different but good

very different approach than the first three books, this one focuses on character growth and more about the social structures of earth sea. I'm glad there is a book about the flaws of a fantastical land, as opposed to other epic fantasy books that don't adress how flawed the land is.
also very refreshing to see a character who for the previous three books was painted in a very pure light, exposed for also being very flawed and emotionally stunted.
a vital book for anyone looking for an elaboration of characters.

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very good story

loved it; the book is a fantastic sequel to the first three. not as "epic" in terms of might and magic, but equally as good as books two and three (the first one wasn't my favorite)

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1 person found this helpful

Good story

The story is good but the performance was mediocre, she has a clicking sound in her voice that is really annoying.

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Stick to the Original Trilogy

This book is extremely well-written. Ursula K. LeGuin is a legitimate wordsmith - not a single syllable is wasted in 'Tehanu', and her prose is unsurpassed. Descriptions are mind's-eye vivid, dialogue is powerful & philosophical, and characters are complex & fascinating.

That said, I have some problems with this book:
1.  Leguin went into the project with a fixed agenda:
As outlined in the Afterword of this audiobook, the author expressly returned to an essentially completed Fantasy series after twenty years to take down the 'Fantasy Patriarchy' paradigm. The book suffers for it. Elevating female characters is fine - and it's refreshing - but Leguin decides to politicize Earthsea by portraying the male Wizards (both Good and Evil) as misogynists.
2. The book abandons any semblance of "plot":
Instead, LeGuin focusses on the reintroduction of well-known characters Ged and Tenar (in magic-free scenarios) to develop them. Don't get me wrong.. it works. We get to know those characters much better - but nothing of any real importance happens and nothing is really resolved in 'Tehanu'.
3. The introduction of adult topics into a supposed children's series is fairly shocking:
The original Earthsea series was clearly aimed at an audience accustomed to J.R.R. Tolkien's singing dwarves and C.S. Lewis's talking animals. Discussing menstruation and intercourse is straight-up incongruous.

On the good side of the ledger, the world-building is top-notch. We get a close-up look at the more mundane aspects of the Archipelago (Farmers, Shepherds, Soldiers, Sailors, and travelling Merchants play large roles in this narrative). The Earthsea setting is enriched by this book.

I must admit I miss Rob Inglis's interpretation somewhat, but Jenny Sterlin does an impressive job reading this book. There is a noticeable throat-click due to poor sound editing, but Sterlin's voice-acting is unparalleled (a disfigured Therru sounds tortured, for example), and tone/timbre/cadence are noteworthy. Furthermore, her pacing is spot-on - driving a beautifully-written (but arguably ponderous) story relentlessly to it's conclusion. I would listen to Sterlin again any day.

Despite above-average narration, this is a moderately disappointing return to a beloved Fantasy world - a world populated with kings, dragons, witches and wizards - but intentionally steered away from those aspects. LeGuin instead focusses her book on feminist objectives, personality conflict, and the day-to-day lives of the "normal" denizens of the Earthsea Archipelago. You are justified in spending a Credit on this 4.5/10 book if you are enamored with the characters and setting (or plan on continuing the series), but you might be better served if you quit after book Three. I'm quitting here.

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