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What I Just Finished Reading
Tales from Earthsea – Ursala K. LeGuin
I have a complicated relationship with Earthsea. I’ve liked each successive book more than its predecessors, a pattern that held true for this volume. LeGuin’s descriptive language is as beautiful as ever, but her antiseptic approach to her characters prevents me from identifying with or caring much about what happens to them. To me, the most intriguing part of Tales from Earthsea was watching LeGuin reconsider the standard genre (mis)treatment of female characters she adopted in the series’ early volumes. The collection’s short stories and novellas openly consider how Earthsea’s patriarchal norms serve very few and harm a great many, and it’s both painful and a bit cathartic, particularly in parts of “Dragonfly,” the final story. But at the end of the day, it’s telling that I enjoyed both LeGuin’s forward and her anthropological notes on Earthsea far more than any of the collection’s bona fide stories.
Beauty – Robin McKinley
Would that every fantasy novel—including others by McKinley—could be as good as this. I love the alchemy by which McKinley turns a short fairy tale into a gripping full length novel. I love how she retells the story without needing evil sisters, or stepmothers, or other stock villains. I love the beautiful language, with not a word misplaced. I love the pacing, the characterizations, the perfect balance of atmosphere, drama, and humor. I love that the heroine is a Latin geek and physically strong. I love the emphasis on family, and the power of communication and trust. It’s just so lovely in its execution, and one of my favorite novels of all time.
What I Am Currently Reading
Allow Me To Introduce – Lon Milo DuQuette
A cash cow, but at least I’ve been able to knock out half of it in a single setting.
The Midnight Queen – Sylvia Izzo Hunter
I’m currently about a third of the way through, and so far this novel is delivering on setting, premise, and language in ways I’d hoped that Sorceror to the Crown would.
Bread And Salt – Valerie Miner
I’m reading one of this collection’s 16 short stories a day, and so will have more to say about it in another week or so.
What I'm Reading Next
This week I picked up a copy of Marc Aronson & Susan Campbell Bartolet’s 1789.
これで以上です。
Tales from Earthsea – Ursala K. LeGuin
I have a complicated relationship with Earthsea. I’ve liked each successive book more than its predecessors, a pattern that held true for this volume. LeGuin’s descriptive language is as beautiful as ever, but her antiseptic approach to her characters prevents me from identifying with or caring much about what happens to them. To me, the most intriguing part of Tales from Earthsea was watching LeGuin reconsider the standard genre (mis)treatment of female characters she adopted in the series’ early volumes. The collection’s short stories and novellas openly consider how Earthsea’s patriarchal norms serve very few and harm a great many, and it’s both painful and a bit cathartic, particularly in parts of “Dragonfly,” the final story. But at the end of the day, it’s telling that I enjoyed both LeGuin’s forward and her anthropological notes on Earthsea far more than any of the collection’s bona fide stories.
Beauty – Robin McKinley
Would that every fantasy novel—including others by McKinley—could be as good as this. I love the alchemy by which McKinley turns a short fairy tale into a gripping full length novel. I love how she retells the story without needing evil sisters, or stepmothers, or other stock villains. I love the beautiful language, with not a word misplaced. I love the pacing, the characterizations, the perfect balance of atmosphere, drama, and humor. I love that the heroine is a Latin geek and physically strong. I love the emphasis on family, and the power of communication and trust. It’s just so lovely in its execution, and one of my favorite novels of all time.
What I Am Currently Reading
Allow Me To Introduce – Lon Milo DuQuette
A cash cow, but at least I’ve been able to knock out half of it in a single setting.
The Midnight Queen – Sylvia Izzo Hunter
I’m currently about a third of the way through, and so far this novel is delivering on setting, premise, and language in ways I’d hoped that Sorceror to the Crown would.
Bread And Salt – Valerie Miner
I’m reading one of this collection’s 16 short stories a day, and so will have more to say about it in another week or so.
What I'm Reading Next
This week I picked up a copy of Marc Aronson & Susan Campbell Bartolet’s 1789.
これで以上です。
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I definitely understand where you're coming from with this. I have similar reactions to many books. I also agree that the books get better as they go. I also remember really disliking Ged the first time I read the book, but coming around to him in later books.
How do you feel about Rose Daughter in comparison with Beauty? I actually love both of them lots.
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I like Rose Daughter as well, although not as much as Beauty, which is hands down my favorite of McKinley's.