THE TOMBS OF ATUAN BY URSULA K. LE GUIN (BOOK REVIEW + 4 SUMMER OUTFITS)

 Hello, readers and fellow bloggers! In this post, I'll review The Tombs of Atuan, a novel by Urusla K. Le Guin. Published in 1970, this fantasy bildungsroman is the second novel in the famous Earthsea series, but the first one to feature a female protagonist. Just with its prequel, the reviews and the critique for this novel have been mostly positive and the book was on overall well received. The Earthsea saga has won many awards and it continues to win hearts! Besides book reviewing, today I'll also show you  four Mostar summer nights outfits. 

If you've been my reader for a while, you might know that I love Ursula K. Le Guin. Not too long, I reviewed the prequel to this novel- A Wizard of Earthsea, but I've actually read it a long time ago. Anyhow, I listened to an audiobook The Tombs of Atuan last Monday, and I managed to finish it one day. It possible had something to do with the fact that I wasn't well that day. However, on the upper side, I read this wonderful novel and short story The Fall of Edward Barnard, so in a way that Monday was still a productive day. However, I wonder if sometimes we're not too obsessed with being productive. 

On overall, I absolutely loved this novel! I was a little surprised by the switch of the protagonist ( as I was expecting Ged to be the main character), but I soon become quite fond of the young Tenar. The novel is set in Earthsea, but in another part of it. It's a land where the use of magic is forgotten and/or forgiven. However, neither magic, nor its original protagonist are absent from this sequel to A Wizard of the Earthsea. Ged does appear in this book about half way through. I'll try to avoid spoilers, but let me tell you that Ged has an important role to play, especially towards the end. But let us start from the beginning!

“The Earth is beautiful, and bright, and kindly, but that is not all. The Earth is also terrible, and dark, and cruel.”

Ursula K. Le Guin, The Tombs of Atuan

A Wizard of Earthsea was originally seen as a great book for children and young adults, but today it is a popular reading for adults as well. The same could be said for the Tombs of Atuan. Although the sequel is not ideal for young children and is more suitable for teenagers and young adults (because of the implied death and violence), it can naturally be enjoyed by adults. 

THE TOMBS OF ATUAN BY URSULA K. LE GUIN 5/5

TENER, THE PROTAGONIST IS ONLY FIVE YEAR OLD AT THE START OF THE STORY

The plot of this novel story basically revolves around a girl named Tenar, born on the Kargish island of Atuan. This land is quite different from the one described in the previous novel. Tenar is also a different protagonist.

COME HOME, TENAR! COME HOME!”
In the deep valley, in the twilight, the apple trees were on the eve of blossoming; here and there among the shadowed boughs one flower had opened early, rose and white, like a faint star. Down the orchard aisles, in the thick, new, wet grass, the little girl ran for the joy of running; hearing the call she did not come at once, but made a long circle before she turned her face toward home. The mother waiting in the doorway of the hut, with the firelight behind her, watched the tiny figure running and bobbing like a bit of thistledown blown over the darkening grass beneath the trees.”

The novel opens with a scene of Tenar running freely. She's a very young at this point, and her mother watches over her and calls out to her. She is described as running for the love of running, a simple child enjoying herself. Her parents are also simple people, but her future is not with them. 

TENAR'S PARENTS KNOW THEIR DAUGHTER WILL BE TAKEN AWAY FROM THEM TO BECOME A PRIESTESS

 Her mother and father start a conversation that turns into an argument. Tenar's father is upset because Tenar's mother is attached to her, despite being aware that the priestesses will come and take her. From their conversation, we learn that the priestesses have already claimed the child and are just waiting for the girl to be a little older before taking her. 

Tenar's mother calmly answers her husband that she will give her away when the time comes, but that is not yet. Tenar's father seems angry about the whole situation, reminding the mother that she has other children to take care of and that she shouldn't give affection to a child destined to be taken away. 

He even says how it would be good if they were at least paid by the priestess but underneath it all, one senses that he is also hurt and would like their child to stay with them- even if they are a poor couple with probably more kids than can afford. Anyway, that is how it seemed to me. Later on, we will learn even more about Tenar's early years, and the fatal night when the priestesses came to inspect whether she might be the next reincarnation of the great priestess. 

URSULA K.LE GUIN SETS THE SCENE VERY CONVIENCLY

Le Guin does a great job of setting the scene. It's clear that the priestesses, whoever they might be, are powerful in some way, and at any rate- the ordinary people seem quite afraid of them. I also think it's significant that the first image we have of Tenar is her running away. Does it mean that she has an independent spirit? Does it mean she's trying to run away from her destiny? What is her destiny exactly? She is to be the next high priestess, we find out, but it's all very uncertain at start because as readers we don't know much about the religion or cult of the Nameless Ones. 

POOR TENAR LIVES A RATHER ISOLATED LIFE AND AS READERS WE FEEL FOR THE POOR CHILD

What we learn next is how Tenar was taken away by the priestess and her arrival to the Tombs of Atuan and the dwelling of the priestesses. The night before the ritual, she has to spend a night alone in a house that is rarely opened and that has a deadly smell. I was almost afraid when there was a sound. However, there was nothing for the little girl to worry about. It's was the eunuch Manan, trying to comfort her in her solitude. Tenar responds to him seriously, telling him he is not allowed to be there, and I remember feeling sad for than poor child that does her best to behave properly. 

Through the novel, Mannan is there to  take care of her. There is a rather detailed description of the ceremony in which little Tenar is to be eaten. For a moment, I thought that Tenar might even be harmed or killed in the ritual, but the ritual is symbolical not sacrificial. The priestess have no intention of harming Tenar, for they believe her to be a reincarnation of the last high priestess. The priestess serve the Nameless Ones, whom they believe live in the Tombs.

 Not much is known about the Nameless Ones, but Tenar grows up believing they are the most powerful thing on Earth and most worthy of worship. Despite this, it seems that the faith in the Nameless Ones isn't that strong with everyone. It's almost as the priestesses of the Nameless Ones are only tolerated because of the fear people have of the Nameless Ones. The theology doesn't seem to be very developed with the priestesses, you never see them doing any theological debates. 

In fact, I'm not even sure if it could be said  that it is a religion. Their worship of the Nameless Ones resembles a cult more than anything. Questions are discouraged and the emphasis is on rituals nobody remembers the original meaning of. What a terrible place for a young girl to grow up in!

TENAR IS RAISED TO BECOME THE HIGH PRISTESS OF THE NAMELESS ONES

 It is because Tenar was born on the day that the high priestess of the Tombs of Atuan died, that she is believed to be her reincarnation. The belief is quite strong among everyone, and eventually Tenar starts to believe it herself. 

Tenar is taken from her family when she is but five years old. At age six she undergoes this symbolic sacrifice. Up until that point, she's lived with other girls but she was still separated from them because of her future role. Tenar's name is taken from her in a ceremony, and from that moment she is referred to as Arha, and that means- the eaten one.  They believe her previous identity has been eaten and now she is nothing but a reincarnation of the main priestess. They don't expect her to take on her role just yet, so she's in an unusual position- a very lonely position. 

Being the child she is, Tenar is rather powerless and lonely. As readers, we basically see her grow up in a cult like setting. She doesn't question the things she is told, because she has no reference point, she literally knows nothing about the life outside the tombs and the convent. I found the way Tenar was written very convincing. 

TENAR'S CHILDHOOD IS EXTREMELY LONESOME AND SAD

While Tenar is never physically punished like the other girls who are to become priestesses, she certainly isn't given much freedom. Tenar always has duties and chores to do- not different from others. However, she's definitely more lonely and isolated than other girls.  

Tenar is moved into her own house after the ceremony. She's not left completely without affection, for she is given an eunuch servant, Manan, who genuinely cares about her and seems to understand that she's just a child. He's the only person who treats her as a child who needs affection and he tries to care for her.  You could say he's the only adult on whom Tenar can rely. The others just want her to become the main priestess. While Tenar feels a sense of satisfaction knowing that most have to knock on her doors before entering, before Thar and Kossil, she understands she has no real power. 

IRONICALLY, TENAR  THE HEAD PRIESTESS IS PORTRAYED AS HAVING NO POWER

Ursula herself explained how Tenar doesn't really have any power, even when she is proclaimed the main priestess. 

“In The Tombs of Atuan, the Old Powers, the Nameless Ones, appear as mysterious, ominous, and yet inactive. Arha/Tenar is their priestess, the greatest of all priestesses, whom the Godking himself is supposed to obey: But what is her realm? A prison in the desert. Women guarded by eunuchs. Ancient tombstones, a half-ruined temple, an empty throne. A fearful underground labyrinth where prisoners are left to die of starvation and thirst, where only she can walk the maze, where light must never come. She rules a dark, empty, useless realm. Her power imprisons her. This isn’t the rosy reassurance many novels at the time offered adolescents. It’s a very bleak picture of what a girl may expect. Arha’s life is dreary, unchanging, with almost no experience of kindness except from Manan the eunuch. The third chapter may be the cruelest, most hopeless passage in all the Earthsea books. By consenting to the death of “her” prisoners, Arha locks the prison door upon herself. Her whole life will be lived in a trap.”

 As I described Tenar's childhood is lonely and sad. However, her youth is even more lonely. Besides Manan, her only friend is a Penthe, a priestess who is her own age. Penthe shocks Tenar with her unbelief in the gods, especially the God-king. Penthe is presented as simple girl who is  in contrast to everyone- full of life. Penthe didn't become a priestess of her own will. She wanted to be a dancer. Tenar is absolutely shocked when she learns of Penthe's unbelief, and as reader you can see that it's the first time the thought of questioning the things she knows ever enters her head. 

“She had not realized how very different people were, how differently they saw life. She felt as if she had looked up and suddenly seen a whole new planet hanging huge and populous right outside the window, an entirely strange world, one in which the gods did not matter.”

Tenar receives training, mostly from Thar and Kossil. Who are these two? They are the priestesses of different Gods actually, and don't get along as well as it seems. Thar serves the same Gods as Tenar, while Kossil serves the so called 'God-king'.  As the story progresses, we realizes that the God-king doesn't like sharing power, nor does his priestess Kossil. 

Thar often refers to her past conversations that Tenar supposedly had with Thar in her past life as the main priestess. Supposedly, when Tenar was the main priestess, she told Thar about the way of the tombs. Thair now repeats their supposed past conversations, basically teaching Tenar about the tombs. Thar tells Tenar of the vast spaces of the undertomb and the labyrinth beneath the Tombs. Tenar has to learn everything by heart, following just oral instruction.

 The priestesses don't use drawings, maps or writing, they just recite instructions.  Thair describes the ancient treasure hidden within the labyrinth. She informs Tenar that wizards from the archipelago have tried to steal the treasure and this is the first time Tenar hears about the wizards.

In this land and culture, wizards are considered wicked, and even reading is considered a black art or witchcraft. Once Tenar turns fourteen, she assumes comes into her role- and becomes the highest ranked priestess in the Tombs. However, Tenar is more lonely as well. The only freedom she has is to roam the undertombs in the dark by herself.

 Naturally, initially Tenar is terrified, but with time Tenar starts exploring the labyrinth and the undertombs, the only places where she can be free. Ursula wrote Tenar in this way because she wanted her to be credible. Even with her high title, Tenar is a little more than a slave:  "She couldn’t be a hero in the hero-tale sense. Not even in a fantasy? No. Because to me, fantasy isn’t wishful thinking, but a way of reflecting, and reflecting on reality.”

THE PORTRAYAL OF CHARACTERS IS SO WELL DONE

Ursula K. Le Guin is quite economic and descriptive with her words. I found it very impressive how the writer can accurately portray someone with just a few well selected sentences. The story is focused on Tenar, but the minor characters seem so real. The characters Tenar interacts the most are so well portrayed. With just a few words, Ursula K. Le Guin has painted just a touching portrayal of Manan, the eunich servant that becomes a fatherly figure for Tenar.  Manan is a simple man of no education, but as a reader you get the feeling that he has gained wisdom through suffering.  Tenar's young friend is a very credible girl as well. The two priestesses of the main Gods are well portrayed as well. Le Guin often relies on dialogues in order to portray her characters, letting them reveal things about themselves through their own words. I quite admire how she is able to put forward a lot of information without relying on lengthily descriptions. 

“Her boredom rose so strong in her sometimes that it felt like terror: it took her by the throat. Not long ago she had been driven to speak of it. She had to talk, she thought, or she would go mad.”

THE WORLD BUILDING IS VERY CONVIENCING AS WELL 

Throughout the series, the world- building is well done. In this book, I felt like we were introduced to a different world almost, but still one that belongs to the Earthsea Universe. Since the Earthsea world is basically an archipelago (as you can see in the maps), the cultures and nations on it develop quite independently. So, as readers we're gradually introduced to the culture of Atuan and the cults/religions there present. We're learning about this world through Tenar's eyes. 

 What are exactly duties of a the high priestess? Even after she becomes the high priestess, Tenar has to perform rituals and work like everyone else there. Her life is anything but easy. It's often stated that everyone present has to pull their weight. There's much physical work to do. Does this mean that the priestesses are not that revealed or loved? They live far away from others, and the general population doesn't seem to give them gifts nor does the God-king sends gifts. The only gift he seems to send are the prisoners.

LIFE DOESN'T GET EASIER FOR TENAR ONCE SHE BECOMES THE HIGH PRIESTESS

Which brings us to another 'sacred' duty Tenar has- is to determine the manner death of unbelievers. Who are the unbelievers? They are enemies of the so called God-king. Tenar jobs is to decide how they will be killed once they arrive. Not a very attractive duty, but Tenar accepts it because she was raised to believe that it will appraise the Nameless Ones. At this point, Tenar's faith in the Nameless One is sincere. 

Who is this God-king? We're given clues as the story progresses. God-king is very powerful, more powerful than the priestesses, it seems. Tenar says it wasn't always so, and we time we can see Tenar growing resentment toward the God-king. Tenar notices that the place they live in seems rather shabby, while the one in which the Godking lives is more grand. It seems that the Godking only acknowledges the priestess out of tradition, and would like to get rid of them if possible. It is explained that the the kinds of the old started to take more and more power until they turned themselves into deities. 

Tenar is young, bored, isolated and unhappy, but she is still filled with the sense of duty, and perhaps even a dose of pride because she believes the Nameless Ones to be very powerful and as their servant, that means she's powerful too. I think what draws Tenar to perceive the Nameless Ones that way is basically just her feeling out of control. Perhaps she hopes to get some power through connection to them. Now, that I think about it, isn't it often true? People develop belief systems and believe in them in order to feel less alone. 

A DARK MOMENT AS TENAR HAS TO DECIDE THE MANNER OF PRISONERS' DEATH

 Possibly the darkest moment in the book is when Tenar has to order the death of prisoners. Basically, she doesn't have the authority to set them free, but what she does will haunt her nevertheless. Tenar is a difficult position. Tenar is often kept in the dark- both in the literal and the metaphorical sense.

When Tenar is taken undertombs to meet the prisoners, she is told that no light is allowed. Tenar is supposed to be the head priestess and feels the responsibility on her shoulders. At the same time, Tenar is aware that there is much she doesn't know but is expected to, and she is too proud to reveal her weaknesses. Not that it would do her any good. In this dark world of what is basically a cult worship, everyone's knowledge is limited. Tenar is filled with fear as she struggles to orient herself in the dark- and this is true in both the metaphorical and literal way. Tenar has reason to literally be afraid for her life because if she gets lost in the  undertombs, she will die. At the same times, the undertombs are supposed to be her domain and she feels a sense of freedom there, mingled with fear and disgust. 

 I mean she has been brought up in a pretty cruel way, so it's a miracle she's not completely crazy at this point. Tenar isn't cruel by nature, but when she is cornered, she commits an act of cruelty that will haunt her.  This happens when she is taken undertombs and  required to order the death of prisoners sent to the Tombs by the God-King of the Kargad lands. The way she goes under is very indicative, as describes she has to be led there, even if the is the main priestess because she is still to learn her way, and she has to be told things. This makes Tenar feel humiliated and she also feels humiliated by Kossil, who seems to dislike her. 

Tenar is basically cornered into her role of an executioner. First, Tenar wants to speak with the man but learns that their tongues have been cut out. She commands them be killed by the eunuch servants not knowing that the man servants aren't allowed under. You can see her panic, as she considers what to do. I felt like she said the first thing that she taught of out of sheer panics. Tenar asks how they are fed and when she learns how, she says that they should simply stop lowering water and food to them. In other words, Tenars orders them to be starved to death. 

I had a feeling she did it as much to save her face before others, as out of sheer panic. Isn't that often the case with humans? We act the rules that are imposed onto us, without questioning the casting. However, Tenar is not a cruel fanatic. While she never considers saving the men in earnest and accepts her role, this act torments and haunts Tenar. She falls ills and has terrible nightmare. Tenar basically experiences PTSD symbols and is tormented by the guilt, even if she doesn't rebel openly. Tenar suffers for a long time and I really felt sorry for this poor young girl who is, despite her high title, completely powerless. 

THAR'S DEATH LEAVES TENAR EVEN MORE ISOLATED

As I explained, Thar has been preparing Tenar (presently called Arha) for this role, but nothing could prepare her for the deaths that will haunt her.  Thar dies, and as far as we know it's from natural causes (old age) and this means that Tenar /Arha becomes not only more increasingly isolated and lonesome, but also vulnerable. Tenar is no fool and she acknowledges that Kossil hates her. Thar had been strict with Tenar, and while she didn't show her any mother lovely, she had been fair to her. On the other hand, Kossil hates her and doesn't even hide it that well. Kossil is the villan, one could say, she clearly sees the Nameless Ones as a threat to her and her God-kings' power. Certainly the cult of the Nameless Ones is not a theologically developed or merciful religion, but the more we learn about them, the more we feel bad as these women seem to be oppressed by the God-king. The priestesses of the Nameless Ones do not seem to be evil, even if what they do is not exactly good, one cannot see them as villains, simply because they have no power. 

IN THIS DARK MOMENT, GED ARRIVES TO THE SCENE

Tenar is drawn to the undertombs more and more, and she starts to explore its labyrinths. Terrible as it is to be alone in the darkness (there is a real chance of getting lost and dying), it's the paradoxically only place where Tenar can be free. With Thar's death, Tenar is left without a guidance. 

Wondering through the labyrints, Tenar imprisons Ged and this is where the story really begins. Will she kills him or not? Will she spare her life? If yes, at what risks? Will she talk with him and give him a chance to tell her something of the outside world. As readers that is for us to learn. 

I won't reveal spoilers, but I will say is that I liked how Ged and Tenar relationship was handled. There are never any romantic undertones, it's clear that if they are going to talk and if she will spare his life, that it's going to be grounds of friendship. 

“Do you know how to read?'
'No. It is one of the black arts.'
He nodded. 'But a useful one,' he said.”

Ursula K. Le Guin, The Tombs of Atuan

FINAL THOUGHTS - THIS SEQUEL IS AS GOOD AS THE ORIGINAL, IF NOT EVEN BETTER!

I immensely enjoyed the first book in the series for many reasons. From an engaging plot, simple but poetical writing, wonderful world-building, and finally to a masterful character development, A Wizard of Earthsea really is an impressive piece of writing. However, The Tombs of Atuan is a really impressive book as well. It has two heroes rather than one, but doesn't prioritize either. Both of them seem equally important. Le Guin spends a lot of time building the character of Tenar, so when Ged appears, Tenar doesn't pale in comparison and Ged doesn't overshadow her. 

 A Wizard of Earthsea taught us the importance of building character through choices and often complex inner battles, those that really build us and those that matter the most. Again, this book puts a lot of emphasis on the inner battles that Tenar goes through. Tenar realizes that she has been told untruths and she must question everything. She basically needs to summon courage to build her indenity again. What Tenar survives is nothing short of emotional abuse, but she doesn't become cruel. I like how the novel emphasises exactly how hard it is for her to make the choices she had to make. At every stage of the novel, Tenar is a beliveable protagonist. We literally see her grow up before our eyes, both metaphorically and physically. 

As, I said I'll show you 4 summer outfits I wore for nightly strolls in Mostar city. 

OUTFIT #1- A BLACK RUFFLED MINI DRESS PAIRED WITH A SCARF BELT AND WHITE SNEAKERS

OUTFIT #2 - A YELLOW ADRIATIC MINI DRESS PAIRED WITH A SCARF AND WHITE SNEAKERS

OUTFIT #3 A BELLISSSIMA SEMI PLAID BLACK AND RED SKIRT PAIRED WITH A PINK TOP AND WHITE HEELS

OUTFIT #4 - A BLUE AMADEUS MIDI DRESS PAIRED WITH TAN HEELS, A STATEMENT NECKLACE AND A MINI BELT BAG

“ I think they drove your priestess Kossil mad a long time ago; I think she has prowled these caverns as she prowls the labyrinth of her own self, and now she cannot see the daylight any more. She tells you that the Nameless Ones are dead; only a lost soul, lost to truth, could believe that. They exist. But they are not your Masters. They never were. You are free, Tenar. You were taught to be a slave, but you have broken free.”

THE TOMBS OF ATUAN BY URSULA K. LE GUIN

“Living, being in the world, was a much greater and stranger thing than she had ever dreamed.”

“What she had begun to learn was the weight of liberty. Freedom is a heavy load, a great and strange burden for the spirit to undertake. It is not easy. It is not a gift given, but a choice made, and the choice may be a hard one. The road goes upward towards the light; but the laden traveler may never reach the end of it.”

THE TOMBS OF ATUAN BY URSULA K. LE GUIN

“How do I know," she said at last, "that you are what you seem to be?"
"You don't," Said he. "I don't know what I seem, to you.”
......

“You are like a lantern swathed and covered, hidden away in a dark place. Yet the light shines; they could not put out the light. They could not hide you.”

“...You have knowledge, and I have skill, and between us we have..."
"We have the Ring of Erreth-Akbe."
"Yes, that. But I thought also of another thing between us. Call it trust... That is one of its names. It is a very great thing. Though each of us alone is weak, having that we are strong, stronger than the Powers of the Dark.”

“They have nothing to give. They have no power of making. All their power is to darken and destroy. They cannot leave this place; they are this place; and it should be left to them. They should not be denied nor forgotten, but neither should they be worshiped. The Earth is beautiful, and bright, and kindly, but that is not all. The Earth is also terrible, and dark, and cruel. The rabbit shrieks dying in the green meadows. The mountains clench their great hands full of hidden fire. There are sharks in the sea, and there is cruelty in men’s eyes. And where men worship these things and abase themselves before them, there evil breeds; there places are made in the world where darkness gathers, places given over wholly to the Ones whom we call Nameless, the ancient and holy Powers of the Earth before the Light, the powers of the dark, of ruin, of madness… I think they drove your priestess Kossil mad a long time ago; I think she has prowled these caverns as she prowls the labyrinth of her own self, and now she cannot see the daylight any more. She tells you that the Nameless Ones are dead; only a lost soul, lost to truth, could believe that. They exist. But they are not your Masters. They never were. You are free, Tenar. You were taught to be a slave, but you have broken free.”

FIVE MORE REVIEWS BY URSULA K. LE GUIN

Ursula K. Le Guin was an acclaimed writer of science fiction and fantasy. I would say she's definitely the most influential American writer of her generation. I have fallen in love with her work many years ago and I'd never looked back!

READ MORE URSULA K. LE GUIN'S BOOK REVIEWS ON MY BLOG AND FIND YOUR NEXT PERFECT READ: 

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. Wisdom is something I have come to expect in Ursula K.Le Guin's writing but this novella seems to be especially abundant in it. Wisdom is a big word, yet I cannot use another, for Le Guin's writing truly strikes me as wise. This novella ( or a short novel, depending how you classify it) is a work of great complexity that can be studied on many levels and that raises many interesting questions, from psychological, social, political to linguistic ones. The Word for World is a Forest captures the harsh realities of any war or military conquest and stresses that it is often (if not always) the innocents that suffer and die.

2. THE TELLING (A NOVEL)

The Telling in the novel's title is actually a philosophy (or a religion if you will) based n 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. Sutty's sincere devotion to discovering and saving the forbidden semi-religion known as The Telling is very convincing, but Sutty as a protagonist is a bit underwhelming.

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)

What kind of novel is The Dispossessed?   It 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. 

5. A WIZARD OF EARTHSEA, THE FIRST  NOVEL IN THE EARTHSEA SERIES

WHAT KIND OF NOVEL IS A WIZARD OF EARTHSEA?

Today considered a classic of both fantasy and children's literature, A Wizard of Earthsea could also be describes as a young adult and 'coming of age' novel. First published in 1969, it is a story of a boy who gets invited to attend a magic school, accepts the invitation, fights his own demons and learns a lot about himself in the process. 

Does it sound familiar? Well, you have to remember that it was written and published decades before Harry Potter, so if anyone took the plot idea from anyone, it was certainly not Ursula.

 In fact, all those writers who wrote about magic schools after this book was published, were probably taking inspiration from Ursula L. Guin. It could be said that Ursula Le Guin is one of the first to develop this concept of  magic school in her writing.

 I would recommend A Wizard of Earthsea to everyone- not only to fans of fantasy. 

Yes, it has talking dragons and magicians but it also delivers some important psychological (and perhaps even theological) lessons. 

In the end, what it means to be alive? What it means to have power if we don’t have the power over ourselves? If we let our weaknesses eat us inside, we might end up being dead even if we are physically alive.

“... He knew once more, at last, after this long, bitter, waisted time, who he was and where he was. But where he must go in the years to come, that he could not see; and he feared to see it. ”

Thank you for reading and visiting!