15th May: The Girl Who Drank the Moon // A Wizard of Earthsea

[Auntie Terror]

This is a thread for a double Buddy Read for

and

Participants:
Aqsa (both)
Auntie Terror (both)
Erin (The Girl Who Drank the Moon)

Start date: 15th May 2018


Anyone who feels like joining us for either or both of the books, feel free to join. :-) The more, the merrier.

[Erin]

I'm in for The Girl Who Drank the Moon.

[Auntie Terror]

Erin wrote: "I'm in for The Girl Who Drank the Moon."

Great - welcome aboard. ;-)

[Auntie Terror]

Today being the 15th of my, I'm going to start with the books now. I'm really keen on them. :-)

[Erin]

I’ve got another read I’m catching up on today. But I’ll be starting The Girl Who Drank the Moon tomorrow for sure.

[Auntie Terror]

So, first thoughts, though I'm not that far in yet:

A Wizard of Earthsea: I'm amazed at how similar Ged feels to Kvothe - or rather the other way around, Ged being the older character. I like Le Guin's style of writing, too.

The Girl who Drank the Moon: This very obviously is a book for younger readers, and I'm certain I would have loved it as a kid. I like the narrative voice as well as the quirky characters, especially Xan who reminds me so much of the witches in Terry Pratchett's Discworld novels. I'm very curious about how special the girl will prove in what way.

I'll be on a festival over the weekend, so I won't make much further reading progress or comments. ;-)

[Coll]

Le guin is supposed to be famous for blending cultures

[Auntie Terror]

A Wizard of Earthsea: (view spoiler)[I'm still amazed at how similar the character deveolpment of Ged and Kvothe is. He has arrived at the school yet, and has already found himself a bully and excelled in all he does... (hide spoiler)]

The Girl who Drank the Moon: (view spoiler)[ After my initial enthusiasm, I felt a little daunted, when Xan turns too much into a granny. But now that the background story begins to develop, I'm all in again. I'm very curious as to who Luna turns out to be - and as to how the past got so distorted and the Protectorate so shut off from the rest of the world. (hide spoiler)]

[Auntie Terror]

So, how is everybody getting along?

I'm through both books, and I enjoyed either.

The Girl who Drank the Moon was definitely a book for younger readers, and I'd have been crazy about it as a child, I guess. It was lovely and sweet, had a lot of great characters and ideas, and breathtakingly exciting in some parts.

A Wizard of Earthsea was another example for me that women write (High) Fantasy in a different way than men. Le Guin definietly was one of the great voices of the genre, and I am amazed how little she is cited as an inspiration or influence by (male) authors, when obviously so many have been more than just touched by her writing.

[Erin]

Auntie Terror wrote: "So, how is everybody getting along?

I'm through both books, and I enjoyed either.

The Girl who Drank the Moon was definitely a book for younger readers, and I'd have been crazy about it as a chil..."

I owe you a huge apology. I just came back across this and realized that I never did post my views on the story.

What a cute story. I love the poetic writing style of this author. I think this book could be easily translated into a Disney or a Pixar film. There is a loss at the beginning that is terribly sad. There is an interesting and engaging antagonist. There are fun characters and a large emphasis on color and visual aspects to the story. I have to admit though, although it was fun to read about why the focus on paper? The connection never registered for me outside of it simply being an expression of magic. If this is the case that’s fine. Maybe I’m reading more into it than is needed to appreciate this story.