From the Bookshelf of Ursula K. Le Guin Slow-Motion Reread…

The Tombs of Atuan (Earthsea Cycle, #2)

Ursula K. Le Guin

Start date: December 1, 2018

Finish date: December 31, 2018

Discussion: 201812: The Tombs of Atuan

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201812: The Tombs of Atuan

2012812: The Tombs of Atuan (discussion - spoilers okay)
By Chaos · 7 posts · 6 views

last updated Apr 15, 2022 01:32PM

201812: The Tombs of Atuan (intro - no spoilers)
By Chaos · 1 post · 5 views

last updated Dec 01, 2018 10:33AM

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May 04, 2018 Bracicot rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2018

I didn't read this series as a kid, which is very surprising to me, since I was reading off my older brother's bookshelf and I can't imagine that Earthsea got past him. But I am reading them now, in my mid-late forties, with advanced literature degrees, and I'm Noticing Things.

I like this one better than "Wizard" - I like the way that Arha/Tehan approaches faith, the way the novel gradually unveils that this approach is itself a form of desperation, replacing the sense of self and identity that I didn't read this series as a kid, which is very surprising to me, since I was reading off my older brother's bookshelf and I can't imagine that Earthsea got past him. But I am reading them now, in my mid-late forties, with advanced literature degrees, and I'm Noticing Things.

I like this one better than "Wizard" - I like the way that Arha/Tehan approaches faith, the way the novel gradually unveils that this approach is itself a form of desperation, replacing the sense of self and identity that she was denied when she became The Unnamed. I like the way this eventually colors her experience and approach to the aftermath. I like the ways that Ged reassures her that her gods are real, even though they may be neither gods nor worthy of worship.

I find myself thinking of "Logan's Run" of all things, another book where sheltered people who have been controlled by a destructive religious ritual face unknown tempters and emerge from their shelters into the world.

I find myself more interested in Ged in this book than in "Wizard" as well. Arha/Tehan seems to force him to share more of his own motivations and emotional gearwork than in the earlier novel. I like the way that "Tombs" adds cultural significance to several of the events of "Wizard."

I finally find myself much more interested in the naming of names. I wondered reading "Earthsea" if Leguin might not be the originator of the notion of True Names. I suspect it must be older, though - what children can mistake the trouble that accompanies when Mother uses their full names?

But Leguin *could* be where True Names enter popular fiction. I'd have to go hunting. But now I am thinking of Madeline L'Engel, too, of Meg reminding others who they are by naming them, and being reminded in turn who she is. There is power in names.

I love the tiny scene where Ged calls a rabbit and they discuss whether magic is good only for big things like holding off earthquakes. Tehan concedes that perhaps magic is good for smaller things like calling a rabbit, and Ged demurs that what could be bigger than hospitality and how we treat strangers.

On the whole, I think "Tombs" is very rich, much richer than "Wizard," although I also liked that book.

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1 like · Like · see review

Sep 22, 2020 Sharyn is currently reading it · review of another edition

May 04, 2013 Mya R rated it it was amazing

Shelves: speculative-fiction, auth-anglo, z-2020-reread

Jan 27, 2017 Jed Hartman added it · review of another edition

Nov 16, 2020 Frederic Bush rated it it was amazing

Apr 14, 2022 David rated it really liked it

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