Gifts

Le Guin, Ursula K. Gifts. Orlando, Fla: Harcourt, 2004.

A young man’s eyes are bound to prevent him from using the horrible gift of the Unmaking.

In the desolate Uplands, tribes have supernatural gifts to protect themselves against marauders. Orrec ‘s clan has the gift of the Unmaking, which is as it sounds – the taking of life. Orrec can’t control his power, however, so his father blindfolds him permanently.

Orrec becomes increasingly isolated and spends much of him time with his friend Gry, a girl from a neighboring tribe who has refused to use her inherited gift. But is his lonely existence based on a lie?

I . . . stood watching south, west, north. Watching! Using my eyes! Being of use, not a useless lump in a blindfold being led about by a girl and a dog! What if I had no gift? I had my eyesight, and my anger, and a knife.

What is the truth of Orrec’s gift? Where will his discoveries lead him?

Awards

Booklist Editors' Choice Books for Youth: Older Readers, 2004; Parents’ Choice Foundation Parents’ Choice Award for Fiction, 2004; Margaret A. Edwards Award Author Award.

Jacket illustration © 2004 by Cliff Nielsen. Jacket design by Vaughn Andrews. Scanned May 30, 2009.