The Beginning Place

The Beginning Place by Ursula K. Le Guin (Tor, 1980) Hugh, suddenly overwhelmed by the dreary, lifeless routine of work-television-work, runs from the house he shares with his mother. He does not know where he is going. He runs down streets and past suburban homes and finds himself at a strange and beautiful creek. The water is cool and revives him, brings him back to himself. He soon visits this place as often as he can, finding in it something sacred and unspeakable. He thinks he is the only one who comes there, until one day he sees a young woman, who likewise thinks this is her place. In fact, she has known of this place for much longer, and knows also of the strange people who live a ways up the trail. She knows, too, of a great fear that is terrorizing them, and that there is something—perhaps someone—they are waiting for. There are several allegories at work here, not the least of which seems to me to have some of Beowulf to it. But I think the book may also be seen as a kind…