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Like A WIZARD OF EARTHSEA and THE TOMBS OF ATUAN, the third book of the Earthsea
tetralogy examines the delicate balance between life and death. With the exception of
TEHANU, Ged's most important quests involve facing and usually embracing the hidden realms
of the dead and undead. From the moment Ged unleashes an undead spirit into the world to
his fateful journey into the Dry Land, he is forced to truly understand the nature of evil
and how it develops in men --- feeding on fear, pride, lust and greed.
In THE FARTHEST SHORE, Arren, a young prince of Enlad and the Enlades, approaches Ged, now
the Archmage of Earthsea. Arren's father is also a wizard and fears that some evil is at
work in the West Reach: "Spells have no power and wizardry is forgotten there."
Convinced that all of Earthsea is in danger, Ged leaves his post as Archmage and goes on a
dangerous quest with Arren to the end of the world. The novel is populated with a number
of twisted characters, some of whom die extremely violent deaths. Their fear of dying is
so profound that they seek to open the door between the lands of the living and the dead
and achieve immortality. Of course, on Earthsea, the realm of the dead is hidden, but it
is accessible to Ged.
Le Guin's characters are always complicated, and Ged demonstrates that his power,
influence and wisdom can't protect him from envy. The Archmage doesn't want anyone to
become immortal because it would threaten him. He would rather die then let them achieve
their goal:
"The Archmage knew that they and others like them were seeking eternal life, had been
promised it or drawn toward it, and might find it. In his pride as Archmage, he feared
lest they might gain it; he envied them, and feared them, and would have no man greater
than himself."
To preserve the balance between light and dark, Ged and Arren receive some much-needed
assistance from the elusive dragons of Earthsea. To save Ged's life, the dragon Kalessin
flies him to Roke where the final book of the series, TEHANU, begins.
--- Reviewed by Allie Cahill
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