Tehanu by Ursula Le Guin

… Unfortunately, le Guin tends to concentrate more on the darker side of life, human nature and the world, with very little uplifting, cheerful or even tranquil moments to balance out the pain and horror that she fills this particular story with. Although Ged’s misery is eventually relieved through his late-blossoming relationship with Tenar, it is precious little light in a very dark novel. For what it’s worth Tehanu is a remarkably original and painstakingly plotted novel — but the final chapters are filled with such sickening misogyny and sadism that it left a sour taste in my mouth. I have no desire to ever read this book again, and that’s something I hoped I’d never say about a Le Guin novel. Read the rest.