A 100 word readuction of: The Tombs of Atuan written by Ursula K. Le Guin, narrated by Rob Inglis
“To be reborn one must die, Tenar. It is not so hard as it looks from the other side.”
― Ursula k. le guin, The tombs of atuan
Readuction:
Condemned unto darkness by the circumstances of her birth, Tenar becomes The Eaten One, Arha, and will serve those Nameless Ones that mankind fears most. A mundane existence of maintaining life’s basic necessities amid a sparse tawny desert, broken only by occasional rituals, sacrifices, and the labyrinth. Its secrets belong only to Arha. Memorizing instructions her previous reincarnation left behind, she navigates the ancient tunnels where light dare not shine. Until it does. The Wizard wielding it, unsmitten by the Nameless Ones, is at the mercy of their priestess. He reveals much to Arha, including Tenar, and choices previously unseen.
audiobook narrated by Rob Inglis (who also narrated the Lord of the Rings audiobook!)
Themes
personal growth, power, gender, faith
“The earth is beautiful and bright and kindly. But that is not all. The earth is also terrible and dark and cruel”
― Ursula k. le guin, The tombs of atuan
“Alone, no one wins freedom”
― Ursula k. le guin, The tombs of atuan
feels:
Because of the coming-of-age, growing into your power theme that so rightly dominates authors early novels, I wondered if The Tombs of Atuan was Le Guin’s first novel. Spoiler, it was not. It was proceeded by The Wizard of Earthsea (which I need to go back and find, but it wouldn’t be the first time I read a series out of order**).
It reminded me very much of Ariadne’s story* – raised in what is essentially captivity, resigned to her fate. Then, only her unique knowledge, strength, and compassion can rescue the intruder from the labyrinth. The Tombs contained no Minotaur, but the Nameless Ones hold dominion over our innate fear of the dark and what possibilities lurk within.
Le Guin’s tale is pure fantasy, steeped in rich nuance and undertones as deep as the Tombs themselves. It’s got reincarnation, and ancient magics ,and God Kings, and wizards! Tenar, eaten and sentenced to an eternal fate of darkness and loneliness. Seeing what was never meant to be seen; the world so illuminated. Upholding the rule, or breaking it. Simply, a girl growing up.
*I didn’t Readux it here, but Jennifer Saint writes an engaging feminist rendition of this classic myth in her first standalone novel, Ariadne.
**When I was a teenager my Dad bought me the third novel in Terry Brooks‘ Shannara series, The Wishsong of Shannara and then I read them in whatever order I could get them from the local library. So like, books 3,1, 6, 7, 2, 5 in that order. It’s ok, it was like a fun mystery.
exceptional excerpts:
Freedom was a heavy load, a great and strange burden for the spirit to undertake. It is not easy. It is not a gift given, but a choice made. And the choice may be a hard one.
― Ursula k. le guin, The tombs of atuan
“The road goes upward toward the light but the laden traveller may never reach the end of it”
― Ursula k. le guin, The tombs of atuan
“I’d like to see the sea,” said Penthe. “What for?” said Arha
― Ursula k. le guin, The tombs of atuan
“Do you know how to read?” “No, it is one of the black arts.” He nodded. “But a useful one.” he said.
I’m going out on a limb when I say I probably don’t need to tell you how to make ants on a log, but I’m going to anyway. If you’ve never tried it, maybe it’s time you branch out.
Are you considering creating a website of your very own? Is your website looking for a new place to call home?I can’t tell you decisively what is right for you. What I can do is share my personal experience with Bluehost and hope this will empower you to make the right decision for yourself.
It is no wonder the pygmy hippo Moo Deng bounced her way into our hearts as enthusiastically as she seems to do everything else. Once I realized Moo rhymes with ‘you’, Moo Deng’s version of Mariah Carey’s All I Want For Christmas Is You played in my head incessantly, non-stop until finally I expelled it. Through the power of song I’ve attempted to capture our heart’s desire through the magic of Mariah Carey.
This rainbow-spirited, unicorn-loving, sparkle-laden, vivacious, menopausal, tattooed, kindhearted, belly-dancing, wig-coifing, mural-painting, animal loving (human tolerating), warrior woman works tirelessly to bring a little more color to the world – and looks good doing it!
composed to commemorate cottage core, cherishing captivating clues Hoem Past boughs and brush, A shining lake. Drunken harbour, Thirst to slake. An offer bold, A...
