Earthsea, a group of islands forming an archipelago, is an imaginary world similar to western Europe's middle ages. In place of the church and clerics holding western Europe together, magic and magicians bind Earthsea.

The magic of Earthsea, however, is much like science. The quest of the magicians seems to be to discover the true names and behaviors of objects in nature. On knowing these a still more important goal presents itself, maintaining the balance or equilibrium of the world. True or good magic then only seeks to maintain the natural order and not wantonly to exercise power over it.

Gont, the setting of Tehanu, is the island home of Ged, one of the great mages of his culture. Poor and rocky, the island's economy is supported by seafaring, farming, and grazing. Like the rest of Earthsea, Gont has a preindustrial craft culture. Tenar, who was a priestess...