Le Guin, Ursula K. Gifts.LE GUIN, Ursula K Le Guin, Ursula K(roeber) orig. Ursula Kroeber (born Oct. 21, 1929, Berkeley, Calif., U.S.) U.S. writer of science fiction and fantasy. The daughter of Alfred L. . Gifts. Harcourt. 286p. c2004. 0-15-205124-4. $795. JS * To quote the review of the hardcover in KLIATT, September 2004: In the Uplands, feuding families fight each other using their strange "gifts"--the ability to strike someone blind or deaf, to set a fire just by pointing to a spot, or to take a man's will from him and make him do your bidding. Young Orrec's family has a gift known as "the undoing," a means of killing with just a look, a gesture, and a word. At first, Orrec is not even sure that he has inherited this gift, but a dramatic episode convinces him, though it seems that his ability is not fully under his control. He becomes so afraid of his gift that he voluntarily wears a blindfold blindfold worn by personification of justice. [Art: Hall, 183] See : Justice at all times, so as not to injure anyone accidentally, and accepts the help of a guide dog. His good friend Gry has the gift of communicating with animals, but she refuses to use it to call them to the hunt to be killed. In refusing their gifts the teenagers find other strengths, and Orrec discovers that he has talent as a poet and storyteller, relating the tales his lovely mother told him before she wasted away, cursed by a crude, greedy neighbor who coveted cov·et v. cov·et·ed, cov·et·ing, cov·ets v.tr. 1. To feel blameworthy desire for (that which is another's). See Synonyms at envy. 2. To wish for longingly. See Synonyms at desire. her. After a terrible battle with this neighbor, in which Orrec's father loses his life, Orrec and Gry decide to move away from the Uplands and make a new life, using their positive gifts of storytelling Storytelling Aesop semi-legendary fabulist of ancient Greece. [Gk. Lit.: Harvey, 10] Münchäusen Baron traveler grossly embellishes his experiences. [Ger. Lit. and horse training. Le Guin Le Guin , Ursula Born 1929. American writer of science fiction. Her works include The Left Hand of Darkness (1979) and The Earthsea Trilogy (1968-1972), a series of fantasy books for children. is a wonderful writer, and this haunting, thought-provoking fantasy has the power of legend. Readers will ponder the nature of gifts and curses, and empathize em·pa·thize v. To feel empathy in relation to another person. with Orrec as he struggles to make his way in this strange, vaguely medieval world. Paula Rohrlick, KLIATT J--Recommended for junior high school students. The contents are of particular interest to young adolescents and their teachers. S--Recommended for senior high school students. *--The asterisk highlights exceptional books. |
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