This paper analyses Stanisław Barańczak’s translation of Ursula K. Le Guin’s novel A Wizard of Earthsea. An overview of the first publications of the American writer in Poland is followed by a description of the obstacles that were encountered by Stanisław Lem when trying to publish Le Guin’s novel in the book series that he directed. Subsequently, Stanisław Barańczak’s translation is analysed to show the strategies that he adopted, the recurring techniques, and the problematic renderings due to a lack of familiarity with the fantasy genre.