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2/15/2012

THE TOMBS OF ATUAN BY URSULA K. LE GUIN

The Tombs of Atuan (The Earthsea Cycle #2)
By Ursula K. Le Guin
Release Date1971
Publisher: SImon Pulse
Age Group: Science Fiction
Pages: 192
SourceBought
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Synopsis (from Goodreads): In this second book of Le Guin's Earthsea series, readers will meet Tenar, a priestess to the "Nameless Ones" who guard the catacombs of the Tombs of Atuan. Only Tenar knows the passageways of this dark labyrinth, and only she can lead the young wizard Sparrowhawk, who stumbles into its maze, to the greatest treasure of all. Will she?

Standing by the fantasy/science fiction section of Barnes & Noble I was first introduced to Ursula Le Guin by my sister. And I have to say that I haven't looked back since. That night I looked up her work and then bought 'The Tombs of Atuan' the next week. I read through this book in a couple of days (and that was me delaying it a bit because I liked it so much).

The story is simple and microscopic. By that I mean that Le Guin does not have a assembly line of characters but a few that grab onto to you and don't let go. Tenar and Ged are especially compelling characters that reel you in to their world. Tenar is innocent yet strong and Ged is mysteriously layered. You want to know where these characters have been and where they are going which is a testament to Le Guin's story telling.

I was also mezmerized by the world of Earthsea and it's brilliant descriptions. Le Guin is a master of world building creating a world that leapt off of the page.

I bought this book not knowing that it was the second in the Earthsea series. I am definitely going to read them all and hope that you get the chance to experience this literary treasure.

2 comments:

  1. Sounds exactly like what I like to read! Have you read Juliet Marillier's Sevenwater's Trilogy starting with Daughter of the Forest. It also has a small number of characters but the benefit is that there is a lot of character development. I highly recommend her work.

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  2. Hey Alison, yes I have heard of Juliet Marillier. As a matter of fact my sister has been getting me to read Daughter of the Forest because it is one of her all time favourite books. She, like you, felt really connected to the characters. I have her copy and hope to get to it very soon. Thanks!

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