Book Review: Voices by Ursula Le Guin

Ursula Le Guin is a well known author in fantasy circles for her Earthsea trilogy of novels. I read the Earthsea cycle several years ago and, while I enjoyed them, I have a very vague memory of what they were about. I'm not sure where Voices fits in with her more famous books, but I certainly enjoyed it a lot better. It is set in a town that has been persecuted because of its love for books, and told through the perspective of a seventeen year old girl. The prose is simple, the descriptions evocative and the situation very realistic despite its fantasy setting. I'm not really sure why it is called Voices, as the story is told from one person's point of view and voices don't seem to play a big part in the story (as in, she doesn't hear voices and she isn't always listening to different people and their opinions). There is also a woman with a lion which I liked. This story involved little to no magic, so if you like your fantasy stories very magical and unlike the so called real world, then this book isn't for you. However, if you are in the mood for a nicely told little tale, then you might enjoy this. I give it 6/10