Earthsea Books ((full)) Today

“The edge of the Inmost Sea,” the woman said. “And also the back of your wardrobe. Location is a matter of agreement, not geography.” She tilted her head. “You bought the map. Most people see it and walk away. They sense the truth in it—that names have power, that balance is real—but they choose the comfortable lie. You chose the uncomfortable truth.”

“What is this?” she asked.

Jungian psychology permeates the first book. Ged’s shadow represents the parts of himself he refuses to acknowledge. He cannot defeat it with magic; he can only heal it by naming it as part of himself. This is a metaphor for psychological maturity. earthsea books