The Other Wind
Publishers Weekly Review: A superb novel-length addition to the Earthsea universe, one that, once again, turns that entire series on its head. Alder, the man who unwittingly initiates the transformation of Earthsea, is a humble sorcerer who specializes in fixing broken pots and repairing fence lines, but when his beloved wife, Lily, dies, he is inconsolable. He begins to dream of the land of the dead and sees both Lily and other shades reaching out to him across the low stone wall that separates them from the land of the living. Soon, more general signs and portents begin to disturb Earthsea. The dragons break their long-standing truce and begin to move east. The new ruler of the Kargad Lands sends his daughter west in an attempt to wed her to King Lebannen. Even Ged, the former archmage, now living in peaceful, self-imposed exile on Gont, starts to have disturbing dreams. In Tehanu (1990), the fourth book in the series, Le Guin rethought the traditional connection between gender and magic that she had assumed in the original Earthsea trilogy. In her new novel, however, she reconsiders the relationship between magic and something even more basic: life and death itself.
The Other Wind by Ursula K. Le Guin is the sixth book in the Earthsea Cycle series and I’m going to do something slightly different with this post. It will be a in Q&A style.
What led you to pick up this book? I have read the first five books in the series and I must, must, MUST read the sixth.
Summarize the plot minus spoilers: I’m going to take the easy way out for this one, so please see the review above by Publishers Weekly (PW) because PW tells it so well!
What did you like most about the book? Things are changing in the realm of Earthsea. I love revisiting all the characters found in Books 1 to 5. Frankly I am excited with everything that’s going on at Earthsea. I am also sad that the lives of some of the heroes in the stories are changed, but it is all for the good.
What did you think of the main character? I am not sure if I could name a single main character because in this installment, it really is all characters put together. Having said that, I liked the Princess from Kargad Lands who is to be wedded to King Lebannen. She projects hostility but that is because she is lonely and frightened being in a foreign land. She also does not speak Hardic, a language spoken by the King. Even Lebannen does not like her because she is sending all the negative vibes. However, Tenar befriends her and teaches her the language. As time goes by, King Lebannen begins to change his attitude towards the princess.
What about the ending? I liked the ending. The author has created characters that are memorable and a story that is profound. This is not an ordinary fantasy series.
Would you recommend this book? YES!
Should anyone NOT be encouraged to read it? Why? I can’t think of any reasons for that—well, maybe if you’re allergic to fantasy, then it’s best to stay away… This is such a great story on many levels.
Would you read more books by this author? Definitely.
Would you re-read the book? Yes, and the entire Earthsea series. I love this series to bits.
Related Posts:
A Wizard of Earthsea (Book 1 of the Earthsea Cycle series)
The Tombs of Atuan (Book 2 of the Earthsea Cycle series)
The Farthest Shore (Book 3 of the Earthsea Cycle series)
Tehanu (Book 4 of the Earthsea Cycle series)