Darkness, Wizards and Dragons - Rated 
This is the first in a series of books. There are 4 novels in the series and two collections of short stories. It follows the life and career of Ged a young man from the Island of Gont. Le Guin has created a very unique world, a world that is mostly water and each nation is a collection of islands. This book is also one of a few that has children's teens and adult editions in print.
Ged apprentices to the local Wizard on God, and is eventually sent to the school for wizards on Havnor. There in anger during a fight with other youths he releases a dark shadow, an evil. The Masters of the school appear and banish it from the island. However this shadow and Ged are now tied together in a very unique way.
After leaving the school Ged becomes haunted by the shadow he has released. He tries to return to the protection of Havnor but cannot return to the island the magic protecting the island will not let him approach. So he decides to head south.
The shadow is getting closer and closer to him, and he must discern it's true name or else he will not be able to defeat it. Can he solve the puzzle, will he wrestle with his shadow and win or will he succumb to the evil he has let loose.
This is a book I first read back in highschool. Then a few years back had to read it for an English literature course at the University of Waterloo I was about a third of the way through it when I realized I had read it before and that is when I found our that the story continued. Since then the two collections of short stories have been published in this world.
Le Guin deals with some big questions of life in this book. Such questions as:
Who am I?
Do I have a role or purpose in life?
Can I defeat the darkness within me?
Can good conquer over evil?
Why am I here?
Can I make a difference?
This book will be a good read for anyone who has ever struggled with some of these questions. Or who wants to use a novel to help them grow to have a deeper understanding of themselves.
Brilliant audio production - Rated
I loved a Wizard of Earthsea as a young teenager and these days am a fan of audio books. This one is marvellously produced and I thoroughly enjoyed listening to it.
Fantasy where character counts - Rated
I first read A wizard of Earthsea over 30 years ago and I still love it now. The characters are believable, human and fallible. The world of Earthsea rings true. The story has a consistent logic and is very well written. It is almost a story of real life written in a fantasy world, rather than a fantasy story.
The story concerns a young man's journey from boyhood as he discovers magical powers and learns to use them - and learns how and when to use them. It is also a story of his personal development from an arrogant know-it-all to fully-rounded man. There are main themes about self-control and friendship. It is a book, as is real life, about making choices and facing up to the consequences of the choices on makes.
Outstanding - Rated
Outstanding production from Craftsman of one of the great fantasy novels. `A Wizard of Earthsea', the first in Ursula K. Le Guin's Earthsea series, introduces us to Sparrowhawk, who after discovering he has an affinity for magic becomes a wizard's apprentice. However, Sparrowhawk goes too far with one spell he casts, and so begins an epic battle between himself and the mysterious shadow that his spell has called.
As Sparrowhawk discovers his true name, he comes to the realisation that he cannot avoid a showdown with this shadowy creature that stalks him. The elegant prose and Karen Archer's narration grip you from the start, and by the end of the first CD I simply knew I would have to read the rest of the Earthsea series.
Rich, salty magic - Rated
This novel was everything I'd hoped for in a book about magic, without the feel-good fairiness of JK Rowling and more with the gravitas of Tolkien. Through its vividly imagined world and layers of responsible depth to the nature of her magic and lore, it's truly a long-lasting classic for the mind and spirit. I see that it was written in 1968, so it's not all that far behind Tolkien. My only criticism is that it suffers from the same patchy slowness as Tolkien's epic too (JRRT's continual descriptions of passing countryside), but it is of course more than worth it for enhancing detail, glows of companionship and atmosphere, and a strong message; a central concept or premise concerning our 'shadows'. The writing is rich and to relish. The voyage demands patience, but it rewards well to those who are thoughtful, wary and wise. If only a masterful movie could be made to bring it to the world one day also! I've only just finished it, and am thrilled with the thought that there are 3 more to go.....I hope she can maintain this standard. I shall remember well the lore within.
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