Source plot synopsis — includes the ending
All the stories reinterpret the world of Earthsea. In the initial trilogy, Earthsea society and the practice of magic are dominated by men. Women can at most be witches, which is the despised lowest rank of the magical world, as expressed in the Earthsea proverb "Weak as women's magic, wicked as women's magic".
The stories in Tales from Earthsea attempt to redress the balance. It is disclosed that the Roke school had been established by women who were later excluded from it; and that Ogion, Ged's beloved tutor and mentor, had learnt his magic from a master who had in turn learnt from an "unauthorised" woman mage. Other stories feature strong and assertive women who in various ways challenge male dominance.
"The Finder" (a novella). The school of mages is established on Roke island.
"Darkrose and Diamond" (1999). The daughter of a witch and the son of a rich merchant of Havnor love each other. The tale is headed by "A Boat Song from West Havnor", and ended with the melody for the song.
"The Bones of the Earth". Ogion the Silent helps his wizard master deal with an earthquake that threatens Gont.
"On the High Marsh". A mysterious healer arrives in a remote village on the little-visited island of Semel, which is threatened by a livestock epidemic.
"Dragonfly" (1998). A woman on the troubled estate of Iria on the island of Way realises she has some sort of power, more than a witch's. This is a postscript to the novel Tehanu.
The book contains in addition a foreword, and at the end "A Description of Earthsea", a reference narrative covering Earthsea's peoples, languages, history, and magic.
The stories in Tales from Earthsea attempt to redress the balance. It is disclosed that the Roke school had been established by women who were later excluded from it; and that Ogion, Ged's beloved tutor and mentor, had learnt his magic from a master who had in turn learnt from an "unauthorised" woman mage. Other stories feature strong and assertive women who in various ways challenge male dominance.
"The Finder" (a novella). The school of mages is established on Roke island.
"Darkrose and Diamond" (1999). The daughter of a witch and the son of a rich merchant of Havnor love each other. The tale is headed by "A Boat Song from West Havnor", and ended with the melody for the song.
"The Bones of the Earth". Ogion the Silent helps his wizard master deal with an earthquake that threatens Gont.
"On the High Marsh". A mysterious healer arrives in a remote village on the little-visited island of Semel, which is threatened by a livestock epidemic.
"Dragonfly" (1998). A woman on the troubled estate of Iria on the island of Way realises she has some sort of power, more than a witch's. This is a postscript to the novel Tehanu.
The book contains in addition a foreword, and at the end "A Description of Earthsea", a reference narrative covering Earthsea's peoples, languages, history, and magic.
Sources and content license
Source and revision history ↗ · Adapted from Wikipedia contributors, Tales from Earthsea. Section headings and formatting adjusted. · Content license