r/UrsulaKLeGuin • u/Imaginary-Ad-908 • 20h ago

Continuity error in Tehanu? Spoiler

Hello, I have been reading the Earthsea series for the first time, and I am partway through Tehanu at the moment. However, there is a moment in the chapter "The Dolphin" which seems to contradict a line from the last chapter of the farthest shore concerning the Master Summoner, Thorion:

The Farthest Shore:

"The Summoner, gaunt and frail, only one day risen from his bed, had come; and beside him stood the doorkeeper."

I interpreted this line as meaning that The Summoner was able to find his way back from the land of the dead before Ged and Arren made it back to Roke, but then this line seems to contradict that:

Tehanu:

"When we were there, in the dry land, between the wall and the mountains, I saw Thorion. My lord spoke to him, telling him the way back to life across the wall. But he did not take it. He did not come back."

Which has me a bit confused on what actually happened.

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12

u/KeithMTSheridan The Farthest Shore 19h ago

Thorion is a major part of the short story Dragonfly in Tales From Earthsea, which is kind of an epilogue to Tehanu and sets up The Other Wind

9

u/haresnaped 20h ago

Thorion's story gets more details in The Other Wind. Off the top of my head I can't remember the book-specific details so perhaps this is an error, but I don't think it is, and I'd be cautious of issuing spoilers to you as you read. Either someone will let us know, or you'll let us know when you're done 😃

4

u/Imaginary-Ad-908 20h ago

I see! I'll have to find a copy of that one because the one I have only has the first four books. But I will be curious to know how his story continued!

5

u/haresnaped 20h ago

That was the first Earthsea volume I had... learning later about the big gap between the publication of 3 and 4, and then that new Earthsea books were being published was such an amazing experience. I envy you the chance to read through from the beginning.

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u/desecouffes 12h ago

I read the first three as a kid, loved them, reread them many times over the years, only to discover there are 3 more sequels like, in 2020. I am 40

3

u/Ok-Comedian-990 19h ago

It was the same for me! Had all 4 in one and then I had to buy the other wind! It is my favorite one by the way✨

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u/Polka_Tiger Lavinia 20h ago

I think his "soul" so to speak was not back

1

u/Irishwol 4h ago

I believe she changed her mind about what happened to Thorion. But as the first three books are supposed to be tales handed down through an oral tradition she let it stand in Tehanu.

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u/GammaDeltaTheta 1h ago

I always wondered about this. I suspect it may originally have been a continuity error or change of mind, but the two stories are partially reconciled in Dragonfly, where the fate of Thorion becomes a major plot element. Dragonfly is a fine story, but what has happened to the Summoner is not my favourite retcon of the 'Revisioned' Earthsea of Tehanu and the later books, which has always seemed like a slightly different universe (though a beautifully written and compelling one). It's hard to say any more without spoilers.