The Farthest Shore (The Earthsea Cycle, Book 3) (Paperback)

Ged, now the Archmage: the greatest wizard of all Earthsea; "the man who had capped the Black Well of Fundaur and won the ring of Erreth-Akbe from the Tombs of Atuan and built the deep founded sea wall of Nepp; the sailor who knew the seas from Astowell to Selidor; the only living Dragonlord," confers urgently with the other Masters. They know the Balance has been disrupted. Whatever balance remains, now resides in Roke when it should lie in the hands of a king. Eighteen years before, the Ring of the King's Rune was returned to its rightful place. This deed improved the world for a while, but it did not bring oneness. There has been no king on the high throne in Havnor for 800 years. Now a king must sit on the throne of Earthsea again, to wield the Sign of Peace and unite the lands and peoples. However, a prophecy must be fulfilled first: "He shall inherit my throne who has crossed the dark land living and come to the far shores of the day." Ged insists on taking action before any more discussion takes place about kings and future. He would go where the trouble is now, immediately, to find the source of the blight. He must find and close the hole in the world that is leeching out the light. Ged will take one companion with him, Arren.

As the two sail south and then west, they discover decay, decline, darkness, forgetfulness. Many people they encounter take drugs to numb, and to let the body be free of the mind. Others seem to have their minds' dimmed without using substances. Clearly, magic and meaning have been drained from the ports, towns, cities and countrysides of Earthsea, as has all sense of well-being and vigor from her people. The dead are mysteriously crossing over under the influence of a vile mysterious creature. Even Orm Embar, the powerful Dragon of Selidor, seeks help from Ged and Arren to rid the world of this insanity.

"The Farthest Shore," the final novel in the initial trilogy, is my favorite. Ged's and Arren's commitment to prevent their world from falling apart, is inspiring and often extremely moving. There is a theme of human development here, a sense of passing on the torch which reminds me of T. H. White's "Once and Future King," with Ged as Merlin, the mentor and tutor, guiding the young king toward his future. Arren is ascending to his power, moving towards his prime, while Ged makes the transition to old age, leaving behind his legacy. Both books focus on peace, unity and harmony.

Ms Le Guin examines the delicate balance between life and death. She focuses on the importance of death and how its inevitability makes life more meaningful. As with the first two books in the trilogy, her approach is influenced by eastern philosophy. The eternal cycle of life, death, the return of the body to the earth, and one's energy to the universe, is part of the natural world which maintains the equilibrium of our planet.

As always, the author's prose is exquisite.

Ged, now the Archmage: the greatest wizard of all Earthsea; "the man who had capped the Black Well of Fundaur and won the ring of Erreth-Akbe from the Tombs of Atuan and built the deep founded sea wall of Nepp; the sailor who knew the seas from Astowell to Selidor; the only living Dragonlord," confers urgently with the other Masters. They know the Balance has been disrupted. Whatever balance remains, now resides in Roke when it should lie in the hands of a king. Eighteen years before, the Ring of the King's Rune was returned to its rightful place. This deed improved the world for a while, but it did not bring oneness. There has been no king on the high throne in Havnor for 800 years. Now a king must sit on the throne of Earthsea again, to wield the Sign of Peace and unite the lands and peoples. However, a prophecy must be fulfilled first: "He shall inherit my throne who has crossed the dark land living and come to the far shores of the day." Ged insists on taking action before any more discussion takes place about kings and future. He would go where the trouble is now, immediately, to find the source of the blight. He must find and close the hole in the world that is leeching out the light. Ged will take one companion with him, Arren.

As the two sail south and then west, they discover decay, decline, darkness, forgetfulness. Many people they encounter take drugs to numb, and to let the body be free of the mind. Others seem to have their minds' dimmed without using substances. Clearly, magic and meaning have been drained from the ports, towns, cities and countrysides of Earthsea, as has all sense of well-being and vigor from her people. The dead are mysteriously crossing over under the influence of a vile mysterious creature. Even Orm Embar, the powerful Dragon of Selidor, seeks help from Ged and Arren to rid the world of this insanity.

"The Farthest Shore," the final novel in the initial trilogy, is my favorite. Ged's and Arren's commitment to prevent their world from falling apart, is inspiring and often extremely moving. There is a theme of human development here, a sense of passing on the torch which reminds me of T. H. White's "Once and Future King," with Ged as Merlin, the mentor and tutor, guiding the young king toward his future. Arren is ascending to his power, moving towards his prime, while Ged makes the transition to old age, leaving behind his legacy. Both books focus on peace, unity and harmony.

Ms Le Guin examines the delicate balance between life and death. She focuses on the importance of death and how its inevitability makes life more meaningful. As with the first two books in the trilogy, her approach is influenced by eastern philosophy. The eternal cycle of life, death, the return of the body to the earth, and one's energy to the universe, is part of the natural world which maintains the equilibrium of our planet.

As always, the author's prose is exquisite.
JANA