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Gifts is a children's or young adult's title by Ursula K. Le Guin. It's set in a world similar to that of the Earthsea novels, a pre-industrial society. In this story the people of the Uplands have various "gifts" or powers that are passed down through clans in a hereditary manner. This story is told by a young man who has the gift of "undo", the ability to make things come undone (which can kill if used on a living being). There is conflict with other clans and conflict within his own family because he can't seem to control his gift. Le Guin is a very talented writer. I have read all the Earthsea novels and most of her earlier science fiction (e.g., The Dispossessed). Her descriptions and storytelling are great. This is not a simple tale, it's hard to believe it's considered to be a children's book. From Wikipedia: Gifts won the PEN Center USA 2005 Children's literature award. Gifts is the first title in a three-book series. The subsequent titles in the series are Voices and Powers.

2023-07-17 05:00