Voices - Softcover

Le Guin, Ursula K.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1842555618 ISBN 13: 9781842555613

Publisher: Gollancz, 2007

Synopsis

Memer is a child of rape; when the Alds took the beautiful city of Ansul, they descecrated or destroyed everything of beauty. The Waylord they imprisoned and tortured for years until finally he is freed to return to his home. Though crippled, he is not destroyed. His life still has purpose. Memer is the daughter of his House, the daughter of his heart.

The Alds, a people who love war, cannot and will not read: they believe that in words lie demons that will destroy the world. All the city's libraries, the great treasure trove of knowledge of ages past, are burned, except for those few volumes secreted inthe Waylord's hidden room.

But times are changing. Gry Barre of Roddmant and Orrec Caspro of Caspromant have arrived in the city. Orrec is a story-teller, the most famous of all: he has the gift of making. His wife Gry's gift is that of calling; she walks with a halflion who both frightens and fascinates the Alds.

This is Memer's story, and Gry's and Orrec's, and it is the story of a conquered people craving freedom.

About this title

Review:

'Le Guin's crystalline prose and her ability to dramatise political and spiritual issues of our time are unequalled... as an allegory about hor freedom can be snatched from political oppression, Voices is execellent.' (Amanda Craig THE TIMES)

she remains effortlessly at the top of her game...Voices, the second book in her Annals of the Western Shore Trilogy about a master poet and his animal-charming wife, is a marvellously thoughtful and intelligent piece of fiction... Le Guin's writing is spare and humane, her imagination forceful and dramatic. (Tim Martin Independent on Sunday)

'will not disappoint Le Guin's many fans. Nobody is better able to describe ancient secret places and the sense of mysterious power they convey.' (UNDERCOVER (HEYWOOD HILL BOOKSHOP)

'Lyrical, elegant and thoughtful... A fantasy that rattles with topical resonances. Le Guin's prose is as fine here as anything she has written in the past' (Susan Elkin SCHOOL LIBRARIAN)

'[The Earthsea Cycle] established her as a classic storyteller... Again Le Guin has created a complete world, places with their own cultures and traditions and memorable characters.... Some thought-provoking issues arise regarding war and peace, forgiveness and revenge and the value of the written and spoken word' (Audrey Baker INIS (Ireland))

'captivating sequel to Gifts, the second in the Annals of the Western Shore trilogy, a fantasy series that resonates prophetically with the state of many communities in today's war-torn globe.' (Elaine Williams TES)

'I liked this book - it was quite unusual so I found it hard to put down.' (Emika Currie, St Augustine's High TEEN TITLES)

'Le Guin uses her talent for description and language to portray a society where education is discouraged, books are feared and women ignored. Her tale celebrates the power of knowledge and of reading. The other two books in the series will be a must.' (WRITE AWAY)

Book Description:

Sequel to Le Guin's brilliant GIFTS, the second in her Annals of the Western Shore

About this edition

• Publisher: Gollancz
• Publication date: 2007
• ISBN 10: 1842555618
• ISBN 13: 9781842555613
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 384