About

This fan-listing is for the Earthsea Series written by Ursula K. Le Guin.

The Earthsea Series is 6 books (at the time of this writing): A Wizard of Earthsea, The Tombs of Atuan, The Farthest Shore, Tehanu, and The Other Wind. There is another book of stories that take place in Earthsea, Tales From Earthsea, indeed, I would recommend that you read it, as it sets up The Other Wind but I don't know if I would consider it part of the "Trilogy".

A Wizard of Earthsea chronicals the youth of Sparrowhawk, later known as Ged. Ged's lust for power almost undoes him but he makes a good end.

The Tombs of Atuan follows the One Priestess, Arha: Tenar who was. Arha learns the rites of the Nameless Ones. One day someone invades the spaces of the Nameless Ones and Arha must decide whether to let him finish his task or to let him die the death of a thief.

The Farthest Shore Arren, Prince of Enlad comes to Roke to tell the Archmage of a strange and omnious happening: the magic of Earthsea seems to be drying up. Arren accompanies the Archmage on his investigations and becomes a true man on the farthest shore.

Tehanu: Tenar of Gont takes a poor child, disfigured by horrible burns as her ward. She teaches the child her ways, trying to honor Ogion's final wishes. The child has great power that many either fear or wish to abuse.

Tales from Earthesa: Covers such subjects as: The Dark Times, during which Otter travels Earthsea and helps to found the Wizard's School on Roke. A mage, possibly more powerful than the archmage leaves Roke because his mind breaks and finds sanctuary on a far island. The tale of Darkrose and Diamond. The Tale of Dragonfly of Old Iria on Way who is more than she appears to be.

The Other Wind: Alder dreams of his dead wife Lily reaching to him over the wall that divides the land of the living from the Dry Land of the dead. The dead reach out to him begging to be saved. He goes to Roke for answers. The entire world of Earthsea is changing.

My Experiences with the Books

I first learned about the Earthsea books when I was in 8th grade. In English/Literature class we read the short story "The Rule of Names". I can't even remember what struck me about that story any more- I can't say if it was the inclusion of dragons, magic, or even simply the world of Earthsea itself. All I can remember is that I was ravenous for more about Earthsea. It took me until I was a sophomore in highschool to get my hands on all of the Earthsea books (there were 4 at the time plus the short stories) and I read them over and over again.

I do remember thinking that the rules of magic were a little gender-biased but that was neatly solved when Tales From Earthsea came out. My favorite character was Ged because I could identify with his hunger for self-actualization and the price he paid for it. I also envied Tenar a little bit because she wound up with Ged. I was overjoyed when The Other Wind came out and very happy with the story it presented because I had felt sorry for the Hardic people and their bleak afterlife. Oops... If you haven't read The Other Wind forget that I mentioned it.

I am looking forward to more Earthsea books or stories... perhaps there shall be one soon as Ursula K. Le Guin is taking time off to write in 2005.

Why "Song of Life"?

I was hard put to find something that reflected my love of the Earthsea books. It occurred to me that I would find life in the setting of the novels a very good life, that, and the novels seem to celebrate life- Hence the title.