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I believe the last due date I heard of for "a Feast for Crows" (book 4) is somewhere in april 2003. Luckily Erikson writes a lot faster.
George RR Martin
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#382
Malarion 
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Posted 20 March 2004 - 07:38 PM
He's undoubtedly a great writer. Its due to this that our frustrations grow ever more.
If Erikson (Martin's equal, if you ask me) can write so quickly and so well, then I wonder where his difficulties grow. Still, I agree. I 'd rather he got the book right than on time.
Quite simply, a grumpy old man.
If Erikson (Martin's equal, if you ask me) can write so quickly and so well, then I wonder where his difficulties grow. Still, I agree. I 'd rather he got the book right than on time.
Quite simply, a grumpy old man.
Grumpy is only my middle name.
#383 Guest_Coco_*
Posted 25 June 2003 - 07:42 AM
Its strange, but I have something of a theory regarding GRRM that I would like to share with everyone, it's been kicking around my subconscious now for some time, and the fact that Amazon.co.uk have the listed release dates for the fourth and fifth books as February 2004 and April 2004 respectively appears to confirm it in some way.
We know that originally the fourth book was going to be "a Dance with Dragons", set a few years after the events of the first three books. Now he is writing "Feast for Crows" as book 4 to cover the intervening years.
My idea is that he has already written the fifth book in the series, and the reason book 4 is taking so long is thus partly due to editing constrictions (e.g. making sure all the stories work out properly) and removing unnecessary segments (perhaps some 'flashbacks' in Dance with Dragons that aren't needed anymore.)
Perhaps old GRRM is going to release the fourth and fifth books that closely together because he's already written them.
Anyway, that's what my idea amounts to - the delay is due to editing out differences, and once it is done we'll be treated to two books in the space of a few months.
fingers crossed, anyways.
"the solution to all of life's problem's lie in the bottom of a bottle. I just haven't found the right bottle yet."
We know that originally the fourth book was going to be "a Dance with Dragons", set a few years after the events of the first three books. Now he is writing "Feast for Crows" as book 4 to cover the intervening years.
My idea is that he has already written the fifth book in the series, and the reason book 4 is taking so long is thus partly due to editing constrictions (e.g. making sure all the stories work out properly) and removing unnecessary segments (perhaps some 'flashbacks' in Dance with Dragons that aren't needed anymore.)
Perhaps old GRRM is going to release the fourth and fifth books that closely together because he's already written them.
Anyway, that's what my idea amounts to - the delay is due to editing out differences, and once it is done we'll be treated to two books in the space of a few months.
fingers crossed, anyways.
"the solution to all of life's problem's lie in the bottom of a bottle. I just haven't found the right bottle yet."
#384
Skinner
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Posted 12 July 2003 - 03:28 AM
Ditto on GRRM.
Alot of people here seem to agree on that.
Haven't tried Mieville yet - who sounds interesting from the book review forum.
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My whole life is an interruption of my death (Mark Levy)
Alot of people here seem to agree on that.
Haven't tried Mieville yet - who sounds interesting from the book review forum.
____________________________
My whole life is an interruption of my death (Mark Levy)
#385
RodeoRanch
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Posted 20 March 2004 - 09:24 PM
Maybe he spends too much time eating instead of writing? He is a rather portly fella! 
"Curing sobriety, one beer at a time!"
"Curing sobriety, one beer at a time!"
#386 Guest_Riot_*
Posted 04 April 2003 - 06:12 AM
I havent read GRRM yet. How good is it? Up to par with SE? How complex are his books?
Geez, im full of questions tonight.....
Loveable hound of shadow - just don't pat me....grrrr
Geez, im full of questions tonight.....
Loveable hound of shadow - just don't pat me....grrrr
#387 Guest_allwilldie_*
Posted 18 February 2004 - 04:14 PM
Won't it be incredibly annoying if, after all this time, the book was rubbish...
Just finished: Aross the Nightingale Floor, Lian Hearn 5/10
Just finished: Aross the Nightingale Floor, Lian Hearn 5/10
#388
Malarion
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Posted 08 July 2003 - 03:48 PM
I've actually enjoyed Eriksons characters more than Martins, although I firmly believe Martins world is far better realised. Excluding Jon Snow and Tyrion, none of the main characters held my attention overly much. Its the realisation of his mythology, history, politics etc. that gripped me most. No one has created a grander picture of a fully functioning fantasy world.
Still, it doesn't have Rake, so we'll call it honours even.
Regardless, they are two very contrasting styles of fantasy. Erikson fall more into the Tolkien style of mythology, whereas Martin is everything Jordan tried to be. I am happy they both found the time to write.
King of High House Death. 
Still, it doesn't have Rake, so we'll call it honours even.
Regardless, they are two very contrasting styles of fantasy. Erikson fall more into the Tolkien style of mythology, whereas Martin is everything Jordan tried to be. I am happy they both found the time to write.
King of High House Death.
Grumpy is only my middle name.
#389 Guest_Pale Remnants_*
Posted 01 March 2003 - 05:23 PM
Ah..What the hell, if i was in GRRMs position, i'd fleece the buggers for all i could get...and why not , if they're stupid and rich enough to buy...and i am.Well done GRRM.
The Green Man has returned as the living face of the whole earth .
The Green Man has returned as the living face of the whole earth .
#390
Malarion
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Posted 26 February 2003 - 05:35 PM
DeVore, good comic reply. 
In reply to the Tolkien comments - I feel that Tolkien himself may have been kidding himself a little. Surely it is impossible to write a book of that size without placing in it some of your priciples and beliefs? If he hadn't the book would have bombed a long time ago.
This debate between Erikson and Martin is also a little pointless. They both have different styles and different types of worlds. I personally love both and am glad they write so differently.
A good debate, though. Please, more of this and less idle conversation. Some of us have brains that need exercise (since our work does so little for them).
In reply to the Tolkien comments - I feel that Tolkien himself may have been kidding himself a little. Surely it is impossible to write a book of that size without placing in it some of your priciples and beliefs? If he hadn't the book would have bombed a long time ago.
This debate between Erikson and Martin is also a little pointless. They both have different styles and different types of worlds. I personally love both and am glad they write so differently.
A good debate, though. Please, more of this and less idle conversation. Some of us have brains that need exercise (since our work does so little for them).
Grumpy is only my middle name.
#391 Guest__*
Posted 26 November 2002 - 12:29 AM
I really hope that this next book is worth the wait, I can barely remember the story so far and I don't have the time to reread the series at the moment.
#392
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Posted 19 March 2004 - 10:18 AM
I judge the two series (ASOIAF and WOT) by the books that are out now. The three ASOIAF books have been of real quality. The first WoT book was distinctly average, and the series has gone downhill rapidly since then. I haven't even bothered to read Crossroads of Twilight. The recent books have had minimal plot progression at best.
From the dictionary:
Per-fec-tion: -noun- an exemplification of supreme excellence b : an unsurpassable degree of accuracy or excellence (see also: Lord Baelish)
From the dictionary:
Per-fec-tion: -noun- an exemplification of supreme excellence b : an unsurpassable degree of accuracy or excellence (see also: Lord Baelish)
Avoid being seen as racist by saying, "I'm not a racist, but ..." prior to making a racist comment.
#393
caladanbrood
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Posted 25 June 2003 - 08:17 AM
@voland
ah, good, that makes sense. i though it may have been abit better publsised when book 5 is released
thats ok then
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ah, good, that makes sense. i though it may have been abit better publsised when book 5 is released
thats ok then
*************
Molon Labe "Come and get them" - Leonidas
Unaligned - Obelisk - Friend of Asterisk.
O xein', angellein Lakedaimoniois hoti têde; keimetha tois keinon rhémasi peithomenoi.
#394 Guest_Medium-Paced Ben_*
Posted 12 July 2003 - 01:50 AM
They are indeed very good, and I am one of the ones who prefers them to Erikson, though they are really too different to Erikson to compare.
Anyway, I hope you enjoy. Happy reading.
Anyway, I hope you enjoy. Happy reading.
#395 Guest__*
Posted 01 December 2002 - 06:33 AM
When i say main characters i was refuring to Jon, Sansa and...errrr, damn, can't remember the name of him, Bran! that was it, they are, if you ask me the three main ones. Er wait, there's also Arya, that makes Four. Four main chars.
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Walking in your shadow.
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Walking in your shadow.
#396 Guest_Blinky_*
Posted 18 May 2003 - 06:24 AM
Hey, reading Storm of Swords, Jaime's chapter
Jaime: "And Tyrion, who loved him for a lie"
Should i know what he's talking about?
about 1/3 through the story.
thanks,
blinky
Jaime: "And Tyrion, who loved him for a lie"
Should i know what he's talking about?
about 1/3 through the story.
thanks,
blinky
#397 Guest_Medium-Paced Ben_*
Posted 12 July 2003 - 07:47 PM
The Hedge Knight is a great story, really good.
BTW FRRG, Martin's writing a second Dunk and Egg novella for Legends 2, its called The Sworn Sword. I can't wait.
BTW FRRG, Martin's writing a second Dunk and Egg novella for Legends 2, its called The Sworn Sword. I can't wait.
#398 Guest_Varys_*
Posted 26 February 2003 - 12:28 AM
Thanks, Kyptonite.
I would say that I find Lord Of The Rings to be a superior work of literature than MBOTF and ASOIAF, Of course it doesn't have the deep characters or entralling action, but this was never Tolkien's intent.
He set out to create a myth; a timeless story that would exist throughout the ages, and he's 100% succeeded. Will people still read Martin or Erikson in 60 years? As much as I would like to say yes, I can't say that with certainty. But I can say that Tolkien will be still be read, and no less popular. Of course popularity is no indicater of quality, however for a book to remain consistently popular since its boom in the 60s is phenomonal, not least because of the archaic and distant tone compared with more modern "easy" reads.
I think especially these days when fantasy books are averaging 800+ pages it's easy to forget the art of dense writing. Basically, anyone can write a long story and make it good, but to write a short story and make it great takes something more. That isn't to slight Martin and Erikson; the large books are necessary and I don't fault them for it.
However, I still have enormous respect for someone that can not only introduce a world, show all its races, most of its countries, have huge battles, savage treachery, and give us an ending not in the least anti climatic and fully resolved in just over 1000 pages, plus appendices. That really does take talent.
The simple vastness behind his vision still astounds me. So much is left at the end of Lord Of The Rings and is unexplained. Just where did they go at the end, for example? I believe in the Council of Elrond, Elrond says something like "If all the heroes of the ages, Beren, Hurin, Turin, Feanor were here I would place you next to them" or something. When I first read that the names went straight over my head but after reading the Silmarillion and rereading it I just gaped. The man's dedictaion to his vision is incredible. So much untold history behind those names, so much tragic heroism, and he never meant us to find out either. Authors with that type of artistic integrity only come along once in a generation, maybe less.
As a great work of literature should, it is also laced with metaphor and meaning. Tolkien wrote, and the reader interprets over and over again. Be it agricultural conservatism versus industrial progression, the catholic struggle between good and evil, the fight within oursleves and our struggles to destroy our demons, the allies versus the Nazis, etc. I can't really find any meaning within Martin and Erikson but again this is not in itself a bad thing. They are just what they are - Entertaining and a damned good read.
So yeah, I would say that although Erikson and Martin have both entertained me and kept me turning the pages far more than Tolkien has, I still consider Lord Of The Rings to be the surperior work.
The road to heaven is paved with bad intentions.
I would say that I find Lord Of The Rings to be a superior work of literature than MBOTF and ASOIAF, Of course it doesn't have the deep characters or entralling action, but this was never Tolkien's intent.
He set out to create a myth; a timeless story that would exist throughout the ages, and he's 100% succeeded. Will people still read Martin or Erikson in 60 years? As much as I would like to say yes, I can't say that with certainty. But I can say that Tolkien will be still be read, and no less popular. Of course popularity is no indicater of quality, however for a book to remain consistently popular since its boom in the 60s is phenomonal, not least because of the archaic and distant tone compared with more modern "easy" reads.
I think especially these days when fantasy books are averaging 800+ pages it's easy to forget the art of dense writing. Basically, anyone can write a long story and make it good, but to write a short story and make it great takes something more. That isn't to slight Martin and Erikson; the large books are necessary and I don't fault them for it.
However, I still have enormous respect for someone that can not only introduce a world, show all its races, most of its countries, have huge battles, savage treachery, and give us an ending not in the least anti climatic and fully resolved in just over 1000 pages, plus appendices. That really does take talent.
The simple vastness behind his vision still astounds me. So much is left at the end of Lord Of The Rings and is unexplained. Just where did they go at the end, for example? I believe in the Council of Elrond, Elrond says something like "If all the heroes of the ages, Beren, Hurin, Turin, Feanor were here I would place you next to them" or something. When I first read that the names went straight over my head but after reading the Silmarillion and rereading it I just gaped. The man's dedictaion to his vision is incredible. So much untold history behind those names, so much tragic heroism, and he never meant us to find out either. Authors with that type of artistic integrity only come along once in a generation, maybe less.
As a great work of literature should, it is also laced with metaphor and meaning. Tolkien wrote, and the reader interprets over and over again. Be it agricultural conservatism versus industrial progression, the catholic struggle between good and evil, the fight within oursleves and our struggles to destroy our demons, the allies versus the Nazis, etc. I can't really find any meaning within Martin and Erikson but again this is not in itself a bad thing. They are just what they are - Entertaining and a damned good read.
So yeah, I would say that although Erikson and Martin have both entertained me and kept me turning the pages far more than Tolkien has, I still consider Lord Of The Rings to be the surperior work.
The road to heaven is paved with bad intentions.
#399 Guest_Jon_Snow_*
Posted 08 July 2003 - 03:40 PM
Ben, you nailed it. I've read an embarrassing amount of fantasy over the years, and I can state with confindence that nobody has ever written fantasy characters as well as GRRM. Sometimes when re-reading ASoIaF I feel as though I know Tyrion and Jon Snow better than many of my real-life friends... amazing stuff.
Winter is Coming...
Winter is Coming...
#400 Guest_Pale Remnants_*
Posted 04 December 2002 - 03:14 PM
You're one lucky boy if you own a copy of "Legends". Its worth a small fortune.
I know several hints have been dropped in the SOIAF to the content of the "Hedge Knight" .i.e on the importance of the jousting tournament at the "Freys". Can you give me a precis of the storyline. A couple of sentences will do.
I know several hints have been dropped in the SOIAF to the content of the "Hedge Knight" .i.e on the importance of the jousting tournament at the "Freys". Can you give me a precis of the storyline. A couple of sentences will do.
