Review: A Wizard of Earthsea

Even though I’m not much of a fantasy reader, I had high hopes for A Wizard of Earthsea. It came highly recommended, and even a quick scan of the Wikipedia page demonstrates that everyone has loved this book for years. It was more than just hearsay, though: from The Left Hand of Darkness, I’ve learned that author Ursula K. Le Guin is a technically strong writer and particularly adept at exploring challenging themes.

There wasn’t much challenge to A Wizard of Earthsea, though. I repeatedly felt disappointed by the shallowness of the narrative. I wanted to relate to the main character, Ged, but so much of his experience was too abbreviated to support much empathy. And while there were a few moments where he seemed circumspect beyond his years, Ged mostly presents as a stereotypical brash teenager.

I’m torn about this. While reading, I was quick to forgive the superficiality as appropriate for the intended audience. But as I write this, that kind of apology feels pretty patronizing. Younger readers should be challenged with more complex characters, so a book’s classification as “Young Adult” isn’t an excuse to water down the story.

However, if it’s adventure you’re after, you could definitely do worse! A Wizard of Earthsea sets up a handful of wizardly confrontations, and it sprinkles in the somber kind of wisdom you would expect old mages to impart on apprentices. I liked this one in particular:

The truth is that as a man’s real power grows and his knowledge widens, ever the way he can follow grows narrower: until at last he chooses nothing, but does only and wholly what he must do….

…just be warned that you may not be particularly invested in the fates of these people. I’d recommend this book to a pre-teen, and maybe read it to a younger kid. Beyond that, well, there are plenty of other fantasy books out there.