A Wizard of Earthsea

Many fantasy stories and fantasy worlds have great old wizards, wise and powerful. A Wizard of Earthsea follows one such wizard before he became great, old, and wise. A young boy with a strong aptitude for magic overconfidently attempts to open a path to the world of the dead, accidentally unleashing a dangerous shadow that hunts him throughout his days. Fearing, fleeing, and finally confronting what must surely be his doom, the boy becomes a man, beginning one of the great sagas of fantasy literature.

One in a series by the great Ursula K. Le Guin, this is a must-read for any fan of excellent fantasy. Scott's choice here was primarily to ensure that everyone has in fact read it. It was also a nice excuse to discuss the book, which deals with complex ideas despite its simple framing.

Simply written, elegantly put together, this is a classic for all time. There is little to criticize and much to praise. Literally everyone should read A Wizard of Earthsea at some point in their lives. It's a book for all ages and all times.