Listen free for 30 days

  • A Wizard of Earthsea

  • The Earthsea Cycle, Book 1
  • Written by: Ursula K. Le Guin
  • Narrated by: Rob Inglis
  • Length: 7 hrs and 17 mins
  • 4.3 out of 5 stars (252 ratings)

Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo + applicable taxes after 30 days. Cancel anytime.
A Wizard of Earthsea cover art

A Wizard of Earthsea

Written by: Ursula K. Le Guin
Narrated by: Rob Inglis
Try for $0.00

$14.95 a month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy Now for $26.30

Buy Now for $26.30

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Tax where applicable.

Publisher's Summary

"The shapeless mass of darkness split apart. It sundered, and a pale spindle of light gleamed between his open arms. In the oval of light there moved a human shape: a tall woman...beautiful, and sorrowful, and full of fear." - from A Wizard of Earthsea, first in a tetralogy that includes The Tombs of Atuan and The Farthest Shore, introduces the listener to Ged, the greatest sorcerer in all Earthsea, known also as Sparrowhawk. When Sparrowhawk casts a spell that saves his village from destruction at the hands of the invading Kargs, Ogion, the Mage of Re Albi, encourages the boy to apprentice himself in the art of wizardry. So, at the age of 13, the boy receives his true name - Ged - and gives himself over to the gentle tutelage of the Master Ogion. But impatient with the slowness of his studies and infatuated with glory, Ged embarks for the Island of Roke, where the highest arts of wizardry are taught. There, Ged's natural talents enable him to surpass his classmates in little time. But when his vanity prompts him to summon Elfarran, the fair lady of the Deed of Enlad, he unleashes a shapeless mass of darkness - the shadow.

©1968 Ursula K. Le Guin (P)1992 Recorded Books, LLC

What listeners say about A Wizard of Earthsea

Average Customer Ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    139
  • 4 Stars
    69
  • 3 Stars
    28
  • 2 Stars
    9
  • 1 Stars
    7
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    119
  • 4 Stars
    54
  • 3 Stars
    29
  • 2 Stars
    1
  • 1 Stars
    4
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    119
  • 4 Stars
    46
  • 3 Stars
    28
  • 2 Stars
    7
  • 1 Stars
    5

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

Wish there had been more

I was so relieved when I got to the end. There was so nothing here. World development was good, but oh I never really knew any of the people. The narrator even seemed bored with it. Glad it was short.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great story cycle - Earthsea: First book.

This is a wonderful tale of magic and a young man's coming to age and into his power.
It was very good narration, for which I only subtracted a star as our hero Sparrowhawk's voice sometumes seemed much older than his young years.
If you love this series, read or listen right through to the fifth book, The Other Wind. The sixth book, Tales of Earthsea, are stories which tell elements of the backstory. Happy days in Earthsea!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Wow!

This books was so interesting, this world of Earthsea. The young wizard getting himself into trouble by uttering a spell he should not have been. For prides sake. The shadow was simply terrifying! Especially when it first emerged.

Not overly long but still quite interesting for a book written in the 60’s. My only regret as I took this in as an audio book was not seeing a map. Because the wizard did a ton of travelling and was always describing what country he was in or what isle were in which direction.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

A great story very well written

This is a very entertaining story that is superbly written and superbly narrated. I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it.
However this is clearly a children’s book, that skips along without too much depth or complexity, which is why it’s quite short. It’s been a very long while since I was a child, but I still enjoyed it.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Beat fantasy writer

The most elegant stirring writer who ever lived. Ursula k Leguin has no equal. A beautiful story

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
  • K
  • 2022-10-13

The Great Fantasy Begins!

Absolutely love this book! it is pure fantasy, distilled and purified. I could barely put it down, and never had any issue with losing concentration and zoning out. Every word feels so purposeful.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

lovely book

read the book when I was a teenager after the Harry Potter series started, this story is so well done and refreshing, it was worth the listen and I truly appreciate the authors talents, excellent narrator

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

i kept falling asleep

I was actually really excited to listen to this book. the summary and reviews really sold me on the story.

then the narrator began. and it's not his fault. but his voice is so soothing. I could not stay awake!

I tried three separate times to listen to this, but I couldn't make it.

I gave the book 5 stars because this is most likely just me. I'm sure the book is wonderful, and the story is wonderful. it's honestly just the narrator. his voicing isn't even boring or anything. I literally just end up feeling so calm and falling asleep haha

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Decent, though I had trouble knowing who was who!

I enjoyed this book well enough, hearing it for the first time here. I did have trouble keeping track of the characters even though I was paying close attention and often replayed the parts I didn't follow well as I went to really take in the whole story. Other then "Ged" I can't remember a single other character's name and I just finished the book not two minutes ago. The character names were utterly forgettable, which is unfortunate, as were the names of all the islands and towns.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Outstanding Fantasy

This novel reminds me of Patrick Rothfuss' "The Kingkiller Chronicles'" - a lot - but it's clearly aimed at a younger audience (the writing is just a little too immature). The book follows the progression and training of a legendary Wizard from his discovery of sorcerous powers as an impetuous boy to his eventual revelation as a wise conqueror of Dragons and Evil Spirits.
LeGuin's Ged - Sparrowhawk - is an eminently human character.. complete with insecurities and personal faults. He is a hero, but one that is relatable. The author's descriptions are vivid and the events are captivating and filled with adventure. LeGuin pens a thought-provoking morality tale confronting impatience and hubris.. while simultaneously providing an entertaining chronicle and introducing a fascinating Fantasy setting (Earthsea).

Rob Inglis is a very good narrator (clear, excellent diction, admirable tone), but his slow style of reading reminds me that this is a children's story. It is perhaps appropriate to the intended audience.. very much like reading a comfortable bedtime story.. but somewhat annoying for an Adult. I sped it up to 1.15X and the result was excellent.

I bought this as a Daily Deal, but will likely continue this charming tetralogy. Although it's ideally meant for kids aged 10-14 or so, this recording merits 8.5 out of 10 stars even to an adult reader, and promises good things to come.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!