Thistledown
| Fanfiction | |
|---|---|
| Title: | Thistledown |
| Author(s): | Edo no Hana |
| Date(s): | 2009 |
| Length: | ~2000 words |
| Genre: | gen |
| Fandom: | Earthsea |
| External Links: | @AO3; @ff.net |
Click here for related articles on Fanlore. | |
Thistledown is an Earthsea story by Edo no Hana, written in December 2009 for Doire in the Yuletide exchange. The story is set immediately after A Wizard of Earthsea. It features Ged & Vetch, and was one of the earliest stories to include Vetch's sister, Yarrow; there's also an original character.
The author's summary is: The deeds of women are not often written into songs.
Edo no Hana states in the story's notes:
This story was inspired by my thoughts on Le Guin's ideas about heroism, domesticity, and how they are categorized as male and female.
It's also my sideways speculation, via different characters with similar mindsets, on what might have happened had Ged stayed with Ogion rather than going to Roke.
Luzula recorded a podfic of the story in 2015 for The Exchange at Fic Corner; it is 12 1/2 minutes long.[1]
Reception
'Thistledown' was well received. Readers praised the original character, the characterisations, the Le Guin-like style & tone, and the meld of the prosaic with the magical. They also appreciated the way the story brought together the early books in the series with the more woman-centric world of the later books.
Recs & Reviews
The story has been recommended by Beth H, Espresso Addict & Victoria P.
This slow-burning vignette does an excellent job of melding the prosaic & the magical (Espresso Addict)[3]
Wonderful story of something that happens after Ged lays his shadow to rest. (Victoria P)[4]
References
- ^ Available on AO3
- ^ Recs Recs Recs: Earthsea (accessed 10 September 2015)
- ^ Espresso Recommendations: Ursula Le Guin – Earthsea (accessed 10 September 2015)
- ^ Unfit for Society: i have my books and my poetry to protect me (accessed 10 September 2015)