The Tombs of Atuan

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The second book in Ursula Le Guin’s Earthsea trilogy, The Tombs of Atuan further builds the world of Earthsea, taking us on a whole new adventure in a whole different environment. Deserts, monasteries, and mazes colour the pages of this book and from page one it’s engaging and compelling.

From the age of six Arha has been raised to be the Priestess of the Tombs and servant of the Nameless Ones. For years she has performed her duties, and served her masters with unwavering faith. But when a strange wizard comes to raid the tombs for the lost ring of Erreth-Akbe, everything Arha has grown to believe and live by gets thrown into question. Fascinated by the stranger and unwilling to kill him and offer his blood to the Nameless Ones, she keeps him imprisoned in the Tombs until it becomes clear that she has two choices: die for her own blasphemy or free Ged and leave Atuan with him.

I think I mentioned in A Wizard of Earthsea that these are compelling reads despite the fact that not a lot actually happens. I was discussing this with my partner and he asked what exactly I meant by that. After sitting down and really thinking about it I have come to the conclusion that what I’m really referring to is the overall tone of the reading experience. What sets aside Le Guin from other fantasy writers whose works I’ve read is that she writes with a certain amount of nonchalance. What I mean when I say that is that she doesn’t devote entire chapters to singular events in detail like J. K. Rowling and she also reserves a lot of character emotion; meaning that the readers don’t always get to know characters as intimately as, say Tolkein’s or Pullman’s. This creates a distance and, for met at least, doesn’t really immerse you in the world of the book; it’s more like you’re watching what’s going on from over the top of a fence. The desired voyeurism of the reading experience is definitely there, but there’s not as strong of a connection to the characters or immersion in the world and so a little of the drama of the events gets diluted and it feels like nothing much is happening.

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This is also the feeling a little in The Tombs of Atuan, however I found the second book much more immersive than the first as Le Guin does indulge in some character intimacy as we read all about Arha as she grows up and becomes Priestess. This book is also a very interesting look at the dictations and foundations of religion and how minds can (and are allowed to) change. Take aside the labyrinth, the wizard, and the assassination attempts and what you have is a story about a girl who was raised believing one thing and discovers that there are other doctrines to live by. It’s dramatic, and exciting, but it’s also relevant and an interesting little hint of social commentary (as most great fantasy is).

The Tombs of Atuan is the second book in Ursula Le Guin’s Earthsea trilogy, written in 1971 and first published in its entirety by Victor Gollancz in 1972. A shorter version of the tale appeared in the magazine Worlds of Fantasy, Winter 1970-71, published by UPD Publishing Corporation.