It's Dragon Week! (well it tried to be) | Reading Vlog

[@aemeth5418]

The Earthsea is certainly one of the deepest fantasy books out there. They're just deep in a different way than what you're talking about here.

[@Dunybrook]

There's something to be said for leaving things to the readers imagination instead of describing everything in exhaustive detail.

[@RobinsMusic]

⁠@@Dunybrookyeah the way Earthsea is written makes me so immersed and leaves me wondering and imagining things for a while after reading similar to watching a ghibli movie

[@AllyCraig]

Le Guin is definitely coming from a different school than Tolkien et al. Her focus is more on philosophy than world-building - the world of Earthsea is a background for her philosophical ideas, heavily inspired by Taoism. Ged must learn to accept his darker side, his shadow self, and must learn that not every problem can be solved by taking action. Similarly, Le Guin writes only that which is strictly necessary to the story. Personally I loved it, and found her perspective on the necessity of mortality and the balance of dark and light to be very comforting when I was struggling with bereavement. But if you’re looking for something expansive and Tolkienesque, it’s definitely not that!

[@Steve_Stowers]

When the first three Earthsea books were written, people didn't expect fantasy novels, especially YA fantasy, to be long massive detailed tomes.(The latter three were written significantly later, and I remember them having a different, less compact, style.)

[@berserker8884]

Earthsea is very deep, but it is also some of the most efficiently written narratives out there. I was actually reading these 150 pages for two weeks because of that. Treat it like a short story and everything should click.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

A Wizard of Earthsea is a formative read for me, so much so that rereading it is like coming home. That said, it reads much like a folktale, which I love, but is probably another way of putting the issues you have with it. I’m so glad you gave it another shot, though! Cheers, Merphy!

[@merphynapierreviews]

very good way of putting it!

[@eva-maria4281]

Don't stop after A Wizard of Earthsea, you will love Tombs of Atuan.

[@leonmayne797]

Eh, I didn't like it as much.

[@dajtoad1]

I think Earthsea did something unusual, which was to focus on the dangers of magic. We don't normally see such a talented protagonist overreach in this manner. Normally, brilliant student is brilliant, and the way things go wrong are perhaps that he finds out too much, or there is a big bad Mr Evil who sees him as a target. No, Ged creates his own problems. Magic is not always benign.

[@alphasword5541]

It feels alive and not just a tool that only runs parallel to the plot and characters

[@rriggs6547]

Yes. And the reader gets to explore some concepts in a non-threatening way because the book applies the issues to magic and a fantasy world but the struggles with responsibility and power and so on are ones that each of us must deal with in our own lives to some extent or another.

[@phen0menos]

Le Guin is my favourite author so I'm so glad you gave Earthsea another try even if it wasn't a hit for you. I'd encourage you to at least give the next book a try because I feel like it's a series that evolves as it goes on (especially books 4-6 which were written decades later) and some of your criticisms do get addressed

[@shaggycrow]

Really looking forward to hear you thoughts on the piccolo arc as a whole most people discovered DB from dragonball Z’s anime in the 90s me included. It was my first introduction to a “cartoon” that had a continuous narrative with characters growing and developing.

[@rriggs6547]

The DBZ anime probably was one of the best known 'cartoon's' of that era that had narrative and growth. I go back to Robotech in the 80's, but that was my youth.

[@matheusvmoraes]

As someone who enjoys Eragon, HP and The Name of the Wind, Earthsea totally sparkled my curiosity. Nice vlog Merph, loved the interludes.

[@thomascleveland]

As someone with dyslexia who reads at a snail's pace, it was perfect for me. But if I could have breezed through it in two days like you can, I would have felt the same way. Personally it was one of my favorites, but the thing I missed most was relationships. Ged's journey is a very solitary one.

[@ColonelFredPuntridge]

Are you sure you don't mean that you have dyselxia?

[@rossmeyer2608]

A Wizard of Earthsea is one of my favorite books of all time. It has a totally different feel than other fantasy books.

[@alphasword5541]

I wouldn't say Eragon is deeper than Earthsea? There's definitely more stuff explicitly shown but Le Guin was using it all a lot more intentionally than Paolini. I guess a more constructive thing to add is that there's a lot of daoist elements in Le Guin's work, and I guess that can be seen to be apparent in a "less is more" writing style?

[@rriggs6547]

Wizard is very deep. But a lot of the depth comes from raising questions and then starting you thinking but allowing the reader to come to conclusions. And then giving some brief answers, but not giving full details. It is essentially a philosophy book written with a fantasy setting. The point of the book is the philosophy and not the magic. It is Ged's journey from ignorant youth to a man who realizes he has made mistakes and takes measures to rectify it. He just happens to use magic and there are dragons and so on. If people are expecting Tolkien-esque I can see how they might be disappointed.

[@robofthewest]

LeGuin is one of my favourite fantasy novelists. And 'A Wizard of Earthsea' is my favourite of her books. I have read and reread (and bought, borrowed, and rebought) this one book numerous times. There is so much meaning packed into such a compact novel. The darkness is really dark, and the ending makes so much sense. Great world building. Happy you gave it another shot.

[@Coreyjness]

I love Le Guin. I've read almost everything she's written. The last time you talked about Earthsea you called it episodic. I still agree with that. The books all have extremely different plots. If you get to the Earthsea novellas, they still feel like whole stories despite the length, and I think that this is just due to her style of writing. I personally think The Wizard of Earthsea is my least favorite of all of her writing. I like it, but she goes much deeper thematically and explores the female side of Earthsea much more deeply in the later books. That being said, her Hainish Cycle books are also all really fun. Similarly, it feels like there was a shift in her writing in these books as well towards a more philosophical towards the middle of that series as well.

[@t3cchan]

Haven't read Earthsea, but "The Disposessed" is one of my all-time favorites. HIGHLY recommand giving that one a shot at some point; I don't think it suffers from the same issues you are describing here! Also, Le Guin's short stories and novellas are incredible, as you can imagine. I picked up an anthology of her shorter works called "The Found and the Lost" a few years back and so many of them were absolutely enthralling.

[@Kadaspala]

Yes! Haven't read much LeGuin yet, but The Dispossessed was amazing. One of my all time faves

[@rriggs6547]

I thought A Wizard of Earthsea was good when I read it. That was it. But as I have looked back on it, it has grown on me more and more. I find there are scenes that just stick in my head. And as I see the influence in other works my appreciation grows.

[@CuzinHomechill]

Youve now hit what I would consider to be the beginning of the best stretch of Dragon Ball, itll be good eating for a while. Excited to see how you enjoy the tone continuing to shift serious.

[@ramseyhassan9941]

i think A Wizard of Earthsea briskness is because its not interested in the common concerns of most fantasy lit - it's about Ged's coming of age and him coming to grips with his folly, his shadow. The dragon fights being short and the taming/negotion being longer is a clue into Le Guin's intentions - this book is not like other girls lol She packs in so much in its brief pages but there are many emotionally impactful moments - like between Ged and his school mate - Le Guin also writes the best dragons. Book 2 is just as atypical, book 3 is the most traditionally told fantasy and Book 4 is when things go next level for me

[@ColonelFredPuntridge]

In _A Wizard of Earthsea_ the chapter where Ged encounters the dragon Yvaud and forces it to stop harassing and terrorizing the local islanders was originally published as a stand-alone short story.

[@themythosarchives7520]

Much as I love Earthsea I can understand your perspective. The next book might be more your style since it’s a lot more focused on one thing. Also yes Earthsea has influenced a lot of fantasy, but it isn’t as popular outside of hardcore fantasy circles. And thank you for not condemning Eragon and Paolini despite how much he pulled from other stories. It being derivative is a problem I have with it, but something I learned from Wheel of Time is that you can enjoy something despite it having problems, even serious ones. Plus many people enjoying it because it’s simpler and easier to digest particularly less experienced readers, I’d say still makes it a valid part of fantasy discourse. Gatekeeping is wrong. Also Paolini is aware of his shortcomings and is willing to take criticism.

[@readlikeaman]

Man, I’m SO curious to see what you think about the rest of Earthsea! 😵‍💫 it’s still one of the most difficult ones for me because I liked the first one so much but then felt like they completely fell off from there… always appreciate your thoughts in these vlogs my friend! Also, your scary basement comment had me dying!! 😂😂😂

[@carrie437]

The thing about Earthsea is that the first book is really only a bite, you won't get the satisfaction of the whole meal if you stop there. Think of the series as one large book, and a wizard of Earthsea is only the first chapter. It just doesn't feel complete and satisfying without its sequels to expand upon it.

[@idioume1]

Ursula K. Le Guin called out Rowling a few years back for not acknowledging the inspirations she took.

[@themythosarchives7520]

Le Guin did more than that.

[@idioume1]

@@themythosarchives7520 Please do share!

[@sanjna7570]

The second Earthsea book is a giant step up from the first IMO - I didn't love the first book either, but the series got so much better for me and is now a favorite.

[@kurathchibicrystalkitty5146]

The Tombs of Atuan is my favourite Earthsea book, followed closely by Tehanu.

[@smuckfuzzer]

@@kurathchibicrystalkitty5146Tombs was actually the first one I read. Went back and read them in order as an adult and I still really love the second one a lot.

[@kurathchibicrystalkitty5146]

@@smuckfuzzer Me, too, I read Tombs first, too, when I was quite young. Even though I didn't understand most of it, it still stuck with me, and every time I re-read it, I discover more depth, more nuance, more themes to it. There's a rawness to it, in a way that's hard to describe.

[@rriggs6547]

I honestly didn't care for Tombs at first. It was very slow and introspective. Not normally my style. But this book, more than the others of the series stuck with me. It just wouldn't leave my head. When I went back and re-read the series a few years ago I found that I enjoyed Tombs the most.

[@smuckfuzzer]

@@rriggs6547 I read it in middle school and it also stuck with me for how creepy and dark it seemed. After re-reading it as an adult it doesn't seem nearly as creepy, but it always stuck with me because of that.

[@smuckfuzzer]

It sounds like your problem with Earthsea would simply be solved by reading the rest of the series.

[@adamrivers3250]

Dang, how are you tossing around that Earthsea bind up? You complained about the weight but you make it seem light. Must be the mom strength, I guess. 💪

[@the03k]

You liking Dragon Ball certainly wasn't on my bingo card for this year, especially since I dropped it for all the reasons you've criticized it, but watching these vlogs makes me want to give it another go. Plus I keep hearing that despite it being so old few manga can match it's paneling. Also gives me hope that you'll enjoy Chainsaw Man and appreciate the MC in that series despite him also being a massive perv, because of how much that series respects it's own characters, even, or more like especially, It's large female cast who the MC lusts over. There's a reason the manga has such a large female fan base, and why there's several videos on YT specifically appreciating the women of the series. (Or you'll still end up hating it idk, guessing I'll have to wait till at least next year to see anyways)

[@goldenspiral6008]

The tombs of Atuan is way better than A wizard of Earthsea. It won't solve all the problems you have with it, but the fast pace fits that very contained story much better.

[@ColonelFredPuntridge]

If _A Wizard of Earthsea_ is too short for you, read the whole trilogy! There's _The Tombs of Atuan_ and _The Farthest Shore._

[@theatlascomplex2052]

Plus the next three books, which are even better.

[@thejustinwestra]

That bind up is amazing! I’m not sure if The Wizard of Earthsea will be my cup of tea either but I definitely want to check it out since it’s so influential.

[@mathieuleader8601]

the red ribbon army are my favourite antagonists in Dragonball

[@notrixamoris3318]

Thanks for the interludes Merphy and not bad for a three day week vlog. And it is the slow drip of DRAGON BALL to DBZ...

[@theatlascomplex2052]

I’m so happy to see you reading Earthsea! The last three books are by far my favorite.

[@zainhartono7193]

I loved reading the Earthsea Cycle when I was a kid, Earthsea as well as the Chronicles of Prydain which I would highly recommend for your own kids. Then reading them again much older helped me through some dark times.

[@Merdragoon]

I think I'm ejoying more than some others is because it's suppose to be simple. The Introduction to the rest of the books (which from what I understand are longer than this one) and that it's *actually* in Third Person limited. Ged is simple. He's not wise, and he's impusltive as a kid. In A Wizard of Earth Sea you are seeing it through Ged's eyes and seeing how he thinks of people. I prefer third person Limited vs First Person. The Enchanted Forest Chronicals are actually written in the same way (other than the fourth book which I have no idea *why* it was written in the first person instead.) So you're actually seeing the world through their perspective and their thoughts and not the bigger picture. You're used to Third Person limited when there's (usually, but maybe less) 5 different perspectives and thus it doesn't feel like Third Person Limited and more like Omi Third person. I've noticed this pattern of books you read that it bothers you when it's just the one person perspecive and not several. Anne McCaffery also does more Third Person Limited with one person. Mercadies Lackey does Third person limited but some books have two to three POVs while others just have the one. Lord of the Rings I think have at least two different POVs in its Third Person limited or if it's actually Omi. It's been a while so I have to reread some time. Not it's not to say that there may be books out there you do like that is one pov in third person limited. I haven't read it yet but I have a feeling "Monday's not Coming" is one of those and you loved it. But you're also know the modern world and you're not wanting to look at the worldbuilding. But the point of it is looking more at the themes using the world around theme for a conversation. Ged is learning that the world isn't Black and White. The way he views witches and what he was taught with his master before going to the school is about witches are they are greedy people who just happen to know how to take care of people with their magic. The Shamanism is put to the wayside in his head because he doesn't see it "useful". but as time goes on, he's learning more that "my younger views are wrong. I only have myself to blame and I need to learn to be a better person." Apparently Tehanu actually addresses the problems with the sepration between Witches and Wizards as Witches *used* to go to that magical school on Roke, but something happened to cause them to not allow women in the school anymore. I want to get to that book but I'm reading from the beginning so I can actually know why that book talks about it.

[@zofiabochenska1240]

I didn't love the Wizard as well, for the same reasons - I want more "meat' in my stories, more background. I miiiight read it again, however I'm thinking about reading her SciFi first - I heard there are some brilliant ideas explored in her SF books.

[@rriggs6547]

Honestly Wizard is mostly a philosophy book with a fantasy setting in short story form. She is great at creating moving moments and scenes but moves on quickly because her focus is on how the character deals with things instead of the magic or dragon or world. It certainly is not for everyone and those who are expecting Tolkien are probably disappointed.

[@heidi6281]

Merphy I just found out about a pirate themed book called A High Wind in Jamaica. It is on the top 100 novels of the 20th Century. British children get kidnapped by pirates and the story is through their eyes. I will let you know how it is. It is supposed to be an adventure comedy.

[@moonstonepearl21]

I didn't care for A Wizard of Earthsea as much as many others do either, while appreciating what it did and inspired, however, there are many books in this world, so all the books combined might flesh things out more and take care of the problems you had. Also, the map is crazy detailed, to the point where it is maybe too much.

[@tunesmelodia]

I'm still really enjoying The Three Musketeers :) I tried to read it once in high school but found it boring. This time, however, I'm loving it so far

[@thejawajedi87]

I've always wanted to read Earthsea. Definitely will get to it one day. I think my favourite Dragon series is the Enchanted Forest Chronicles by Patricia Wrede. 200 pages into Revelation Space. I think I've pinpointed what I'm really enjoying about it - it's the 90s scifi aesthetic. So good but it's taking me so long to read. I don't like reading on my phone.

[@kampover]

Loved the video, but I have to say that I ADORE the nature interludes that you put into the videos, they're just beatiful.

[@litlbucky]

The waterfall story 🤣

[@JohnSaxon-vw5vi]

All I can say is that I dnf earth sea as I just couldn’t get into it please stay safe and healthy and prayers and blessings for you and your husband and your beautiful children love your Aussie family friend John ❤❤❤

[@litlbucky]

Amazing, gorgeous clips- love all your family adventures ❤

[@donkevinbrown9906]

Oh my goodness, I thought this was 'The Reapers Gail Blog".....😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁 It is important that you do not start "The Wandering Inn". I think it is a book that never ends.... I can't seem to finish it.... they are writing faster than I can read. Great info about Earthsea.....

[@badfaith4u]

The hiking interludes were amazing and gorgeous.

[@amy_harboredinpages8272]

Dragons 🐉 🐉 🐉!!! 📚😃📖

[@mjdaniel8710]

Some of my favorite Dragons are in Malazan

[@Dontdoit_]

I hope you are watching some of the anime scenes and fights as well. When Krillin dies I cry every time

[@kueri440]

Murphy. that book is really worth reading multiple times :D

[@BrebearMckae]

🐉

[@TheSwordAndThePenREFLECTIONS]

Thank you for articulating my shameful non-love of Leguin. 😬😅 Try Bujold.

[@asajohannesson2012]

I love Earthsea, but I like the series much better from book 2 on

[@involunteer]

After this vlog, I'm curious how you would feel about Patricia McKillip's "Riddle-Master of Hed".

[@nevetstrevel4711]

Are you going to review the dragon prince season 4 and 5?

[@rachelspencer9456]

🧡📚🧡📚🧡📚🧡

[@Haleybug12314]

This has nothing to do with this video but I just wanted to let you know that I’ve picked up “A Man Called Ove” on your recommendation and I’m so excited to read it! Did you know they have a movie adaptation on Netflix? Do you plan on watching it?

[@MagillanicaLouM]

Always have to remind myself DNF in this context isn't talking about the video game series lol

[@ColonelFredPuntridge]

Have you ever encountered a fantasy book called THE CHILDREN'S COUNTRY by Kay Burdekin, published 1929?

[@Amira_Ke]

Merphy, hear me out. I think you should slow down with Dragon Ball. Like, maybe do a reading vlog every volume, and include spoilers in the video. Maybe I'm biased, because DB+DBZ manga is my all time favorite story, but um, please?😁 If you think the last arc of Dragon Ball was exciting, well, you're now heading into the Saiyan and Namek sagas, so you're about to get lots more excitement! If anyone else supports this idea, hit the like on this comment.

[@fllenex]

Tried reading tatsuki fujimoto works...

[@andrewberenson5717]

Merphy. Have you read Philip Chase's newest book yet? It has dragons.

[@Lynn-CA]

She's reading it this month. They are doing a liveshow with Philip and Merphy wanted to read just before that liveshow so it was fresh in her mind to discuss

[@thecubicmeteor9083]

You read how many books in that short a time? Have you ascended to a new plane of existence? Or maybe I'm just slow. It's been a while since I last saw a Merphy video. Not since the original Dear Authors series ended. (Which really helped with my book btw) Pleased to see she's going stronger than ever. Am I terribly wrong, or didn't she use to review any book you sent in for a fair wadge of cash? I feel like I'm thinking of someone else?

[@Lynn-CA]

Erm, you're definitely thinking of someone else

[@Lynn-CA]

Oh, unless you mean she used to critique manuscripts for authors? That's a whole different ballgame, where she'd be paid for a service and yes she used to do that.

[@luisquintanilla1694]

:)

[@Kayaonanao]

I recommended reading the Bleach manga next. LIAM absolutely hates it and I am curious to see how you'll feel about it. It's one of the Highest selling manga of all time alongside Naruto and One Piece

[@datyungn502]

Is totally not mark gonna be a guest on the dragon ball stream

[@tinagarcia3571]

I know why you are getting defensive, because far too many people these days confuse inspiration with plagiarism and that to me is annoying and sad. Where would Shakespeare be without authors being inspired by him, in the dust heaps of history , that's where.