THE FARTHEST SHORE, A NOVEL BY URSULA K. LE GUIN (BOOK REVIEW)

 Hello dear readers and fellow bloggers! In this post, I'll review The Farthest Shore, a fantasy coming of age (bildungsroman) novel by Ursula K. Le Guin.  Published in 1972 and set in the Earthsea fantasy land, The Farthest Shore is the third book in the series/saga known as Earthsea Cycle.  What about the first two? The first book in the series is A Wizard of Earthsea. Focused on young Ged, the first novel introduces us to the world of Earthsea and the school of magic. While sequel, The Tombs of Atuan, focuses on a young female protagonist Tenar, it also features Ged, the protagonist from the first novel. Both of these Earthsea novels feature a young protagonist and fall into the bildungsroman genre. The third one is no exception. While Ged again has an important role to play, the third novel in the series is focused on young protagonist Arren. I was a little sad when I realized that Tenar doesn't appear in this third novel, but I heard she's the heroine of the fourth one, so I guess all is good, after all. 

In my last post, I reviewed The Tombs of Atuan, novel by Urusla K. Le Guin and not too long ago I reviewed A Wizard of Earthsea as well. The Earthsea Cycle or Saga is not really a trilogy, but it is sometimes referred to that way since the series took a two decade long publishing pause. It is because the fourth Earthsea novel was published two decades after  the third one, that The Farthest Shore is sometimes referred to (and  sold / marketed) as the final book in the Earthsea trilogy.  As you know, I read these two novels in the order of publishing and that's their natural chronological order as well. I still haven't read the fourth novel, but I'm looking forward to it. 

Chronologically, The Farthest Shore takes place several decades after The Tombs of Atuan. While it continues the story of the mage Ged, it also focuses on the young protagonist Arran, so we have another 'coming of age' story. Just like Ged and Tenar had to decide whether to trust one another in the second book, so do Ged and Arran in this one.  

What else should you know about this third novel in the series besides that it was well received? Perhaps that it won the 1973 National Book Award in category Children's Books. Moreover, Studio Ghibli's animated film Tales from Earthsea was based mostly on this novel. I personally haven't seen it, but the word on the street is that it's quite different from the book, but still it has its fans. Now when it comes to the photographs to go along with this review, I couldn't decide on an outfit that would match the cover of this book, so I just made some collages with the photographs I had in my archives. Scroll down to see and read more. 

Originally I was a little disappointed to see Tenar missing from the book, mostly because she and Ged were such an interesting combination. Tenar isn't even mentioned in this third novel. While Ged was a grown up in the second novel, now he is a mature man, the head mage of the wizard school. The young protagonist Arran, captured my heart almost immediately, but I still missed Tenar. 

THE FARTHEST SHORE, 

A NOVEL BY URSULA K. LE GUIN 4.4 /5

I immensely enjoyed this novel. The plot of the story is easy to follow. The language is beautifully simple, logical and descriptive, and yet still wonderfully poetical at times. Ursula K. Le Guin is a master when it comes to expressing profound thoughts with simple words. It's amazing how much she manages to say with little words. Moreover, the story is both engaging and philosophical. The narrative is told from the third person perspective, but we mostly see the world through eyes of young Arren with Ged serving as the leader and mentor. 

“For discipline is the channel in which our acts run strong and deep; where there is no direction, the deeds of men run shallow and wander and are wasted.”

THIS NOVEL EXPLORES THEMES SUCH AS THE MORALITY OF ACTION AND USAGE OF POWER

Like the previous books in the series, this novel examines the themes of personal responsibility, the usage of power and the morality of action. It questions not only when and how we should we act, but also why should we act. Indeed, this novel continues exploring  Taoist themes presented in the previous novels. If you have a look at the following quote from the author herself, you'll see how worried she was about human greed: 

“Evil, in this book, has an immediate, ugly, human shape, because I saw evil not as some horde of foreign demons with bad teeth and superweapons but as an insidious and ever-present enemy in my own daily life in my own country: the ruinous irresponsibility of greed.” Ursula K. Le Guin

The importance of making personal choices for good and going on an inner journey as a way of maturing is a recurring theme in the Earthsea novels. The journey that our heroes take are both literal and metaphorical. Ged doesn't only travel the sea and the islands of Earthsea, he must travel into his own soul to find answers. The same can be said for both Tenar and Arran. There's a lot of travelling, exploration or moving in these books, and it always reflects or symbolizes inner exploration. 

“This is. And thou art. There is no safety. There is no end. The word must be heard in silence. There must be darkness to see the stars. The dance is always danced above the hollow place, above the terrible abyss.”   Ursula K. LeGuin, The Farthest Shore

TAOSIM IN THE FATHERST SHORE

Ursula K. Le Guin's interest in Taoist is reflected in all of the Earthsea novels I have read so far. Like the previous novels in the series, this third novel continues exploring the importance of balance. Now wise mage Ged often stresses the importance of achieving balance through personal virtue and wisdom. The world is not to be interfered with is possible.

 Ged serves as a sort of mentor to Arran, warning him of mistakes he made in the past. There's much talk of the fundamental balance in the universe of Earthsea. It is when this balance is in danger, that everything can fall apart. The wizards in Earthsea are supposed to maintain and understand the importance of balance. Taosim believes that all living creatures should live in the harmony with the Universe and indeed mage Ged often stresses this concept. In addition, another Taosim influence is possibly the belief that language and names have power.  In Earthsea cycle, ancient words can influence and literally change the material world and hence alter this balance. This is why balance is so important. The balance between light and death, the balance between light and shadow. 

“Life rises out of death, death rises out of life, in being opposite they yearn to each other, they give birth to each other and are forever reborn. And with them all is reborn, the flower of the apple tree, the light of the stars.”

 However, let's get back to the start of this story and we'll return to Taosim concepts later on!

THE STORY OPENS WITH TROUBLE ON HORIZONT AS ARREN, PRINCE OF ENLAND BRINGS OMNIOUS TIDINGS!

As the novel opens, there's trouble on the horizon. A young prince named Arren arrives to the mage school, bearing ill news. Arren encounters the Archmage Ged next to the fountain, and immediately takes a liking to him. Neither is Ged indifferent to Arren. A bond of some kind seems to be formed. Besides admiring the young man virtues, Ged probably realizes that destiny itself might have brought Arren to him. Arren comes from an ancient line of kings, and there's a prophecy woven in his personal story. 

“Do nothing because it is righteous or praiseworthy or noble to do so; do nothing because it seems good to do so; do only that which you must do and which you cannot do in any other way.”

GED, NOW A MATURE HEADMAGE IS WORRIED ABOUT THE SITUATION

However, at present the mage Ged is worried. He takes Arren's bad tidings quite seriously. What is the problem? Arren recounts how magic is disappearing from the lands. It happened in Arren's land as well. Ged seems to be already aware of this, or at least he seems to have heard some rumors, but the story told still worries him. Arren recounts how the mage of his land wasn't able to tell the blessings and use the ancient language the way it's meant to be used. Arren's own father- the king of Enlad, tried to perform the magic blessing and failed at this, despite having some wizard talent and education himself. Understanding the gravity of the situation, the king has send his own son to bring news and ask for advice. 

THROUGH ARREN'S EYES WE SEE THE MAGIC SCHOOL ANEW

Arren is taken to the magic school, and Ged talks things over with other wizards. Arren arrives dazzled, and when he is given a young guide to show him around, he fails to appreciate the young's boy humour. The young boy takes offense and starts inventing stories about the school, but Arren hardly listens to him, annoying the boy host even more. However, when they start talking about the mage Ged, the two boys finally find a common language. We as readers are also introduced to the magic school anew, and see it through young Arren's eyes. As I already explained, the third novel in the series is also a 'coming of age' novel. We see most events through Arren's eyes. 

THE WIZARDS DO NOT TAKE THE ILL TIDINGS AS SERIOUSLY AS GED DOES, BUT THEY YIELD TO HIS AUTHORITY 

 The other wizards do not take the warnings as seriously as he does, but in the end they all respect his authority as the head of the school. The other wizards acknowledge Ged's authority and seem to be ready to obey him. Ged decides to explore things further. Young Arran has sworn an oath of loyality to him, and Ged seems to think there's a touch of destiny in that. Ged decides to investigate the matter and take Arren with him. 

As the novel develops, we learn that Arren has an important role to play. At one point, Ged says that he has used Arren's love as a sort of touch in the lands of darkness they must visit. 

“I use your love as a man burns a candle, burns it away, to light his steps.”

WHAT IS THIS ILLNESS SPREADING? AND HOW IS IT CONNECTED WITH THE DISAPPEARANCE OF MAGIC?

In the previous novels, it was explained that magic plays a key role in the Earthsea world. People rely on magic, and both low and high born need and ask help from mages. Only the more undeveloped or cult like societies (like the one Tenar belonged to) don't know or use magic. Now, the magic is disappearing, but it is not only that! It's like a mysterious and powerful illness is spreading throughout Earthsea, growing more stronger by the day.

 Magic is not only losing its power, but it seems to be disappearing from some parts, and even knowledge seems to be disappear. Crafts, art and songs are being forgotten by people, artists  and artisans. Moreover, both people and animals seem to be falling ill- both physically and mentally. What is behind all this? Well, that's the quest our heroes must undertake- to find out the reason and attempt a cure. 

“In Enlad," said Arren after a while, "we have a story about the boy whose schoolmaster
was a stone:'
"Aye?... What did he learn?"
"Not to ask questions.”

PRINCE ARREN AND ARCHMAGE GED SAIL AWAY ON LOOKFAR

The young prince and mage are to travel together to a journey that might take them far. Ged warns  Arren, the young Prince of Enlad, that the journey might be dangerous and long. However, Arren won't be turned back, even when the Archmage Ged reminds him that he is the only heir to his father and as such has responsibility. Arren responds that it was his father that send him, and surely the king didn't send his heir there only to bring news but also to be of help. There's logic in young Arren's words, but Archmage sees something more. So, they leave Roke Island and the wizard school and start their journey on his boat Lookfar. 

Through the journey Archmage Ged acts as a mentor to Arren. They discuss not just their mission, but also philosophical subjects.  Furthermore, they are searching for answers together so there is sometimes a sense of urgency to their philosophical discussions. As the mission gets more dangerous, Ged starts to rely on Arren more. Even Ged's boat Lookfar as a metaphorical name- it is almost as if Ged is saying to Arren that he must look far if he wants to find the answers. The world of Earthsea is an archipelago, so sailing is both a way of transport and a metaphor. As Urusla K. Le Guin notes- a mage and  a sailor are not far apart. 

“And mage and sailor are not so far apart; both work with the powers of sky and sea, and bend great winds to the uses of their hands, bringing near what was remote.”

BOTH MAGES AND PEOPLE SEEM TO HAVE FALLED UNDER DARK INFLUENCE

The Archmage and the young prince head south to Hort Town, where they find a troubled wizard called Hare. Under the influence of something, possibly drugs, Hare seems half-mad. They investigate further. Slowly they come under the realization that wizard Hare and many others have fallen under a dark influence. In the visions of these troubled people, there is this dark figure promising them life without death. 

With time Ged concludes these fallen wizards might be under the influence of a some powerful figure or wizard that is somehow taking their power, promising them eternal life.  Not all the dots are connected yet, though. Ged and Arren venture further south to the island of Lorbanery. 

The description of the depressed people on this island were so convincing, that  I couldn't help wondering if they were not a metaphor for our present society. This island,  once famous for its dyed silk is now a bleak place filled with half mad people.  All the people living there seem to be experiencing a profound depression, and they are not happy to see Ged at all. Now,  I didn't feel that it was certain that the people were directly in the contact with the dark wizard, but they were somehow under his influence and quite aggressive both between themselves and visitor. 

Tragically, these people have lost all their dyeing skill and cannot even remember any of their songs. I wonder if this spiritual and mental darkness isn't what many depressed people experience. The description of the local people's depression was very convincing, I genuinely felt sorry for them.  Their behaviour towards Ged and Arren was a depressing mix of mean, apathetic, aggressive and hostile.

GED REMEMBERS A WIZARD COB HE DEFEATED IN HIS PAST

Ged remembers a wizard from his past, one that repeated Ged's personal mistake of invoking the dead. Ged defeated him, but now he wonders if he did it in a way that was too cruel. Cob certainly deserved punishment, but Ged now wonders about the fright he gave to Cob and remembers his terrible fear of death. Ged warns Arren not to repeat his mistakes, and openly discusses his past sins. Clearly, Ged has matured a lot. Many of his lessons to Arren are warnings.

“But when we crave power over life—endless wealth, unassailable safety, immortality—then desire becomes greed. And if knowledge allies itself to that greed, then comes evil. Then the balance of the world is swayed, and ruin weighs heavy in the scale.”

What about Cob? Maybe he can be seen as Ged's shadow or a shadow of his sin. Perhaps Cob  is Ged's alter ego or another version of him. If Ged didn't fight and won over his shadow, if he didn't suffer for his sin and overcome it- maybe Ged would have been Cob. But who is Cob? Is he the dark wizard? That is yet to be found and I don't won't to give you spoilers.  This theme of life and death is central both for this novel and for the philosophical Taoist concepts. 

“He is the earth and sunlight, the leaves of trees, the eagle's flight. He is alive. And all who ever died, live; they are reborn and have no end, nor will there ever be an end.”

“I know that there is only one power that is real and worth the having. And that is the power, not to take, but to accept.”

HAVING CHOICE WE MUST NOT ACT WITHOUT RESPONSIBILITY

As the iconic quote listed below indicated, there's a delicate balance in the world. Each action we take has moral consequences. We must be responsible in our choices, because every action and choice, can upset the balance of the world. 

“Do you see, Arran, how an act is not, as young men think, like a rock that one picks up and throws, and it hits or misses, and that's the end of it. When that rock is lifted, the earth is lighter; the hand that bears it heavier. When it is thrown, the circuits of the stars respond, and where it strikes or falls, the universe is changed. On every act the balance of the whole depends. The winds and seas, the powers of water and earth and light, all that these do, and all that the beasts and green things do, is well done, and rightly done. All these act within the Equilibrium. From the hurricane and the great whale's sounding to the fall of a dry leaf and the gnat's flight, all they do is done within the balance of the whole.

But we, insofar as we have power over the world and over one another, we must learn to do what the leaf and the whale and the wind do of their own nature. We must learn to keep the balance. Having intelligence, we must not act in ignorance. Having choice, we must not act without responsibility.”

THIS WIZARD THAT PROMISES LIFE WITHOUT DEATH COULD BE THE CAUSE OF EVIL

There is a lot of talk about the connection between the life and death. The emphasis of Ged's teaching seems to be on the importance of balance.  This brings us back to Taoist concepts and beliefs. Greed is seen as a cause of evil because it upsets the balance of the world. Greed for eternal life in material form is not only folly, it is dangerous. 

“Death and life are the same thing-like the two sides of my hand, the palm and the back. And still the palm and the back are not the same...They can be neither separated, nor mixed.”

“You fear them because you fear death, and rightly: for death is terrible and must be feared,' the mage said...'And life is also a terrible thing,' Ged said, 'and must be feared and praised.”

DEATH IS AN IMPORTANT THEME IN THIS NOVEL AND IT IS DISCUSSED OFTEN

Ged and Arren discuss death often, and they journey their discussions and debates becomes more profound. 

“Life rises out of death, death rises out of life; in being opposite they yearn to each other, they give birth to each other and are forever reborn. And with them, all is reborn, the flower of the apple tree, the light of the stars. In life is death. In death is rebirth. What then is life without death? Life unchanging, everlasting, eternal?-What is it but death-death without rebirth?”

....

“I have given my love to what is worthy of love. Is that not the kingdom and the unperishing spring?”

NOBODY LIVES FOREVER, WOULD YOU ENDAGER THE FOREVER FOR A MOMENT?

“You will die. You will not live forever. Nor will any man nor any thing. Nothing is immortal. But only to us is it given to know that we must die. And that is a great gift: the gift of selfhood. For we have only what we know we must lose, what we are willing to lose... That selfhood which is our torment, and our treasure, and our humanity, does not endure. It changes; it is gone, a wave on the sea. Would you have the sea grow still and the tides cease, to save one wave, to save yourself?”

GED TEACHES ARREN THAT DEATH AND LIFE ARE CONNECTED

Throughout their voyage, Ged teaches Arren about the importance of balance. Death and life play a part in this. Death and life are interconnected. Living and dying are all part of a process. Without morality, we cannot have the consciousness of eternity. 

“I see life as a shared gift, received from others and passed on to others, living and dying as one process, in which lies both our suffering and our reward. Without mortality to purchase it, how can we have the consciousness of eternity? I think the price is worth paying.”

A LESSON ABOUT LIFE AND DEATH AND YING -YANG SYMBOLISM

Ying and yang symbolism is also present in this book.  It can be tied to Taoist concepts. Simply said, ying- yang symbol represents duality that can be found in everything. Yin and yang can be explained as complementary and at the same time opposing forces that interact to form a dynamic system in which the whole is greater than the assembled parts and the parts are important for cohesion of the whole. It is also belief and a symbol that balance is essential. Sparrowhawk Ged is old in this book whereas Arren is young. There're a contrast between magicians and dragons, creators of wind and fire, between light and dark, between dark magic and white magic and so on. There are many contrasts in this book, and all can be tied to Taoism. 

“He said after a little while, 'I see why you say that only men do evil, I think. Even sharks are innocent, they kill because they must.'
'That is why nothing can resist us. Only one thing in the world can resist an evil-hearted man. And that is another man. In our shame is our glory. Only our spirit, which is capable of evil, is capable of overcoming it.”

SPARROWHAWK GIVES A WARNING TO ARREN AND THIS CAN BE TIED TO TAOIST CONCEPTS

What I found interesting is the amount of warnings that Ged that is Sparrowhawk gives to young Arren. He doesn't do this to preach, but to make him understand profound lessons about life. Moreover, the two of them are on a dangerous journey and they will not survive it without each others helps. 

“When I was young, I had to choose between the life of being and the life of doing. And I leapt at the latter like a trout to a fly. But each deed you do, each act, binds you to itself and to its consequences, and makes you act again and yet again. Then very seldom do you come upon a space, a time like this, between act and act, when you may stop and simply be. Or wonder who, after all, you are.” Ursula K. Le Guin, The Farthest Shore

DO NOTHING BECAUSE IT IS RIGHTEOUS OR PRAISEWORTHY

Sparrowhawk often stresses that to act is in human nature, but also that we must be extremely careful how and when we act: “Never fear. It is much easier for men to act than to refrain from acting. We will continue to do good and to do evil. But if there were a king over us all again and he sought the counsel of a mage, as in the days of old, and I were that mage, I would say to him: My lord, do nothing because it is righteous or praiseworthy or noble to do so; do nothing because it seems good to do so; do only that which you must do and which you cannot do in any other way...”

THE WORDS OF POWER ARE AT THE CORE OF MAGIC

“No man, no power, can bind the action of wizardry or still the words of power. For they are the very words of Making, and one who could silence them could unmake the world.”

GED AND ARREN TRAVEL FURTHER IN SEARCH OF ANSWERS

Ged senses that they are surrounded by evil, and they continue their travel. With Arren by his side, Ged ventures further southwest. However, evil is neither easy to avoid, nor are they running from it completely- they are looking for answers. They realize that the influence of the dark wizard is increasing and is more prevalent then they assumed. Ged is almost killed when they try to land their ship on an island, and Arren seems to be falling into depression as well. Ged is bleeding and is in a rather poor and vulnerable state,- Arren isn't able to do much to help him because Arren himself is overcome with dark feelings and loss of energy. Arren can almost feel his life slowly leaving him, as they both drift further away on Lookfar . Arren is overtaken by apathy, and they end up drifting to the open ocean. 

THE DUO NEARLY ESCAPES DEATH WHEN THEY ARE SAVED BY RAFT PEOPLE AND THIS IS WHERE THE STORY REALLY STARTS

However, this is practically only the start of their adventure. Fortunately, Ged and Arren life is saved by the Raft People, a society of sea nomads. Raft people who live their lives on great rafts in the open ocean, only coming to land once a year to repair them. Ursula describes their society with much care, and in this instance, as in many others, you can see her background in anthropological studies. 

One thing that I found interesting is that the king of Raft people immediately identifies Arren as a ruler of his people. Arren is a prince of his people, and it seems this authority can be felt by others as well. I think this is an important detail because it tells us something about the young Arren. At this point, he feels very down, so maybe this subtle praise lifts his spirit a little. It also shows us as readers that Arren has natural authority. Arren has been raised to be a honourable ruler, and so far we see nothing that would indicate otherwise. Even if Arren himself feels like he has failed Sparrowhawk, their drifting to sea has probably saved their lives. By not doing anything, Arren has done enough. Sometimes just being there for a friend in need means the world.

“And I did nothing, nothing but try to hide from the horror of dying." He stopped, for saying the truth aloud was unendurable. It was not shame that stopped him, but fear, the same fear. He knew now why this tranquil life in sea and sunlight on the rafts seemed to him like an after-life or a dream, unreal. It was because he knew in his heart that reality was empty: without life or warmth or color or sound: without meaning. There were no heights or depths. All this lovely play of form and light and color on the sea and in the eyes of men, was no more than that, a playing of illusions on the shallow void.”

Raft people are generous and kind, and so being with them helps Ged and Arren get back on their feet. However, when the singers of Raft nation forget their songs and are unable to sing, Ged and Arren know that the evil has arrived there as well, and they must venture further to confront it. The relationship between these two grows more profound with time, as their friendship deepens.

“Arren waited for him in the hot, leaf-speckled sunlight. He knew that Sparrowhawk was ashamed to burden Arren with his emotion, and indeed there was nothing the boy could do or say. But his heart went out utterly to his companion, not now with that first romantic ardour and adoration, but painfully as if a link were drawn forth from the very inmost of it and forged into an unbreaking bond. For in this love he now felt there was compassion: without which love is untempered, and is not whole, and does not last.”

ARREN'S CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT IS VERY CONVIENCING

I really enjoyed following Arren's character development. He starts of as a young prince, who while naturally just, has a lot to learn. It's through the love he feels for his mentor Ged, that he develops as a person.

“...his loyalty had grown greater, being fixed upon a greater model and a broader hope. He had learned his own weakness also, and by it had learned to measure his strength; and he knew that he was strong. But what use was strength if he had no gift, nothing to offer, still, to his lord but his service and his steady love? Where they were going, would those be enough?

DRAGONS HAVE A PART TO PLAY IN THIS NOVEL AS WELL!

“So Arren spoke, fiercely and with command. He had been overawed and frightened too much, he had been filled up with fear, and he had got sick of it and would not have it anymore. He was angry with the dragon for its brute strength and size, its unjust advantage. He had seen death, he had tasted death, and no threat had power over him.”

If you're a lover of dragons, you won't be disappointed because dragons have an important role to play in this book. Ursula even goes so far as to explain the origin of dragons. However, I won't go into details to avoid spoilers. What I'm going to say is that I really enjoyed the worldbuilding in this one. For dragons the words of magic are as natural as breathing is to us. The language of magic is dragon's mother tongue. They live extremely long lives and are therefore very wise. 

“And though I came to forget or regret all I have ever done, yet I would remember that once I saw the dragons aloft on the wind at sunset above the western isles; and I would be content.”

DRAGONS S DO NOT DREAM, THEY ARE THE DREAM!

“We men dream dreams, we work magic, we do good, we do evil. The dragons do not dream. They are dreams. They do not work magic: it is their substance, their being. They do not do; they are.”

.....

“He was very weary; the day had been long, and full of dragons.”

THERE ARE TWO DRAGONS THAT KNOW GED'S NAME

Ged is a dragonlord, which basically means that he can talk with dragons, not that he can command them. A dragonlord is someone a dragon would talk to or deemed worthy of talking to. Dragons already had a part to play in Ged's life. Some of them know his name, and he in turn knows their.  

“For they were alone, and he was one of the seven persons in the world who knew the Archmage's name. The others were the Master Namer of Roke; and Ogion the Silent, the wizard of Re Albi, who long ago on the mountain of Gont had given Ged that name; and the White Lady of Gont, Tenar of the Ring; and a village wizard in Iffish called Vetch; and in Iffish again, a house-carpenter's wife, mother of three girls, ignorant of all sorcery but wise in other things, who was called Yarrow; and finally, on the other side of Earthsea, in the farthest west, two dragons: Orm Embar and Kalessin.”

   FINAL THOUGHTS ABOUT THE FATHERST SHORE

“There is no kingdom like the forests. It is time I went there, went in silence, went alone. And maybe there I would learn at last what no act or art or power can teach me, what I have never learned."

The Farthest Shore is a well thought out novel with an engaging plot and endearing protagonists. i would have perhaps preferred to see more into Ged's soul. While he speaks to us through the life lessons he shares with Arren, Ged remains a bit mysterious in this one. Perhaps as a character Ged has grown so wise that he's kind of drifted out my reach. Perhaps that's the natural order of things, so I shouldn't complain.  The third novel in the series is possibly the most serious one. As I explained, it's rather philosophical with strong Taoist influences and symbolism. At times, the novel is quite bleak and dark. I felt that the author really wanted to put forward a warning of importance of accepting death and finding joy in living. Through Ged's words, Ursula often stresses the fact that as humans we are capable of both great good and great harm. I definitely felt like I've learned a lot from this novel.  I found the ending to be a bittersweet. It's more than a little sad, but at the same time, it also end son a hopeful note. 

...

“Arren saw the world now with his companion's eyes and saw the living splendor that was revealed about them in the silent, desolate land, as if by a power of enchantment surpassing any other, in every blade of the wind-bowed grass, every shadow, every stone. So when one stands in a cherished place for the last time before a voyage without return, he sees it all whole, and real, and dear, as he has never seen it before and never will see it again.”

URSULA K. LE GUIN'S BOOK REVIEWS ON MY BLOG 

1. THE WORD FOR WORLD IS A FOREST  (A NOVELLA)

This novella is an absolute masterpiece! Poetically written, profoundly serious and wonderfully imaginative, The Word for World is a Forest is an exceptional book. The story Le Guin created is a incredibly tragic and sad one, but it rings absolutely true in its sadness and tragedy. 

2. THE TELLING (A NOVEL)

The Telling in the novel's title is actually a philosophy (or a religion if you will) based on Taoism. I loved Le Guin's take on Taoist inspired religion/philosophy know as 'The Telling' in the novel. It seems to me that Le Guin is well acquainted with Taoism and Buddhism, so well acquainted she is able to summon some of the complexity of Asian theologies, myths and philosophy in this novel, something I imagine is not easy to do. 

3. THE LEFT HAND OF DARKNESS (A NOVEL)

The Left Hand of Darkness is a brilliant novel set on a planet whose culture is quite different from our own. It questions gender identity in the most brilliant of ways. This is a novel way ahead of its time. One of the best novels I have ever read for sure!

4. THE DISPOSSESSED (A NOVEL)

 The Dispossessed is an Utopian (at times Dystopian) philosophical science fiction novel with a developed plot, charismatic protagonist and detailed world building. Focusing on social and philosophical themes, The Dispossessed is written in a non-chronological way. 

As always, thank you for reading and visiting. Have a lovely day!