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May 27, 2011

Jeanette rated it:

The Farthest Shore was written for tweens and teens, so if you just want a good fantasy full of adventure and daring and DRAGONS (the best part!), ignore all of the following and just enjoy.

This is a story the meaning of which will derive from the beliefs of the individual reader. Had I read it when I still held spiritual beliefs, I would doubtless have fit the story into a framework of religious allegory and symbolism. As I am now comfortable in my unbelief, I focused on the more c More...

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Jun 23, 2007

Jerzy rated it:

As usual with Le Guin's books, the flow of the plot is not the strong point. It's more about the sum of experiences and discussions that the characters have, if that makes any sense. So although this one has a more hackneyed plot than any other book of hers I've read, there are (as usual) quite a few really nice moments and deep insights. She spins out some more thoughts about balance and equilibrium, continuing the conversation from A Wizard of Earthsea. Here, Earthsea is being overrun by greyn More...

0 comments like (5 people liked it)

Sep 20, 2007

Cristen rated it:

When I picked up this series I never thought I'd be learning valuable life lessons from it. NEVER. But the author touches on some interesting subjects, like life and death and sacrifice. It's not as kid friendly as the first two. But still a well written and thought provoking story.

"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 seperated, nor mixed."

More...

1 comment like (1 person liked it)

Aug 12, 2011

"Mhd Haikal" rated it:

Waktu itu jam 2 pagi ketika menyelesaikan membaca buku ini... Sambil menarik nafas panjang dan menyeluarkannya lagi, terucap kata 'nikmat'. Yah itulah kesan ketika akhir membaca buku ini. Selain bertamasya ke dunia earthsea, kita seperti mendapatkan sesuatu yang baru.

Mungkin beberapa orang lebih suka buku pertama daripada buku ini. Tetapi saya pribadi lebih menyukai buku ketiga. Indah, luas, segar dan detil. seperti menerima hidangan di restoran berbintang.

Dimulai ketika More...

4 comments like (1 person liked it)

May 20, 2011

Cyndy rated it:

My husband was absolutely convinced after we saw the atrocious Earthsea miniseries on the SciFi Channel that I needed to read all of Ursula LeGuin's Earthsea Cycle books for myself. I was skeptical after the sheer awfulness of the miniseries, but after completing the first two novels in the Cycle (A Wizard of Earthsea and The Tombs of Atuan), I was beyond eager to get to the original conclusion of the Earthsea Cycle (which has since been added to): The Farthest Shore.

::: Ged and Arren More...

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May 16, 2011

Shep rated it:

People like to talk about "The Golden Compass" as the athiestic answer to C. S. Lewis' Narnia series. However Ursula Le Guin's series has a far better claim to this title. In these books, the most trenchant critiques of religion, and the best arguments for humanism are presented. In the first book, the greatest enemy is within the protagonist, who must name his darkest self in order to overcome. Old powers are present throughout, and fear is their power. In the second book we see this More...

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Apr 05, 2011

Aaron rated it:

This book is a great return to the high seas questing and discovery that I loved so much about the first book.

Set even further into Ged's life, the book again takes another as its main character, shifting the perspective to a young prince who joins Ged on his quest to find the source of a great evil. The novel has more to discover than either of the other two, and it features more of the dragons that inhabit Earthsea. I appreciate these dragons; like many, they are old, wise, and s More...

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Mar 13, 2011

Benjamin added it

Perhaps as good as the first two in the Earthsea cycle, The Farthest Shore seems to me to be too much of a retread thematically, and only slightly necessary for the way it completes the issue of the reunification of the archipelago into a single kingdom under a wise king, an issue which has come up in the first two books.

See, in this book, old Ged is now mentor to a kid, which is kind of what he does in the second book; and he faces a sorcerer who tears open a hole between the lands of More...

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Jan 23, 2011

Jeremy rated it:

A thinly veiled metaphor for criticism on drug culture, perhaps? The high fantasy story of a world that has turned it's back on real "magic" and favors escape into an opium induced trance. Except in this story the "nameless ones" return, perhaps, as the antagonist... an old mage who is luring people to a stead of being undead on the isle of Selidor.

Perhaps one of the most enjoyable elements of this book, for me, was the "romantic" relationship between Ged, More...

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Oct 19, 2010

Bryn rated it:

In the third of Ursula Le Guinn's Earthsea books, Sparrowhawk the mage is a much older, wiser man. We see him through the eyes of Arren - a Prince making the jouney from boy to man, and devoted to the mage. Magic is dying, and the two set out to discover what has gone wrong and try and save the world.

It's not just the magic being lost - all the joy, skill and art is leaving the world. Creativity, hope and inspiraiton are stripped away. I could not help but read this book and see para More...

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Mar 28, 2010

Surreysmum rated it:

[These notes were made in 1981:]. The young king-to-be and the old wizard set out for the end of the world to conquer the forces of darkness - not death, but the denial of death. It has everything - the initiation of the young man, a trip to the underworld, dragons, and a primal struggle between the strongest representative of Good and strongest of Evil. And the young man comes back from his ordeal ready to benefit the world. The whole thing would make Campbell's heart beat with delight. But More...

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Jan 10, 2010

Christine rated it:

Not as emotionally riveting as "Tombs of Atuan," but better written than both "Tombs" and "Wizard of Earthsea." It's clear Le Guin has fully mastered writing as a craft by this book. The reader is plunged into the action immediately, and the pacing and plotting in the latter half of the book are handled perfectly. However, the new protagonist, Arren, though likeable and well-characterized, is just not as interesting as Tenar and Ged were. Which I hate to say, be More...

0 comments like (1 person liked it)

Jul 14, 2009

Nikki rated it:

When I first read Earthsea, this was probably my least favourite book. Probably because throughout it the world I've started to love is dying and in pain. The pain isn't just the characters, it's the whole world; it's less a personal journey and of significance for the whole of the world. I mean, it wasn't like a Ged-gebbeth wasn't a big threat to the world, or finding the ring of Erreth-Akbe wasn't important, but the story in this world is all about the failing of the world -- not a single thin More...

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Aug 17, 2011

Vivliorasis rated it:

Ο νεαρός γιός του Πρίγκιπα των Ενλάδων, ο Άρεν, καταφθάνει στην νήσο Ροκ κομίζοντας στους εννέα θεματοφύλακες των μαγικών τεχνών που διδάσκουν εκεί την πανάρχαια τέχνη, δυσάρεστα νέα. Ο Γέροντας Αρχιμάγιστρος Γκεν, ο Κοσμήτορας της Σχολής, θα διακρίνει στο πρόσωπο του παιδιού κάτι βαθύ και ελπιδοφόρο· την πιθανότητα της εκπλήρωσης μιας παλιάς, αλλά όχι ξεχασμένης, υπόσχεσης. Οι δυο τους θα βγουν μαζί στο Αρχιπέλαγος της Γαιοθάλασσας αναζητώντας τη βαθιά πληγή στο μεδούλι ενός κόσμου, που δεν είν More...

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Jan 02, 2010

Kyle rated it:

From the back cover "Ursula K. Le Guin's Earthsea Cycle has earned a treasured place on the shelves of fantasy lovers everywhere, alongside the works of such beloved authors as J. R. R. Tolkien and C. S. Lewis." ......I just don't get it. If you're looking for an escape, read the Earthsea books, but don't look for more.

I just never really believed any of the characters and I never feared for the ending. By about the first quarter of the book I KNEW that whats-his-name w More...

0 comments like (1 person liked it)

Nov 15, 2011

Elisa rated it:

Kaukaisin ranta ilmestyi vuonna 1972 trilogian viimeisenä osana. Neljäs osa Tehanu ilmestyi vasta vuonna 1990. Tätä en aiemmin ollut tiennyt. Jos on nähnyt Goro Miyazakin Maameren tarinoihin pohjaavan animaatioelokuvan, niin tästä kolmannesta löytänee tähän mennessä eniten yhteyksiä siihen - joskin myös tulee huomaamaan, että leffassa on otettu vapauksia sekä juonen että hahmojen suhteen suht reippaasti. Kirjat ovat ehdottomasti lukemisen arvoisia, jos yhtään on jäänyt vaivaamaan elokuvan hahmoj More...

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Jan 08, 2012

Vidi rated it:

Bacalah buku ini ketika masih anak-anak, maka kita akan menemukan sebuah fantasi seru ala Neverending Story-nya Michael Ende. Penuh dengan sihir, perjalanan dan naga-naga.

Bacalah buku ini ketika dewasa, maka kita akan menemukan percakapan-percakapan penuh dengan alegori kehidupan.

Dualisme yang disajikan dalam buku ketiga ini adalah dualisme purba dalam pemikiran manusia. Kehidupan dan kematian.

“... Kematian dan Kehidupan merupakan hal yang sama – seperti dua More...

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Jul 31, 2010

Cat rated it:

A beautiful, mournful book about mortality, power, and humility. Le Guin returns to her themes of cyclicality and balance, and at first, I thought I would like this book less because its ecological and social messages are initially very heavy-handed: magic is dying out of the word, while political strife, drug abuse, chaotic markets, and cultural ignorance grow strong. It felt like The Neverending Story, and there was even a boy, Arren, who arrives, meeting the old mage Ged, seeking wonder thr More...

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Oct 02, 2010

Adam rated it:

The Farthest Shore is quite an unusual fantasy book, even for the Earthsea trilogy. Its extremely odd plot only barely works or makes sense. The fact that the aesthetics and tropes of the fantasy genre are only used superficially and gratuitously, to paint the story in a certain color, is more obvious here than it was in the other two books. Having Arren be descended from ancient heroes and heir to the throne of a kingdom that has been foundering without one seems anachronistic for an enlight More...

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Jan 29, 2010

Ted rated it:

In these days of Harry Potter and His Dark Materials, the Earthsea books are under-appreciated and might seem dated but I think that is a historical anomaly that will eventually rectify itself for no other reason than the uniqueness and subtle strength of these books. Le Guin writes her ideas into stories that are patient and calm. High fantasy might not seem like the best place to write about Taoism but Le Guin does it in her usual comfortable and confident fashion.
The Farthest S More...

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Feb 06, 2012

Asif rated it:

I just heard the audio-book version of this novel (which I'd read before and greatly enjoyed) and this version elevates it to a great book!The reading was well performed and the story as classic as ever...

Magic is failing all over Earthsea and Prince Arren, heir to the throne, is sent by his father to the Island of Roke to seek council from the Wise--chief amongst whom is the Archmage Ged, known by the use-name of Sparrowhawk (hero of A Wizard of Earthsea). He is now the chief wizard More...

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Apr 30, 2011

Trixie rated it:

I honestly really did like this book. It was a little hard to keep on pressing forward because I guess the way it's written is a little daunting. It's mostly description that the author uses, and dialogue is not the strongest forte in this book. That's why I like it so much. It's different than the books that are being written now; It has the element of sending the plot of the story by just using diction. The world that Guin created throughout this trilogy truly is beautiful, and it's nothing li More...

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Apr 19, 2009

Kate rated it:

I know Le Guin's written more Earthsea books, but I really enjoy the trilogy -- the way it's constructed. This last book is a beautiful closing. The last great act of a great man. His life nicely progressed with the first book being about his coming into his power and his realization of the responsibility such power brings, the price such power costs. The second book an interlude where he goes on a foolish quest that nearly kills him. Then there's this last quest because bringing peace to h More...

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Dec 07, 2011

Matthew rated it:

It is a very good book, a story of good versus evil. In the story, two characters, one of them who was in the other books, one who is new in this book, set out to find why some wizards in the farther islands are losing their power. It started out a bit dull but gets more exciting the closer you get to the end. It is a very interesting story because there are some parts that leave you guessing at what will happen next, and some parts that draw you in so that you can't even think about what will h More...

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Jun 02, 2011

Mikel rated it:

There were some interesting concepts in this book. I liked that she really brought home her underlying theme for the previous two books and her concepts on death were interesting and definitely provided plenty of food for thought.

Some of her soap box philosophies didn't ring true and jarred with the rest of the book. There was a part where Ged/Sparrowhawk has just saved Arren from a slaver ship; when Arren asks him why he didn’t save the other slaves Ged starts talking about how doi More...

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Feb 17, 2011

Ben rated it:

The best of the first three Earthsea novels, The Farthest Shore combines a deep (and, finally, satisfying) mystery with Le Guin's phenomenal character development. While A Wizard of Earthsea has a fairly interesting mystery and great world-building, it is somewhat lacking in strong character development (though it has some deeply compelling moments). Tombs of Atuan is stronger with character development, but lacks the mystery (and the satisfying conclusion). The Farthest Shore manages to deve More...

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Aug 29, 2011

Anna rated it:

the farthest shore is a good fantasy novel, but i say that with some disappointment, because a wizard of earthsea and its sequel, the tombs of atuan, aren't fantasy novels. they're something closer to fairy tales. we never needed to know what goes on when the masters of roke meet in the secret clearing, or to know what the dragons' run is. this is the strength of the books: they're not about those places, but about the internal journeys of the characters. the antagonists of the earlier books are More...

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Aug 09, 2011

John rated it:

This is my first Ursula Le Guin novel, although I've read some of her short stories. Earthsea is a fully-realized world, and it's obvious she spent a lot of time thinking this world through. I like the ideas in this book, and all the lore of wizardry. Ged is a compelling character, but Arren and the rest of the characters seem a bit wooden to me. There were long stretches with only Arren and Ged on their journey, and they didn't interact enough for my taste. Le Guin does a lot of exposition and More...

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Dec 07, 2010

Robyn rated it:

Listened to this on audio book. I had not read the Ursula Le Guin EarthSea series since I was a teenager. Though I enjoyed the first 2 books in the series, I found The Farthest Shore difficult to get through and a few times I came close to giving up on the book. I am not sure if it was the narrator that wore me down, it was the same as the 1st 2 books, or the fact that this one was about 3 hours longer then Wizard of EartSea or Tombs of Attun.
I have wondered if what I look for in a book and More...

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Jun 04, 2009

Alex rated it:

This book could have been improved by a map. The first book had a map, the second didn't but didn't really need one. During this one I was in desperate need of a map. I mean I could have looked at the map from the first one, but I had already returned that to the library. I'm not taking any stars off, just complaining. It is otherwise an excellent book, and would have made a great ending to the series, though it was eventually superseded. She definitely makes her break from JRR in the endin More...

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