Thomcat
11/6/2024
An interesting short novel about two people and a gateway to another world. The events of the novel are snapshots into larger histories, but much is also left out.
The novel follows Hugh until Irena arrives, and then points of view mostly alternate between them in sections of chapters. These sections differ with the internal views of the characters and the environment - waves of depression which may emanate from the villain, for instance. Much of the story is mythic in nature, and it has been compared to Narnia, Alice's Looking Glass and even Shakespeare's As You Like It.
Those are some heavy hitters, but this novel is much lighter. The villagers story (and decline) isn't really explored, and there is no resolution within the book. I appreciated the psychological terror, but it made the plot that much harder to follow. The ending felt a little rushed, and while these two characters depended on each other, I didn't see the chemistry.
Looking forward to more Le Guin books soon, including a reread of her Earthsea novels.