Title: A Wizard of EarthSea
Series: EarthSea, book 1
Author: Ursula K LeGuin
Narrator: Rob Inglis
Publisher: Recorded Books
Duration: 7 hours, 13 minutes
Copyright: 1992
Genres: fantasy, adventure
Filed in: Audiobook reviews
Review copy provided by Kearney Public Library.
PUBLISHER’S SUMMARY: "The shapeless mass of darkness split apart. It sundered, and a pale spindle of light gleamed between his open arms. In the oval of light there moved a human shape: a tall woman ... beautiful, and sorrowful, and full of fear." - from A Wizard of Earthsea, first in a tetralogy that includes The Tombs of Atuan and The Farthest Shore, introduces the listener to Ged, the greatest sorcerer in all Earthsea, known also as Sparrowhawk. When Sparrowhawk casts a spell that saves his village from destruction at the hands of the invading Kargs, Ogion, the Mage of Re Albi, encourages the boy to apprentice himself in the art of wizardry. So, at the age of 13, the boy receives his true name - Ged - and gives himself over to the gentle tutelage of the Master Ogion. But impatient with the slowness of his studies and infatuated with glory, Ged embarks for the Island of Roke, where the highest arts of wizardry are taught. There, Ged's natural talents enable him to surpass his classmates in little time. But when his vanity prompts him to summon Elfarran, the fair lady of the Deed of Enlad, he unleashes a shapeless mass of darkness, the shadow.
©1968 Ursula K. Le Guin; (P)1992 Recorded Books, LLC
MY THOUGHTS: Hmm, an orphan boy discovers he is a wizard and goes off to wizard school where he becomes the most powerful wizard of his age. What a neat story idea, and Ursula K LeGuin beat J K Rowling to it by about thirty years. Fear not, while Ged and Harry Potter form an interesting parallel, there’s no rip-off here.
To tell you the truth, I don’t really like fantasy audiobooks that much, but there are always exceptions. I was drawn to LeGuin’s EarthSea series because someone compared it to Tolkien’s “Lord of the Rings.” It seems to me that LeGuin was influenced by Tolkien, but no one can measure up to him and I don’t think it’s a fair comparison. What I enjoyed about “A Wizard of EarthSea” was getting a more in-depth look at wizards in general. Tolkien didn’t delve into wizardry very deeply and I was curious to know more.
NARRATOR: Did someone say “Lord of the Rings?” Well, as a matter of fact, Rob Inglis did narrate Tolkien’s audiobooks. He did an excellent job with “A Wizard of EarthSea” just as he did on LOTR. I enjoy his deeply mellow voice, and his mild British accent. Rob Inglis adds an air of sophistication to any audiobook he reads.
FINAL WORD: Those who like wizards and dragons will no doubt enjoy “A Wizard of EarthSea”, but do yourself a favor; don’t try to make any comparisons until after you read the audiobook.
CHECK OUT THESE OTHER AUDIOBOOK REVIEWS:
The Tombs of Atuan by Ursula K LeGuin (Audiobook Review)
The Hobbit by J R R Tolkien (Audiobook Review)
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J K Rowling (Audiobook Review)
----------o----------
If you liked this audiobook review, you can purchase the audiobook here:
Get "A Wizard of Earthsea" (Audiobook CD set) from Amazon.com.
This audiobook review is based on the unabridged audiobook.
Audiobook review by Steven Brandt
Come back soon for more audiobook reviews from AudioBook Heaven.
No comments:
Post a Comment