The Other Wind

The Other Wind is the fourth novel in Ursula K. Le Guin's Earthsea series, following A Wizard of Earthsea, The Tombs of Atuan, and The Farthest Shore. Published in 2001, it revisits Ged (Sparrowhawk) and introduces new characters while exploring themes of mortality, death, balance, and the relationship between the living and the dead in Earthsea.

The novel centers on the unease spreading throughout Earthsea, as the walls between the land of the living and the land of the dead are weakening. The dead are becoming restless and attempting to return to the world of the living, drawn by the perceived incompleteness of their lives. This imbalance threatens the natural order and causes unrest and suffering.

Tehanu (Therru), a young woman scarred by abuse and fire, is drawn into the unfolding crisis. As the daughter of Tenar and Ged, she possesses unique abilities and is pivotal in understanding and resolving the problems plaguing Earthsea. Lebannen (Arren), the young king of Earthsea, seeks out Ged’s wisdom and guidance in dealing with the escalating disruption.

Ged, now old and weary after a lifetime of service and magical exploration, finds himself confronting the ultimate question of death itself. He seeks to understand the source of the disturbance and restore the balance between life and death, even if it means questioning the very foundations of Earthsea's magic and beliefs.

The Other Wind delves into the complex relationship between magic, power, and responsibility. It challenges the traditional understanding of death as an ending, exploring the possibility of reconciliation and acceptance. The novel culminates in a significant shift in the fundamental understanding of death and the afterlife within the Earthsea universe, leading to a new era of balance and acceptance. The book emphasizes the importance of accepting mortality and finding peace within the cycle of life and death.