Help
On re-reads i find DHG to be a less dramatic book although i enjoy the whole read more probably. The chain of dogs storyline was the major plotline and as i already knew what had happened it took some of the shine away and the awe of how they survived so long too. But its still a great book, just not in my opinion upto the standards of most of the rest of the series so far.
Impression on rereading DG
#22
Queen of Dreams 
- Recruit
-
- Group: Malaz Regular
- Posts: 6
- Joined: 29-December 06
Posted 11 January 2007 - 03:59 PM
I just finished reading DG for the first time. I read the books somewhat out of order and after taking months to get through GotM, I've gone through 3 in a couple weeks (read GotM over again). I wasn't so sure I was a fan of Erikson's writing after my first read of GotM but I'm really glad I kept going with the series. I think he's doing some brilliant writing with these books. One thing I especially love is how he can keep you, as a reader, aloof from a character and then suddenly bring you to tears, as you make a deep connection. I've had that happen to me a couple of times.
In this book, it was with Felisin and Baudin. I didn't care of Felisin at all - couldn't really get into her character, but when Baudin dies, suddenly I was aching for her. I "got" her, where she'd been coming from. Often in books when a character has armour around their personality, as a reader you see through it, you know why it exists, but I find that Erikson does a wonderful job of keeping you distant from some characters. I love that about his writing.
I also "loved" (that doesn't really seem to be the right word, considering the scene) the portrayal of Coltaine's final stand. OMG, it was brilliantly done. The futility of it, you can feel the heartbreak of soldiers watching, wanting desperately to do something but the steel will of their military obediance forbidding them. I wanted to reach in and stand with Coltaine as well. It's one of the best scenes I've ever read.
A friend of mine said he didn't like Erikson's writing because it's too bloody, too violent and he thinks that's all Erikson can do. Well, I challenge that for many reasons, especially if he read DG and somehow skipped the heartbreaking beauty of the friendship between Mappo and Icarium. Among many other things. Heh, we've been through a few arguments now but at least I got him to start re-reading the books.
In this book, it was with Felisin and Baudin. I didn't care of Felisin at all - couldn't really get into her character, but when Baudin dies, suddenly I was aching for her. I "got" her, where she'd been coming from. Often in books when a character has armour around their personality, as a reader you see through it, you know why it exists, but I find that Erikson does a wonderful job of keeping you distant from some characters. I love that about his writing.
I also "loved" (that doesn't really seem to be the right word, considering the scene) the portrayal of Coltaine's final stand. OMG, it was brilliantly done. The futility of it, you can feel the heartbreak of soldiers watching, wanting desperately to do something but the steel will of their military obediance forbidding them. I wanted to reach in and stand with Coltaine as well. It's one of the best scenes I've ever read.
A friend of mine said he didn't like Erikson's writing because it's too bloody, too violent and he thinks that's all Erikson can do. Well, I challenge that for many reasons, especially if he read DG and somehow skipped the heartbreaking beauty of the friendship between Mappo and Icarium. Among many other things. Heh, we've been through a few arguments now but at least I got him to start re-reading the books.
#23
Shurque's biatch
- High Fist
-
- Group: LHTEC
- Posts: 321
- Joined: 24-August 06
Posted 07 February 2007 - 10:00 PM
Queen of Dreams;150388 said:
I just finished reading DG for the first time. I read the books somewhat out of order and after taking months to get through GotM, I've gone through 3 in a couple weeks (read GotM over again). I wasn't so sure I was a fan of Erikson's writing after my first read of GotM but I'm really glad I kept going with the series. I think he's doing some brilliant writing with these books. One thing I especially love is how he can keep you, as a reader, aloof from a character and then suddenly bring you to tears, as you make a deep connection. I've had that happen to me a couple of times.
In this book, it was with Felisin and Baudin. I didn't care of Felisin at all - couldn't really get into her character, but when Baudin dies, suddenly I was aching for her. I "got" her, where she'd been coming from. Often in books when a character has armour around their personality, as a reader you see through it, you know why it exists, but I find that Erikson does a wonderful job of keeping you distant from some characters. I love that about his writing.
I also "loved" (that doesn't really seem to be the right word, considering the scene) the portrayal of Coltaine's final stand. OMG, it was brilliantly done. The futility of it, you can feel the heartbreak of soldiers watching, wanting desperately to do something but the steel will of their military obediance forbidding them. I wanted to reach in and stand with Coltaine as well. It's one of the best scenes I've ever read.
A friend of mine said he didn't like Erikson's writing because it's too bloody, too violent and he thinks that's all Erikson can do. Well, I challenge that for many reasons, especially if he read DG and somehow skipped the heartbreaking beauty of the friendship between Mappo and Icarium. Among many other things. Heh, we've been through a few arguments now but at least I got him to start re-reading the books.
In this book, it was with Felisin and Baudin. I didn't care of Felisin at all - couldn't really get into her character, but when Baudin dies, suddenly I was aching for her. I "got" her, where she'd been coming from. Often in books when a character has armour around their personality, as a reader you see through it, you know why it exists, but I find that Erikson does a wonderful job of keeping you distant from some characters. I love that about his writing.
I also "loved" (that doesn't really seem to be the right word, considering the scene) the portrayal of Coltaine's final stand. OMG, it was brilliantly done. The futility of it, you can feel the heartbreak of soldiers watching, wanting desperately to do something but the steel will of their military obediance forbidding them. I wanted to reach in and stand with Coltaine as well. It's one of the best scenes I've ever read.
A friend of mine said he didn't like Erikson's writing because it's too bloody, too violent and he thinks that's all Erikson can do. Well, I challenge that for many reasons, especially if he read DG and somehow skipped the heartbreaking beauty of the friendship between Mappo and Icarium. Among many other things. Heh, we've been through a few arguments now but at least I got him to start re-reading the books.
The interesting thing for me about my second read through DG is that I enjoyed it MUCH more. For some reason my impression the first time was that it was primarily a military book, mostly bloody and all like your friend thought. But this time I was amazed at the amount of forshadowing and other plot elements that are rife.
My favorite part of the whole series is the promotion of the sappers by Coltaine. How does it get any better than that?
"Piss on Hood!" ~Roach
