Gifts by Ursula K. Le Guin

Among the impoverished clans of the Uplands are people with wondrous gifts. Some have the power to twist a limb, others to destroy living things, and then there are those who can call animals on a whim. These magical clans, however, live in desolate farms, while being under constant fear that their neighbours may use their gifts again them.

In this bleak world, two young people who have been friends since childhood decide not to use their gifts. The first is a boy, who decides to wear a blindfold in order to prevent his eyes, which can kill with a mere look, to see the light of day. The other, a girl, refuses to use her power to call on animals as she doesn’t want to participate in her village’s hunt. In this wonderful story by a master of science fiction, we learn how it’s possible to forego power, while being reminded of the difficulty of growing up.

4 out of 5 stars