Gifts by Ursula K. Le Guin

Gifts
Ursula K. Le Guin
ISBN 0-15-205123-6
274 pages
Harcourt, 2004

Genre: Fantasy

Readers Annotation
Two teens gifted with potentially destructive powers must decide how--and if--to use their abilities.

Plot Summary
In a world that resembles medieval Europe, the noble families possess magical powers. Teenage Orrec's family, on his father's side, has the ability of Unmaking, which allows them to destroy anything with their minds. Orrec's mother is a commoner from the Lowlands; while the Lowlanders have a more advanced, sophisicated society, they are kept in check by the magical powers of the Uplander families. Because of his mixed heritage, no one is sure whether he'll inherit the gift.

When he comes of age, a tragic incident shows that Orrec possesses the gift in a magnitude that has never been seen before; it seems as though Orrec may be able to destroy anything that merely passes his mind. While a tentative peace has been maintained by the nobles up until now, for they all fear becoming the victim of each other's powers, his father sees Orrec as a weapon that will help him gain ultimate power. Rather than participate in the war that follows, Orrec blindfolds himself so that he cannot use his powers. Orrec retreats to the Lowlands with his childhood friend Gry, who also rejects her family's gift of calling animals to be slaughtered in the hunt. There, blinded for years, Orrec and Gry live a simple life, come of age, and struggle with how--or if--they should use their powers.

Critical Evaluation
Le Guin has written a gorgeous book, full of beautiful, poetic language and strong characterizations. Readers who are hoping for fast-paced action may be disapointed, while more sophisticated readers who accept the book's slower tempo will be rewarded for their patience. While the story works as a pure fantasy tale, it also is clearly a metaphor for adolescence and coming of age. Orrec and Gry reject the choices of their families and decide the terms on which they'll live their lives as adults.

Le Guin also makes some interesting choices in terms of her portrayals of the Uplanders and Lowlanders; though the Uplanders' magic allows them to stay the ruling the class, they clearly have the more backwards society. Orrec's mother, who allowed herself to be abducted by his father during an attack on a Lowland city, is a thoughtful woman who ensures that Orrec learns to read and write, and not just rely on his magic. A product of both worlds, Orrec eventually makes an informed choice as to which path he'll choose to follow.

About the Author
Ursula K. Le Guin is a highly decorated writer of fantasy and science fiction for young adults. She is best known for the way she explores human society through the imaginary worlds she creates in her novels. Though she has written extensively, she is perhaps best known for Earthsea, a fictional world she has explored in multiple novels and short stories for over 30 years.

Other Books in the Series
Orrec and Gry's world is explored in two other novels
Voices (2006)
Powers (2007)

Curriculum Ties
The book could be used to discuss the issue of choice: how each person's life may be formed by his biology and his family, but he still has the power to decide the course of his life based on the choices he makes.

Booktalking Ideas
1. Focus on Gry and Orrec's powers and their decision not to use them.
2. Talk about the growing relationship between Gry and Orrec.
3. Talk about how Orrec is caught between two worlds, the Uplanders and his father, and the Lowlanders and his mother.

Reading Interest/Level
While the reading level is appropriate for junior high students, slightly older students would probably more enjoy the book's slower pace and deep characterizations.

Challenge Issues
Though there are some scenes of war and violence, they are not graphic. This book is not likely to be challenged.

Selection Criteria
I am not well-versed in fantasy, so I asked several people who enjoy the genre who would be a good author for young adults to read. They all mentioned Ursula K. Le Guin.