No, it doesn't. That will either justify or further condemn the wait. - Edit 2
Before modification by Werthead at 13/12/2009 08:56:16 PM
If the book sucks, it can be said that the extra writing time was not ultimately a good idea. Elements of this are already in place with AFFC not being as strong in the story/character sense as the first three books, despite taking longer to come out (although not massively longer to write).
So that is part of the discussion. If ADWD sucks then the critics of the long writing/rewriting approach can claim justification (especially since ASoS, widely regarded as the best book, took the shortest time to write) that this approach is not the best one. Same if REPUBLIC OF THIEVES and THE WISE MAN'S FEAR are also not up to par.
That proves my point. Jordan should have dumped CoT, rewritten it as the opening of KoD (as it appears it should have been), and strengthened the overall quality of the series. He chose not to do so, damaging the overall quality and reputation of the series significantly.
Similarly, if Martin had released ADWD in 2006/07 as originally planned, and the book was in as bad a state as it now appears it was, ASoIaF's overall quality and reputation would also be significantly damaged, far moreso than due to the delay of the book.
So that is part of the discussion. If ADWD sucks then the critics of the long writing/rewriting approach can claim justification (especially since ASoS, widely regarded as the best book, took the shortest time to write) that this approach is not the best one. Same if REPUBLIC OF THIEVES and THE WISE MAN'S FEAR are also not up to par.
And since Knife of Dreams was quite good, I think your point about Crossroads of Twilight isn't very strong.
That proves my point. Jordan should have dumped CoT, rewritten it as the opening of KoD (as it appears it should have been), and strengthened the overall quality of the series. He chose not to do so, damaging the overall quality and reputation of the series significantly.
Similarly, if Martin had released ADWD in 2006/07 as originally planned, and the book was in as bad a state as it now appears it was, ASoIaF's overall quality and reputation would also be significantly damaged, far moreso than due to the delay of the book.