Rating:  -
I picked up "A Wizard of Earthsea" in the library last week and before I knew it, I was sitting down to read "Tehanu." I wasn't quite sure what to expect -- I knew that Ged was gradually getting older, and that there was a new king in Havnor, and I was hoping to see some old familiar faces like Ogion and Tenar reappear. And so I did find them -- but not in the way I expected. Based on my reading of the other three books, I was expecting a high fantasy, magic-filled adventure. Instead I was treated to a boldly feminist, sometimes confusing story about a middle-aged widow, a broken man, and an abused child.
At first I thought that Le Guin had made a mistake somehow, had gone off track with the story. Certainly there were weak moments in the novel -- confusing passages, tricky and long-winded dialogue, deeply philosophical and even political opinions embedded in the story. At times the tale was almost too painful to read. And yet, in the end, I realized that I reacted to "Tehanu" just like I did to all of the other Earthsea books: I loved it.
I realize that opinions are divided on this book, and honestly, when I sat down to write this review I was prepared to say that it was terrible -- in comparison to the rest of the Cycle. But on its own, it is a beautifully written book, powerful and moving. It tells the story from an older, more adult perspective -- perhaps the result of a decades-older Le Guin? -- and raises important and thought-provoking questions, a feature about the Earthsea books that makes me like them immensely. My only issue with the novel was that I felt it ended much too abruptly. Just as I began to discover who Therru/Tehanu really was, and just as I began to realize the implications of Kalessin's presence in the story, the novel ended. I wanted to know more!
So what is my conclusion? This is a very strong book, on its own. I do feel that it is the weakest of the Earthsea books, but then again, it is hardly in the same genre as the other three. It is powerfully and beautifully written, and raises some excellent points about relationships and power. It made me want to read more, which is a good thing. I'm giving it three stars for several reasons -- although I enjoyed reading it, I found it difficult to read because of its rather confusing complexity, and I was slightly disappointed that it was not like its predecessors.
Rating:  -
Although most may disagree, I find this to be the most enjoyable of the first four books. I felt the characters and locations to be more developed and the story to be more engaging. In the first and third books I felt that there was a lot of rushing around and never any establishment of time and place. For pure fantasy this may not be the book for you but if you enjoyed the first three books you should read this. The characters we get to know now have to adjust to new lives where past glory days are gone. It's a sort of coming of age book later in life. I'm only 30 but can relate to having to make major adjustments based on life decisions.
Rating: -
I heartily and respectfully disagree with those who think that Tehanu is a longwinded and boring piece of sentimental crap. From my reading of the first three books, Ged always had complex feelings and fears that were evident to the reader. I don't see how Tehanu is very different, except that Tenar's complexities are thrown into the mix. It is true that Tehanu is a more emotional book than the other three, and maybe that's what makes it repellent. Perhaps it's just that older women out of their prime, stinky old witches, and quiet old men are not very appealing characters for a fantasy story. But this novel weaves together the fantasy of Therru's transformation and the reality of fear, pain, and disappointment. The events that made the strongest impressions on me were:
1. Ged's recovery from his loss of power.
Sooner or later, everyone loses something that means everything to them. In Ged's case, he realizes that he was a person before his wizardry, and his power does not define him as a human being. He finally understands that he was Sparrowhawk all along, and must pick up his life where he left off at 15. Tenar must also face the same predicament; she must return to being Tenar instead of Goha, a farmer's wife. This theme really had an impact on me, and probably will on other hypersensitive people.
2. Tenar's fear for herself and Therru.
This books is not merely a 200 page diatribe on the evils of men and child abuse, but a perceptive look at the effects of abuse and the anger that women sometimes feel. I live alone in a cabin, which is a risky situation for young women. I have been "stalked" before and I share Tenar's anger at men who think that they can make me fear them. My favorite moment is when Tenar stands at the open door brandishing her knife, because in all her futility, she is not afraid of these men. I always thought guys were lucky because they don't have to worry about getting raped or abused, and maybe this novel will give them insight into the helplessness that some females feel.
3. Therru's transformation and her interest in Aunty Moss.
Therru, for all her seeming weakness, turned out to be the strongest character. She begins as a beaten, disfigured child; in the end she is still disfigured and shunned by most people, but she has an inner strength that allows her to save Ged and Tenar and overcome evildoers. I find it enchanting that someone so berated and rejected has an inner power so strong. Aunty Moss is another character that teaches an important lesson. Just because someone is unhygienic/disgusting/toothless does not mean they are not kind people. Everyone deserves respect, not just pretty people.
Some people who read this will still think that Tehanu a crazed feminist rant on abuse and evil men. Hopefully they can look beyond their perceptions and try to find the deeper and more universal themes in the novel. I think the book is a beautiful piece of introspective writing that I will reread again and again.
Rating:  -
After reading Tehanu I can't help but feel somewhat exploited. I read the Earthsea books as a child and was excited to hear that more books had been added. However, Tehanu seems to be a weak platform for the random and bitter musings of the author. I expected an Earthsea book and found something totally different.
The potential of Tenar in "Tombs of Atuan" was never realized. Rather than creating a strong female character, Le Guin resorted to weakening and emasculating the men around Tenar. As my mother used to say, "Anyone is smart when compared to an earthworm."
In many ways this is almost an Anti-feminist book. Not only is Tenar rescued by men several times, but Auntie Moss, one of the few characters with "women's magic," is incredibly unhygienic with a bad reputation. Am I, as a female, supposed to find this desirable?
This book also contains some very vague and inconclusive references to sex and the acquisition of power. As a warning to parents who would like to share this book with their children, this book does contain the complementary sex-scene that most recently written novels deem necessary to have.
Had this book taken place anywhere else and with any other characters I would have enjoyed it far more. As it is, it seems to be a book written with less confidence of it's own worth and therefore floated on the reputation of Earthsea.
Rating:  -
Dull, dull, dull. One of the two most disappointing books I've ever read. I read the first three books many years ago and have re-read them many times since then. All three are quite brief, but only because there is not a single unnecessary word in any of them. Unfortunately, Ursula LeGuin has decided to sacrifice every other virtue of her writing in favor of a polemical rant. Is it supposed to be "empowering" for women to be a book where nothing of importance happens? And the villain, who scarcely rates mention, seems motivated by little else than a mean streak of misogyny. If you enjoyed the earlier volumes as much as I did, save yourself the disappointment of reading this book.
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