- Find all the latest books, toys, games and DVDs from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in our Harry Potter store.
Voices (Annals of the Western Shore)
and over one million other books are available for Amazon Kindle .
Learn more
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Did you know you can trade in your old books for an Amazon.co.uk Gift Card to spend on the things you want? Plus, get an extra £5 Gift Certificate when you trade in books worth £10 or more before June 30, 2012. Visit the Books Trade-In Store for more details. |
Special Offers and Product Promotions
Frequently Bought Together
Product details
|
More About the Author
Product Description
Review
'Le Guin's crystalline prose and her ability to dramatise political and spiritual issues of our time are unequalled... as an allegory about hor freedom can be snatched from political oppression, Voices is execellent.' (Amanda Craig THE TIMES )
'she remains effortlessly at the top of her game...Voices, the second book in her Annals of the Western Shore Trilogy about a master poet and his animal-charming wife, is a marvellously thoughtful and intelligent piece of fiction... Le Guin's writing is spare and humane, her imagination forceful and dramatic.' (Tim Martin Independent on Sunday )
'will not disappoint Le Guin's many fans. Nobody is better able to describe ancient secret places and the sense of mysterious power they convey.' (UNDERCOVER (HEYWOOD HILL BOOKSHOP )
'Lyrical, elegant and thoughtful... A fantasy that rattles with topical resonances. Le Guin's prose is as fine here as anything she has written in the past' (Susan Elkin SCHOOL LIBRARIAN )
'[The Earthsea Cycle] established her as a classic storyteller... Again Le Guin has created a complete world, places with their own cultures and traditions and memorable characters.... Some thought-provoking issues arise regarding war and peace, forgiveness and revenge and the value of the written and spoken word' (Audrey Baker INIS (Ireland) )
'captivating sequel to Gifts, the second in the Annals of the Western Shore trilogy, a fantasy series that resonates prophetically with the state of many communities in today's war-torn globe.' (Elaine Williams TES )
'I liked this book - it was quite unusual so I found it hard to put down.' (Emika Currie, St Augustine's High TEEN TITLES )
'Le Guin uses her talent for description and language to portray a society where education is discouraged, books are feared and women ignored. Her tale celebrates the power of knowledge and of reading. The other two books in the series will be a must.' (WRITE AWAY ) --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
'she remains effortlessly at the top of her game...Voices, the second book in her Annals of the Western Shore Trilogy about a master poet and his animal-charming wife, is a marvellously thoughtful and intelligent piece of fiction... Le Guin's writing is spare and humane, her imagination forceful and dramatic.' (Tim Martin Independent on Sunday )
'will not disappoint Le Guin's many fans. Nobody is better able to describe ancient secret places and the sense of mysterious power they convey.' (UNDERCOVER (HEYWOOD HILL BOOKSHOP )
'Lyrical, elegant and thoughtful... A fantasy that rattles with topical resonances. Le Guin's prose is as fine here as anything she has written in the past' (Susan Elkin SCHOOL LIBRARIAN )
'[The Earthsea Cycle] established her as a classic storyteller... Again Le Guin has created a complete world, places with their own cultures and traditions and memorable characters.... Some thought-provoking issues arise regarding war and peace, forgiveness and revenge and the value of the written and spoken word' (Audrey Baker INIS (Ireland) )
'captivating sequel to Gifts, the second in the Annals of the Western Shore trilogy, a fantasy series that resonates prophetically with the state of many communities in today's war-torn globe.' (Elaine Williams TES )
'I liked this book - it was quite unusual so I found it hard to put down.' (Emika Currie, St Augustine's High TEEN TITLES )
'Le Guin uses her talent for description and language to portray a society where education is discouraged, books are feared and women ignored. Her tale celebrates the power of knowledge and of reading. The other two books in the series will be a must.' (WRITE AWAY ) --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Amanda Craig, THE TIMES
'Le Guin's crystalline prose and her ability to dramatise political and spiritual issues of our time are unequalled... as an allegory about hor freedom can be snatched from political oppression, Voices is execellent.'
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Inside This Book
(Learn More)
Tags Customers Associate with This Product(What's this?)Click on a tag to find related items, discussions, and people.
|
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
17 of 17 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
A companion novel to Le Guin's GIFTS, VOICES looks in on the life of a teen growing up in a city controlled by an enemy people. Memer has never known a life when hostile soldiers didn't patrol the streets and the possession of a book was not a crime punishable by death. The invading army believes that written words are evil, and that the city of Ansul is full of demons. But Memer knows that the Waylord, the man who raised her after her mother's death, has a hidden library in his house. There, he teaches her to read, and then, to use her understanding to help the city face its greatest crisis.
For a novel that has a lot to do with story-telling and reading, VOICES has more action and excitement than readers might expect. The arrival of Orrec, a great storyteller (and the narrator of GIFTS), rekindles the courage of Ansul's people, and they attempt to rebel against their oppressors. Memer finds herself caught in the middle, torn between her loyalty to the Waylord, who wishes to find a peaceful solution, and her hatred for the soldiers who destroyed so many things that she treasured. With many twists and turns along the way, VOICES delivers a conclusion that is both satisfying and unpredictable.
Perhaps the strongest element of the novel, however, is the way it moves from black and white to shades of gray. Orrec believes that all people have some good in them, and as Memer is forced to get to know the invaders she despises, she realizes that they are not all terrible and cruel. Some of them are simply different, and unable to understand her way of life. The message seems to be that it is far better to reach an understanding with others, even if you dislike them, than to take revenge. In a time when cultural and religious clashes make news almost every day, this should hit home with many readers.
VOICES is not a perfect book. It slows down a little more than I'd have liked before reaching its conclusion, and Memer was not as active in those events as I expect from a main character. But those flaws are minor compared to everything else about the novel: the distinctive setting and culture, the vivid language and personalities, and a voice that suggests, softly, without preaching, that there is more than one way to win a war.
Reviewed by: Lynn Crow
For a novel that has a lot to do with story-telling and reading, VOICES has more action and excitement than readers might expect. The arrival of Orrec, a great storyteller (and the narrator of GIFTS), rekindles the courage of Ansul's people, and they attempt to rebel against their oppressors. Memer finds herself caught in the middle, torn between her loyalty to the Waylord, who wishes to find a peaceful solution, and her hatred for the soldiers who destroyed so many things that she treasured. With many twists and turns along the way, VOICES delivers a conclusion that is both satisfying and unpredictable.
Perhaps the strongest element of the novel, however, is the way it moves from black and white to shades of gray. Orrec believes that all people have some good in them, and as Memer is forced to get to know the invaders she despises, she realizes that they are not all terrible and cruel. Some of them are simply different, and unable to understand her way of life. The message seems to be that it is far better to reach an understanding with others, even if you dislike them, than to take revenge. In a time when cultural and religious clashes make news almost every day, this should hit home with many readers.
VOICES is not a perfect book. It slows down a little more than I'd have liked before reaching its conclusion, and Memer was not as active in those events as I expect from a main character. But those flaws are minor compared to everything else about the novel: the distinctive setting and culture, the vivid language and personalities, and a voice that suggests, softly, without preaching, that there is more than one way to win a war.
Reviewed by: Lynn Crow
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I read and deeply enjoyed Gifts - the first in a new cycle of novels by master Fantasy author LeGuin. Voices is its superb successor. Voices has deep concerns that are hugely relevant to, for instance, the current crisis in the Middle East. Her focus is often on the way people perceive 'the other' - the casual racism of societies of all sort and the hideous damage this wreaks upon ordinary lives. All of this could, of course, be deeply dispiriting, but LeGuin has a myth-maker's pen. Throughout all of her books she weaves a deep and powerful magic, compelling plots and a vivid power of description all delivered through sparse but highly effective prose. Interestingly some critics dislike her prose style (and her politics!) but I think she is a superb stylist - not a word wasted or misused... ever. I think this is best as a read for teens and adults - it's not really right for the 8-12 year old category, and is more akin to her final books from the Earthsea cycle, such as The Other Wind and Tehanu.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This book is a return to the Western Shores, the setting of Gifts. While the main characters from Gifts make an important appearance, this is an independent story. Starting with Gifts is a good introduction to the world, however.
Voices is the story of Ansul, a city under the rule of oppressive enemies and Memer, a halfblood child born under the enemy rule. The Alds are cruel masters, who despise reading and books - not a good thing for the people of Ansul, known for their wisdom and their books. Memer learns dangerous secrets, when the arrival of storyteller Orrec Caspro sets big wheels in motion.
Le Guin portrays both the people of Ansul and the Alds rather well. The Alds are more than illiterate idiots. It's a very beautiful and touching story and I enjoyed it a lot. Voices may be written for young adults, but it won't disappoint an older reader either. Le Guin is a master of her trade.
Voices is the story of Ansul, a city under the rule of oppressive enemies and Memer, a halfblood child born under the enemy rule. The Alds are cruel masters, who despise reading and books - not a good thing for the people of Ansul, known for their wisdom and their books. Memer learns dangerous secrets, when the arrival of storyteller Orrec Caspro sets big wheels in motion.
Le Guin portrays both the people of Ansul and the Alds rather well. The Alds are more than illiterate idiots. It's a very beautiful and touching story and I enjoyed it a lot. Voices may be written for young adults, but it won't disappoint an older reader either. Le Guin is a master of her trade.
Would you like to see more reviews about this item?
Were these reviews helpful?
Let us know
Most Recent Customer Reviews
the master storyteller
Following on from Gifts, Voices begins in a land far from that of the first book and with different characters at first, but as the tale unfolds we are reintroduced to a couple of... Read more
Published 23 months ago by Lloyd Ash Pyne
Wonderful!
I've read all three books in this latest series by Ursula Le Guin. And as usual, they are wonderful in a beautifully written, well plotted, understated way. Read more
Published on 18 April 2010 by N. Kavanagh
Atuan revisited
Firstly, this is a great book, in and of itself - elegant, simple writing, good storytelling, real issues. Read more
Published on 1 Dec 2006 by luciente
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
Listmania!
|
|
Look for similar items by category
Look for similar items by subject
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
- I am the Author, and I want to comment on my book.
- I am the Publisher, and I want to comment on this book.
|
