description Tehanu Overview
"Tehanu" is a high fantasy novel by Ursula K. Le Guin published in 1990, serving as the fourth book in the Earthsea series. The story revisits the character Tenar, now a widow, as she adopts a physically scarred and burned young girl with mysterious origins. Subverting earlier epic fantasy tropes in the series, the narrative focuses heavily on domestic life, gender roles, and the everyday lives of women in the Earthsea universe.
The novel won both the Nebula and Locus awards for best novel.
insights Ranking position
Tehanu ranks #26 of 171 in the High Fantasy ranking, behind The Fires of Heaven, ahead of Toll the Hounds.
help Tehanu FAQ
What book is Tehanu and who wrote it?
Tehanu is a high fantasy novel by Ursula K. Le Guin, published in 1990. It is the fourth book in the Earthsea series.
What is the plot of Tehanu?
The story revisits the character Tenar, now a widow, who adopts a physically scarred and burned young girl named Therru with mysterious origins. Ged, the former Archmage, also returns, diminished and stripped of his powers.
How does Tehanu differ from earlier Earthsea books?
Tehanu subverts the heroic fantasy of the earlier Earthsea novels by focusing on domestic life, aging, and women's experiences. It critiques the patriarchal assumptions of the original trilogy and expands the world's emotional and social scope.
When was Tehanu published?
Tehanu was published in 1990, roughly 18 years after The Farthest Shore. It won the Nebula Award for Best Novel and helped reinvigorate the Earthsea series.
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