About the Author

Ursula Le Guin was born in Berkley, California, in 1929, daughter of the writer Theodora Krober and the anthropologist Alfred Krober. Her published work includes twenty-one novels, eleven volumes of short stories, three collections of essays, twelve books for children, six volumes of poetry and four of translation. The Earthsea books have been translated into many languages around the world and are global bestsellers.

Reviews

Thrilling, wise and beautiful... Every word is perfect, like the spells Ged has to master
*Guardian*

One of literature's best-written fantasy worlds. I adored A Wizard of Earthsea, which I read and reread until my ratty old paperback copy required emergency surgery. Le Guin's words are magical. Drink this magic up. Drown in it. Dream it
*David Mitchell*

Genre cannot contain Ursula Le Guin: she is a genre in herself
*Zadie Smith*

One of the major works of fantasy in this century
*Observer*

A literary icon
*Stephen King*

One of the literary greats of the 20th century
*Margaret Atwood*

A colossus of literature, a trailblazer
*China Mieville*

Rowling can type, but Le Guin can write
*Guardian*

Composed sparely, shaped by narratives so basic they must be inscribed upon our cells, they read as if they were not written but found, dug out like jewels from rock
*Village Voice*

A writer of phenomenal power
*Observer*