A Wizard of Earthsea
Preface

Preface

Introduction

Historical Context

About the Author

Other Works/Adaptations

Discussion Questions

Additional Resources

Credits

Teacher's Guide

Ursula K. Le Guin's A Wizard of Earthsea didn't start out as a classic—no book does—but this superb coming-of-age novel has gradually become one. Originally published as a young-adult fantasy novel in 1968, Le Guin's adventure proved so imaginatively compelling and psychologically profound that it has captivated readers of every age. I didn't discover it myself until I was in my early thirties. It so impressed me that I went on to read everything Le Guin had written as well as read the first three Earthsea novels aloud to both of my sons.

The Big Read is an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts designed to revitalize the role of literary reading in American popular culture. Reading at Risk: A Survey of Literary Reading in America, a 2004 NEA report, identified a critical decline in reading for pleasure among American adults. The Big Read aims to address this issue directly by providing citizens with the opportunity to read and discuss a single book within their communities.

A great book combines enlightenment with enchantment. It awakens our imagination and enlarges our humanity. It can even offer harrowing insights that somehow console and comfort us. Whether you're a regular reader already or a nonreader making up for lost time, thank you for joining The Big Read.

Dana Gioia
Chairman, National Endowment for the Arts