91. (August 2020) Tehanu by Ursula K. Leguin — The Tabletop Roleplayers' Book Club

4. Scope

Michael_S_Miller — Tue, 08 Sep 2020 03:00:58 +0000

Unlike the previous Earthsea books, Terhanu takes place on and around a single island, within a few dozen miles. The conflicts and challenges focus on everyday people (raising a wounded child, managing a farm, death and inheritance), not the affairs of kings and wizards. What did you think of this smaller scope? How does it compare with other works of fantasy?

1. Coming of Age

Michael_S_Miller — Tue, 08 Sep 2020 02:58:48 +0000

Like the previous Earthsea books, transitioning from one stage of life to another is an important theme here. While the previous three focused on the transition from adolescence to adulthood, this book deals with other transitions: Tenar from wifehood to widowhood to something else; Ged from a man of power to just a man; Therru from childhood to adolescence; Ogion from old age to death. What are your thoughts on these transitions?

5. Gaming

Michael_S_Miller — Tue, 08 Sep 2020 03:01:21 +0000

What aspects of this book could you bring to your gaming table?

2. Names

Michael_S_Miller — Tue, 08 Sep 2020 02:59:11 +0000

Earthsea’s magic is based on names. How does Le Guin use names, both as a source of power, and as a function of identity?

3. Womanhood

Michael_S_Miller — Tue, 08 Sep 2020 03:00:35 +0000

The options available to Tenar are shaped by her gender. What do you think about the book's handling of gender roles?