peeking into here and there, and beyond the edges of the books it is complete and living. I also enjoyed her foreword, maybe more than the stories themselves, because of her articulate thoughts on the relationship between fiction and history and fictional histories and mythologies. The Earthsea books are successful fiction because they contain and illustrate truths, which good fiction should. I'm moving right along to the next book.
—Katie
This followed Tehanu after another long break and so I've only read it twice and don't have the same relationship to it as I do with the older Earthsea books.Somehow this book is more than the sum of its parts; the individual stories are good but not excellent. The essay on Earthsea is interesting but because it is a set of working notes instead of a story it lacks lustre. Yet at the end of the book I felt that I knew Earthsea much better than at the start. It is a place of magic and epic adventure but also a place where people have ordinary problems. It is a place where history has been re-written, power has been fought over, usurped, stolen. A place where the truth of events is often unknown and myth and legend take its place. It's a lot like here, really, because it's populated by humans. Then again, it is very different because the humans have magic and there are dragons...It was delightful to encounter Ged again, though in a story not really his. The history of Roke was startling and an excellent way to weave some constructive Feminism into Earthsea, after the unremitting negativity of Tehanu. The story of Irian has an annoying protagonist switch but otherwise serves well to link Tehanu back into the main theme of the Earthsea novels, a bridge to the final book, The Other Wind, as LeGuin says.It was fun to learn the full story behind the legends and ballads, about Morred, his Enemy and Elfarren and also the complete story of Erreth-Akbe, the Ring and Orm. This book seems best when seen as part of the whole, the fifth of six volumes, rather than standing alone.
—Robert
