Robert Jordan is (was) a joke

[delirium]

I had similar thoughts about the Wheel of Time series. I got through the first two rather amused. I was too bored to continue can't follow 700 page epics where nothing memorable happens.

Song of Fire and Ice was really good though. I thought I had given up on epic fantasy novels because these authors just don't know how to pace and move along a plot.

Have to say never got into Death Gate Cycle. I tried reading the first book, but the writing put me off, it read extremely unoriginal.

 

[countrygent]

Have to agree that Jordan's prose (may he R.I.P.) never quite matched up to the grandeur of his vision. I made it to book 5 or so and was beginning to lose the thread of all of the different sub-plots he had set in motion, in addition to getting bored with his writing. I could never understand why my friends loved his stuff - Ursula LeGuin says more in a paragraph than Jordan says in a whole chapter.

I understand why people find Tolkien dull - he is a bit long-winded in his descriptions, but the depth and breadth of his creation and the lyricism of some of the writing is astonishing. Comparing him to Terry Brooks is unconscionable though!

I think The Hobbit is the best example of his work, as it highlights the best point of his writing - sheer story-telling ability - and includes his sense of humour, within a concise and elegant framework.

Elric is definitely punk fantasy - I haven't looked at those books in years. Dragonlance was lots of fun when I was 15 but doesn't seem to have aged very well.

Anyone read Lord Dunsany?

 

[ArteEtLabore14]

Originally Posted by countrygent

Have to agree that Jordan's prose (may he R.I.P.) never quite matched up to the grandeur of his vision. I made it to book 5 or so and was beginning to lose the thread of all of the different sub-plots he had set in motion, in addition to getting bored with his writing. I could never understand why my friends loved his stuff - Ursula LeGuin says more in a paragraph than Jordan says in a whole chapter.

I understand why people find Tolkien dull - he is a bit long-winded in his descriptions, but the depth and breadth of his creation and the lyricism of some of the writing is astonishing. Comparing him to Terry Brooks is unconscionable though!

I think The Hobbit is the best example of his work, as it highlights the best point of his writing - sheer story-telling ability - and includes his sense of humour, within a concise and elegant framework.

Elric is definitely punk fantasy - I haven't looked at those books in years. Dragonlance was lots of fun when I was 15 but doesn't seem to have aged very well.

Anyone read Lord Dunsany?
Totally agree with the bolded statement.

 

[Pennglock]

Originally Posted by ArteEtLabore14

I'm getting sick of waiting for A Dance With Dragons as well, but there's nothing he could do/not do that will stop me from salivating in anticipation of its release. A Song of Ice and Fire is one of, if not the best fantasy series of my generation.

I hope he redeems himself with his next one- the fourth book was shite! The HBO series is a go, though, and has the potential to be better than the books in the right hands.

 

[Tangfastic]

Originally Posted by countrygent

Anyone read Lord Dunsany?
I've read the King of Elf-Land's Daughter which has a similar affected otherworldy tone to that of Morris, more interesting than exciting and engaging as the best fantasy is. Tolkien is fairly succesful in generating an authentically epic tone softened with a lot of wit and charm. I re-read the LOTR for the first time in about 15 years this winter and was surprised at how enjoyable and readable it was still.

 

[otc]

Song of Ice and Fire > Wheel of Time

Unfortunately I'm running out of patience waiting for the next book (rumored for Summer 2011). Apparently Martin was halfway through it when his editor noticed a major continuity error that forced him to start over.

This comment has not aged well. I mean, I guess Summer 2011 was right, but did you ever think the next one would take over a decade?