klettie's review against another edition
4.0
It would have been such a pity for Le Guin to have stopped with The Farthest Shore. I am glad we get this reflection.
ypres's review against another edition
Hace falta ser valiente para escribir un libro así, un libro que en su momento tú misma dijiste que sería el último de la saga*. Durante un lustro construiste un mundo fantástico, con su mitología y sus reglas propias, y diste vida a una serie de personajes interesantes que se salían bastante del tipo de personajes que yo estaba acostumbrado a leer en este género, personajes para los que el fracaso era una opción muy real y que comprendían el aprendizaje como algo que no viene regalado.
Y en el libro final de la saga (escrito 18 años después del anterior) rompes con todo eso, de un mundo enorme y lleno de posibilidades reduces toda la acción a un par de ciudades de una isla rural y despojas a los personajes de lo que más les definía, a una mujer famosa en todo el mundo la transformas en una campesina viuda y al mago más grande y poderoso de Terramar le arrebatas sus poderes, con el fin de preguntarte como se construye una identidad cuando te han quitado todo lo que has sido a lo largo de tu vida, para hablar de como afecta la magia, o más bien como afecta la falta de ella, al mundo sencillo y rural, al mundo cotidiano.
Y lo más alucinante es lo entretenido que logras hacerlo, porque, a primera vista, tus lectores podrían llevarse un chasco con la aparente simpleza del planteamiento, ya que en principio esta saga es una aventura fantástica y mágica en la que se recorre todo el mundo y se derrota a magos poderosos y la has reducido a una novela rural con ligeros tintes mágicos y mitológicos. Pero no, en ningún momento se me hizo aburrida, pesada o desilusionante. Profundizar en las vidas y en el carácter de los personajes, entender sus perspectivas y sus sentimientos al, por ejemplo, verse discriminados, ninguneados, odiados... si para mostrar esa parte de la Historia hay que sacrificar las aventuras y las peripecias, adelante.
Chapó, Ursula.
*11 años después sacó el siguiente.
Y en el libro final de la saga (escrito 18 años después del anterior) rompes con todo eso, de un mundo enorme y lleno de posibilidades reduces toda la acción a un par de ciudades de una isla rural y despojas a los personajes de lo que más les definía, a una mujer famosa en todo el mundo la transformas en una campesina viuda y al mago más grande y poderoso de Terramar le arrebatas sus poderes, con el fin de preguntarte como se construye una identidad cuando te han quitado todo lo que has sido a lo largo de tu vida, para hablar de como afecta la magia, o más bien como afecta la falta de ella, al mundo sencillo y rural, al mundo cotidiano.
Y lo más alucinante es lo entretenido que logras hacerlo, porque, a primera vista, tus lectores podrían llevarse un chasco con la aparente simpleza del planteamiento, ya que en principio esta saga es una aventura fantástica y mágica en la que se recorre todo el mundo y se derrota a magos poderosos y la has reducido a una novela rural con ligeros tintes mágicos y mitológicos. Pero no, en ningún momento se me hizo aburrida, pesada o desilusionante. Profundizar en las vidas y en el carácter de los personajes, entender sus perspectivas y sus sentimientos al, por ejemplo, verse discriminados, ninguneados, odiados... si para mostrar esa parte de la Historia hay que sacrificar las aventuras y las peripecias, adelante.
Chapó, Ursula.
*11 años después sacó el siguiente.
truthlessofcanada's review against another edition
slow-paced
4.0
Tehanu was another unique story, and we are back to the protagonist of The Tombs of Atuan, and in my opinion this is the same level of quality.
This is very much a slice of life book. The protagonist of ToA has lived a life, it takes place about 25 years after that. One day she finds a child who has been the victim of a horrible crime, and has had half of her face and a lot of her body burned from being pushed into the fire. Tenar adopts this child, who is named Therru, and the book is largely about their relationship, and raising this child.
It also deals with grief, as some familiar faces you have seen are getting very old.
For those who have read The Fitz and The Fool Trilogy, this book give of serious Fool's Assassin vibes.
I think those who like the found family trope, and a slower burn slice of life book will really enjoy this.
One thing that is kinda annoying me in these last couple books, is how having a king is solving so many problems. Historically it seems a lot more likely they will cause problems, but whatever.
8.2/10, same score of The Tombs of Atuan, but I think I like the Tombs of Atuan a little bit more. Although in general I like the Tenar focused stories more then Ged stories.
This is very much a slice of life book. The protagonist of ToA has lived a life, it takes place about 25 years after that. One day she finds a child who has been the victim of a horrible crime, and has had half of her face and a lot of her body burned from being pushed into the fire. Tenar adopts this child, who is named Therru, and the book is largely about their relationship, and raising this child.
It also deals with grief, as some familiar faces you have seen are getting very old.
For those who have read The Fitz and The Fool Trilogy, this book give of serious Fool's Assassin vibes.
I think those who like the found family trope, and a slower burn slice of life book will really enjoy this.
One thing that is kinda annoying me in these last couple books, is how having a king is solving so many problems. Historically it seems a lot more likely they will cause problems, but whatever.
8.2/10, same score of The Tombs of Atuan, but I think I like the Tombs of Atuan a little bit more. Although in general I like the Tenar focused stories more then Ged stories.
limbero's review against another edition
4.0
Ursula K. Le Guin is unparalleled in writing about relatable ordinary people in both ordinary and extraordinary circumstances, and Tehanu is no different.
ddmgembala's review against another edition
5.0
My favorite of all the Earthsea Cycle. Le Guin's fantasy is able to evoke a rich and complex world while at the same time taking place on the level of the ordinary. Beautifully written, a wonderful tale, and amazing characters.
rachelish's review against another edition
2.0
I can't really remember but it def wasn't as good as the original trilogy...
landminecat's review against another edition
3.0
The dark and honest portrayal of serious themes such as child abuse and sexism, is very well executed and thought provoking, but the story itself is not a strong enough frame to hold it up and solidify the weight of the subject matter. Overall i thought it was a mostly good book that didn't quite flow properly.
hanamarma's review against another edition
5.0
Wow, I loved this book. A feminist fantasy novel? Yes, please! Best of the series so far.
moonknitter's review against another edition
5.0
This was my favorite book of the series and probably my current favorite Ursula le guin book. I was explaining the series to someone who thought it sounded like Harry Potter. I wouldn’t have thought of it but if there is any series that can top and replace Harry Potter since JK Rowling is a TERF it would be this. So many interesting nuggets of society, governance, and power in this series too but with dragons on top of that. What more do you need