Help
quote:
Originally posted by Rallick Nom:
*wanders into thread, glances at Torvald*
Hmm, must be a gay thing.
Awwww, you wanna big non-gay hug too Cuzz?
We are family after all so thats ok
What is your opinion on the Wheel of Time?
#41 Guest_Torvald Nom_*
Posted 16 June 2004 - 09:29 AM
Awwww, you wanna big non-gay hug too Cuzz?
We are family after all so thats ok
#43 Guest_bskahan_*
Posted 24 July 2004 - 07:51 PM
I am beginning to wonder just how many books he plans on writing for this series? After reading the first ten books I cannot exactly stop now so I am dammed! I do not see a quick end to the series either.
My main problem right now with the books is that he has brought so many people back to life under different names that I am a bit lost...and I do not want to read all the books again.
My main problem right now with the books is that he has brought so many people back to life under different names that I am a bit lost...and I do not want to read all the books again.
#44
Tiste Simeon 
- Faith, Heavy Metal & Bacon
-
- Group: Malaz Regular
- Posts: 12,732
- Joined: 08-October 04
- Location:T'North
Posted 06 December 2004 - 09:48 AM
quote:
Quoted by Tiste Simeon in another thread:
There is so much discussion on WOT, I dunno what to do!
HELP!!
I say it unto thee again.
A Haunting Poem
I Scream
You Scream
We all Scream
For I Scream.
I Scream
You Scream
We all Scream
For I Scream.
#45
caladanbrood
- Ugly on the Inside
-
- Group: Team Quick Ben
- Posts: 10,819
- Joined: 07-January 03
- Location:Manchester, UK
Posted 10 June 2004 - 06:06 AM
quote:
Originally posted by Fool:
So does my chess opening against 4-year olds.
hmm, thats actually an incredably good analogy. He's got memories of however many years, so for him I guess it is like playing chess against four-year olds
O xein', angellein Lakedaimoniois hoti têde; keimetha tois keinon rhémasi peithomenoi.
#46 Guest_reve7_*
Posted 12 June 2004 - 01:01 AM
quote:
Erikson manages to write every character as if they are a genius.
No he dosen't. Tehol, Quick Ben, Kruppe these are the only ones who strike me as being genuises. Kalam never seemed a genius or Fiddler or any other that I can think of rght now.
#47 Guest_Drake Labatt_*
Posted 17 June 2004 - 01:34 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Dark Daze:
One last thing: Why should Erikson's idea of military resemble modern military?
One could make the case that a military force with 'modern' stylings is easier for readers to get their heads around, and easier for the author too!
quote:
Alternatively even in modern times their are other systems. Generally in Israel all males have to spend a few years in the military.
Compulsory military service is very common in a lot of countries. Israel, Poland, Romania, etc.
#48 Guest_Malakai_*
Posted 18 December 2004 - 07:05 AM
I enjoyed the books. Till about book 8 or 9. Book 10 i got half way through and started falling asleep, i really dont have the willpower to finish book 10. Fair enough going back in time to link stories together, but Erikson can do that in a chapter. Why can't RJ?
Another thing that turned me off the series was that at the start of every book there was at least 2 pages of crap. It didnt further the story, all it did was desribe characters whom you already know, doing at least a paragraph of description. And this wasn't confined to the first chapter, it happened every time a character was seen for the first time in the book. Bored me to tears those descriptions did.
But then again i guess the series could be called a "first step" in the realm of fantasy. Purely because they're so popular people most probably would buy them and read them. For me it was the SoT series. But thats another topic now. I'm glad to say i have moved on from both series.
Another thing that turned me off the series was that at the start of every book there was at least 2 pages of crap. It didnt further the story, all it did was desribe characters whom you already know, doing at least a paragraph of description. And this wasn't confined to the first chapter, it happened every time a character was seen for the first time in the book. Bored me to tears those descriptions did.
But then again i guess the series could be called a "first step" in the realm of fantasy. Purely because they're so popular people most probably would buy them and read them. For me it was the SoT series. But thats another topic now. I'm glad to say i have moved on from both series.
#49 Guest_Richard_*
Posted 30 November 2004 - 02:32 PM
I'm on page 500 of EOTW now, and quite honestly I don't see myself reading book 2+. I'm having trouble getting thru this one as it is. I've read a lot of thread with people saying it gets bad/pointless/endless/etc after book 6 - I am in awe at the patience/stamina/intestinal fortitude of those individuals.
EDIT: will save my opinion until I've read further
EDIT: will save my opinion until I've read further
#50
Cause
- Elder God
-
- Group: Malaz Regular
- Posts: 6,054
- Joined: 25-December 03
- Location:NYC
Posted 17 August 2004 - 09:41 AM
What if it is not the hardcover how do you get rid of that ripped off feeling. Book ten should not have been published. If book 11 is not up to scratch and I will wait for someone to tell me if it is I will drop the series so fast...
#51 Guest_Dark Daze_*
Posted 10 June 2004 - 09:34 PM
When something becomes popular enough it reaches something known as icon status. Icons are supposed to be beyond reproach because they are inherently good. If you don't like them, there must be something wrong with you rather than the work in question e.g. the Mona Lisa, Pride and Predjudice and The Tampa Bay Lightning.
WOT is insanely popular in the world of fantasy, but not without good reason. Despite it's numerous flaws, it has a grander scope than Tolkien with more subplots and more magic than any of the other fantasy books from the same time period. The thematic and character aspects of the story may have numerous faults but it is easy for a lot of readers to ignore this by imposing themselves and their own ideas on Jordan's work. Also, the degree of detail which often makes people grind their teeth in frustration sometimes allows readers a vicarious experience with which few other fantasy authors can compete.
Anyway, even though a Rand vs. forsaken battle is nothing more than a glorified rock, paper, sissors match, I find myself totally captivated by them. Battles need not be brilliant to be engaging. Battles can also captivate a reader by the skillfully denying and granting expectation.
The only military maneuvers I remember being impressed with in a book are the Trojan horse in the Illiad and the moving forest in Macbeth.
WOT is insanely popular in the world of fantasy, but not without good reason. Despite it's numerous flaws, it has a grander scope than Tolkien with more subplots and more magic than any of the other fantasy books from the same time period. The thematic and character aspects of the story may have numerous faults but it is easy for a lot of readers to ignore this by imposing themselves and their own ideas on Jordan's work. Also, the degree of detail which often makes people grind their teeth in frustration sometimes allows readers a vicarious experience with which few other fantasy authors can compete.
Anyway, even though a Rand vs. forsaken battle is nothing more than a glorified rock, paper, sissors match, I find myself totally captivated by them. Battles need not be brilliant to be engaging. Battles can also captivate a reader by the skillfully denying and granting expectation.
The only military maneuvers I remember being impressed with in a book are the Trojan horse in the Illiad and the moving forest in Macbeth.
#52
Ellestra
- Lieutenant
-
- Group: Malaz Regular
- Posts: 116
- Joined: 25-April 03
Posted 25 August 2004 - 10:41 AM
I just wish he would tell us how it ends and what the main characters fate is - you know like in some movies when at the end they say x married y and they had five kids and z became tranvestite and moved to Holland 
This way we would be spared the horror of yet another book, and another, and another...
This way we would be spared the horror of yet another book, and another, and another...
Evolution, just like gravity, works even if you don't believe in it.
Stupidity doesn't hurt but it kills.
Stupidity doesn't hurt but it kills.
#53 Guest__*
Posted 29 June 2004 - 07:47 PM
quote:
So what? I couldn't give a crap about the Simarillion, it was one of the most boring and unappealing books I've ever had the misfortune of opening. I don't need a reference manual, and I /shouldn't/ need a reference manual as evidence of an author's dedication. The novels will do just fine thanx.
#54
Mort
- Captain
-
- Group: Malaz Regular
- Posts: 193
- Joined: 23-January 03
Posted 15 June 2004 - 05:19 PM
The Loose One said:
Dude, they be fighting words....
quote:
Even in today's world the majority of soldiers are not the cream of the crop. They are the ones who either can't afford to go to college/university or are frankly too dumb to get a job anywhere else but the military. That is why I think it is unrealistic for soldiers to start hatching diabolical plans to overthrow empires and spouting philosophy about the nature of gods and the world in Erikson's series.
Dude, they be fighting words....
#55 Guest__*
Posted 15 June 2004 - 02:34 PM
Yes, Genius is to strong a word. It was intended only to make a point, and others have already clarified.
The point is - even the books that we all love can be picked apart if someone desires. Judging from the responses to my post I'd say we could have a whole other thread on that topic alone, and that was my point! No one likes everything. We all love Erikson here, but somewhere else, someone is probably tearing into him.
The point is - even the books that we all love can be picked apart if someone desires. Judging from the responses to my post I'd say we could have a whole other thread on that topic alone, and that was my point! No one likes everything. We all love Erikson here, but somewhere else, someone is probably tearing into him.
#56 Guest_Richard_*
Posted 02 December 2004 - 12:44 PM
@Izz: the second book is actually split into men's/women's chapters? 
@Fool:
@Fool:
#57 Guest_Dark Daze_*
Posted 14 December 2004 - 10:14 PM
A Few Reasons Wot is Addictive:
1) Elaborate descriptions and detailed information on topics ranging from the way magic works to the inner working of different organizations
2) The heros constantly increase in power and position
3) Excessive amount of magic and other fantastic elements such as dreamscapes and sentient wolves
4) The unusual relationship between men and women (As clumsy as the male/female relationships are in WOT, it's an effective technique to make readers crave for things to be normal)
5) The amount of prophesy and made up history that are interwoven into the story make WOT a very interactive series
8) Constant shifts in POV creates suspense and prevents boredom
9) Chase scenes are exciting
1) Elaborate descriptions and detailed information on topics ranging from the way magic works to the inner working of different organizations
2) The heros constantly increase in power and position
3) Excessive amount of magic and other fantastic elements such as dreamscapes and sentient wolves
4) The unusual relationship between men and women (As clumsy as the male/female relationships are in WOT, it's an effective technique to make readers crave for things to be normal)
5) The amount of prophesy and made up history that are interwoven into the story make WOT a very interactive series
8) Constant shifts in POV creates suspense and prevents boredom
9) Chase scenes are exciting
#58
RodeoRanch
- The Midnight Special
-
- Group: Administrators
- Posts: 5,811
- Joined: 01-January 03
- Location:Alberta, Canada
Posted 16 August 2004 - 03:30 PM
You felt ripped off? I paid money for the damn thing!
#59 Guest_Caldazar_*
Posted 09 June 2004 - 08:53 PM
Fizban you were not being rude or showing ignorance
.
I just find it funny how people seem to hate RJ so much and feel a need to always tell people every chance they get(not accusing you of that) especially the ones that gave up early in the piece.
.I just find it funny how people seem to hate RJ so much and feel a need to always tell people every chance they get(not accusing you of that) especially the ones that gave up early in the piece.
#60 Guest_FizbansTalking_Hat_*
Posted 10 June 2004 - 12:53 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Eleleth:
I've always noticed a certain tendancy of people to speak negatively of anything that becomes overly popular. Once it reaches a certain point, it becomes vogue to hate it rather than praise it.
Why? I don't think it's necesarily the old "Lonely at the top" thing; rather, it seems to be more of a self-aggrandizing gesture. After all, if I'm able to see the faults in what so many others enjoy, that must make me better than them, right?
As I said previously, I don't think Jordan is perfect, or even terribly good based on his recent works. But every fantasy author has their foibles. Honestly, Erikson manages to write every character as if they are a genius. Schemes inside schemes and insights to shame a Budhist monk, even from the lowest of soldiers. Yes, soldiers can be intelligent. But not all of them, not every single character. Every author has their faults like this, and once they get popular enough, it will become "vogue" to start pointing them out.
This has always been a pet peeve of mine. Let someothing become popular enough, and suddenly it's in style to trash it. Bleh. There's a simple truth here that shouldn't be to hard... 95% of the time, things become popular for a reason. Even the best marketing can't save a book if it's honestly nothing but trash.
You know, I'm probably guilty of this a little bit. I don't know why I get so upset when it comes to Jordan. Maybe it is cuz his books are like fantasy crack for some people, and it bothers me that they dominate so much of the fantasy section while numerous others are overlooked.
After having a nice chat with Mr. Salvatore today, which I was lucky enough to stumble upon in Shannara chat room. I think I owe an apology for the way I've always behaved towards Mr. Jordan. I forget that he's just an author trying to have fun, and he has contributed to the world of fantasy.
I shall no longer knock him for the sake of being "cool."
But I still dislike his work, its not for me. I don't think I'll be posting in this thread anymore. Cheers.
