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Evan's Reviews > A Wizard of Earthsea
A Wizard of Earthsea (Earthsea Cycle, #1)
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One of the first aphorisms of a creative writing class is "Show, not tell." Not that I don't believe in turning aphorisms on their heads, but this one is there for a reason. Le Guin, for the greater part of the book, just tells. It makes for a painful reading experience. Children's literature in the 21st century is not limited in its range of boy in fantasy realm turns amazing magic user, and so the dull setting, plotting and characterization of "A Wizard of Earthsea" is best left unread. In 1967 when this was published, the environment was less diverse, and so the novel probably has some historical significance, but the painfulness of its prose is not worth its possible insights.
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A Wizard of Earthsea.
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Reading Progress
Started Reading
June 1, 2007
–
Finished Reading
July 2, 2007
– Shelved
March 2, 2016
– Shelved as:
left-unfinished
Comments Showing 1-8 of 8 (8 new)
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Jonathan
(last edited Aug 25, 2016 12:13PM)
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rated it 5 stars
Aug 29, 2007 03:53PM
Creative writing class is an oxymoron.
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I don't mean to be disrespectful, but you may want to take the class again. Ursula K. Le Guin literally wrote the book that many collegiate-level creative writing classes use in their curriculum (Steering the Craft). People with painful prose don't generally get consideration for the Pulitzer Prize or win (in most cases multiple) Locus, Nebula, Hugo, World Fantasy, or National Book awards.
I've read two pages of this book so far, and as far as I can tell, I agree. Those two pages, front and back, have had no dialogue at all and only tell. Honestly, I am not overly enthusiastic about finishing what I've just begun after how boring the beginning has been. And, look, it's not like I don't appreciate "literary" literature. I've read Pride and Prejudice twice. I just don't find this book to be entertaining so far in my experience, and since the beginning is usually a good indicator of things to come, I'm just not sure how the rest of it will be.
Personally, I think dialogue is fairly overrated. It nice to have people going back and forth but I think the real "meat" of book is when the characters shut up. For that reason, and many more, I urge you to complete the book. I think you will be pleasantly surprised.
I'm just starting chapter 3 and this is my main gripe so far. I'll keep going but unless it vastly improves I don't know if I'll enjoy it.
Hmm, given that the entire book is allegory, I can see why you might not like it. But if it were me, I'd think twice before giving a one star rating to one of the most lauded series ever. My first assumption would be that I missed something. Also, isn't 1 star saved for absolute dreck? I'm talking borderline illiterate, ignorant, offensive, obtuse, whatever. Many consider the allegory in this book to be glorious. It seems that you missed that entirely.
I completely agree. It was annoying to hear the author go on and on and on, basically giving the reader enormous amounts of information about the world instead of letting us discover bits and pieces through dialogue or action.
YES. It was painful for me to read through.
