He is now an elderly man, no longer possessing the powers he once had. The most enjoyable parts of the book were, for me, the chapters involving Ged. There is, again, a certain darkness surrounding this book as the author does not shy away from subject matter that is not normally found within adult literature.

As I have said before, the themes that do come across strongly are death, how races view the afterlife differently and of the human streak of self destruction. I have read that Le Guin uses feminist and Taoist themes in her books but due to a lack of knowledge in both these areas I am unable to comment if this is true in The Other Wind. It is obvious that Le Guin is putting her own beliefs and thoughts across into the book but I'm glad to say that it never feels like you are preached to or having beliefs thrust upon you. Once again the story deals with death, love, freedom and the dangers of interference in the natural order of life. The Other Wind: Mending the Green Pitcher

She was reaching her hands out to me, and so I reached out to her, and we took each other's hands.' I had thought she might have the child with her, but she did not. I couldn't see her clear, and I went to see her, to be with her. I knew she was dead, I knew it in the dream, but I was glad to go. I heard her voice saying my name, and I went to her. Some readers may have been concerned that this was an unnecessary sequel that could detract from the originals but they need not have worried. It is evenly paced book that is strong on the characters with a deep, involving story. Thankfully, The Other Wind keeps up the high standard of story-telling that readers of the Earthsea books have come to expect. The dragons are also threatening Earthsea and Alder, his three new companions and a dragon woman named Irian journey to the Immanent Grove on Roke looking for answers. This puts Alder and Earthsea in mortal danger as the dead seek to free themselves through Alder and invade the land of the living.Īlder looks to Sparrowhawk, the former Archmage for advice and help and is sent to Havnor to seek the council of Tenar, Tahanu and King Lebannen. The sorcerer Alder dreams of his dead wife and is able to kiss her across the stone wall that separates our world from the land of the dead. This is not a fantasy book full of large battles and insurmountable odds but a book about people and how they live life, deal with grief and try to make the right choices when they are presented. Exploring themes such as fear of death and belief in reincarnation. This is another wonderful book from Ursula Le Guin.

The other wind