Erikson has claimed Martin as an influence in some of his approach, but more in opening the door to certain types of characterization in the treatment of one's characters. In the same way, Bakker has claimed both Martin and Erikson as influences/ground breakers for they direction of fantasy in terms of style, approach, and tone.
As for Jordan, he developed one of the more entertaining fantasy series of the last 40 years. However, his characterizations are most often 'wafer thin' and extremely stereotypical of the genre. The setting is typical fantasy scape. I can quote dozens of fantasy worlds that have near identical set up, history, political situations. Sure, the details differ, but the underpinning themes and style is the same.
I don't understand why people try to make Jordan into a Master writer of some supreme Literature. He wrote a dang fine entertaining blockbuster... it's equivalent to a great popcorn flick. Enjoy it for what it is. Don't try to stretch it into what it isn't.
As for Jordan, he developed one of the more entertaining fantasy series of the last 40 years. However, his characterizations are most often 'wafer thin' and extremely stereotypical of the genre. The setting is typical fantasy scape. I can quote dozens of fantasy worlds that have near identical set up, history, political situations. Sure, the details differ, but the underpinning themes and style is the same.
I don't understand why people try to make Jordan into a Master writer of some supreme Literature. He wrote a dang fine entertaining blockbuster... it's equivalent to a great popcorn flick. Enjoy it for what it is. Don't try to stretch it into what it isn't.
Farah Mendlesohn and Edward James on RJ, Goodkind, and Martin
- 07/12/2009 02:48:45 AM
1548 Views
Pretty sure Nynaeve did not have red hair. Also pretty sure she wasn't a priestess.
- 07/12/2009 02:54:23 AM
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I think it was a tongue-in-cheek reference to an archetype, but yes, there are some errors here 
- 07/12/2009 02:56:00 AM
633 Views
- 07/12/2009 02:56:00 AM
633 Views
Re: Farah Mendlesohn and Edward James on RJ, Goodkind, and Martin
- 07/12/2009 04:38:07 AM
702 Views
Overall, a valid assessment.
- 07/12/2009 02:07:47 PM
666 Views
Nynaeve doesn't have red hair! She has brown hair!
- 07/12/2009 09:29:07 PM
664 Views
She's not a priestess, either. Other than "red-haired priestess" the rest was 100% valid.
- 08/12/2009 12:39:07 AM
657 Views
I mentioned her not being a priestess in my earlier post. 
- 09/12/2009 03:23:12 AM
635 Views
- 09/12/2009 03:23:12 AM
635 Views
Don't you think that, if that were corrected, the entries would be pretty much valid?
- 09/12/2009 09:12:55 PM
618 Views
Agree for the most part. When does the book officially come out?
- 08/12/2009 07:51:39 PM
768 Views
Book's been out since the summer, in the UK anyways
- 09/12/2009 02:33:05 AM
634 Views
Point taken. Despite not being the target audience, I'd still like to take a look at it.
- 09/12/2009 10:04:38 PM
605 Views
Erikson is like Martin? That's ridiculous!
- 09/12/2009 01:43:18 AM
851 Views
Influenced isn't the same as 'like'.
- 21/12/2009 06:04:53 PM
657 Views
So, you're right because you're right? 
- 28/12/2009 03:25:33 AM
667 Views
- 28/12/2009 03:25:33 AM
667 Views
Only because I'm willing to be honest even about things that I enjoy. *NM*
- 07/01/2010 06:00:02 PM
255 Views
I think fionwe has a point - it's not some kind of literature/non-literature divide.
- 08/01/2010 08:37:31 PM
576 Views
Actually, aSoIaF has one of the more accurate depictions of feudalism in modern fantasy. *NM*
- 08/01/2010 07:33:22 PM
264 Views