Re: My mostly spoiler-free review of the book (mixed-to-negative, for those who care)
Insomdeon Send a noteboard - 21/11/2010 09:03:48 AM
I agree that there were major structural and chronological problems with ToM, and that AMoL as a whole would've been better as a two-volume set even if it had taken longer to come out. But, I don't perceive their current structure as being deal-breakers as others seem to view them.
I was excited to read this book when I first picked it up, and it kept me excited all the way through. I enjoyed seeing some of the many plot lines come together, and the rush of events as time ticked away for the Last Battle. Many scenes had me laughing, sheering, or gasping... I don't remember the last time I was so genuinely affected emotionally as with this book. For me, that's what matters despite its admittedly serious technical flaws.
More abstractly, how can anyone expect somebody that's not RJ to step into RJ's shoes for what would've been the masterpiece of his writing career showcasing events he'd had in mind for the better part of three decades? ToM is the middle of AMoL, which as I recall was the portion least written before RJ died. Would it have been better if WoT was never finished at all? I think Brandon was as good a choice as any to get such a herculean task accomplished, and probably better than most.
I was excited to read this book when I first picked it up, and it kept me excited all the way through. I enjoyed seeing some of the many plot lines come together, and the rush of events as time ticked away for the Last Battle. Many scenes had me laughing, sheering, or gasping... I don't remember the last time I was so genuinely affected emotionally as with this book. For me, that's what matters despite its admittedly serious technical flaws.
More abstractly, how can anyone expect somebody that's not RJ to step into RJ's shoes for what would've been the masterpiece of his writing career showcasing events he'd had in mind for the better part of three decades? ToM is the middle of AMoL, which as I recall was the portion least written before RJ died. Would it have been better if WoT was never finished at all? I think Brandon was as good a choice as any to get such a herculean task accomplished, and probably better than most.
I do agree that BS has finished it better than most people would have.
Many people are not professional writers. His attempt is almost certainly better than any or theirs would have been. Likewise, the non English speakers in the world.
As it stands, it reads like a piece of fan fiction. Enthusiastic, yes; coherent, almost. The general lack of polish in areas such as spelling, continuity of language, timeline management lets this book down big time.
"I think I got the black lung Pop" - Derek Zoolander
My mostly spoiler-free review of the book (mixed-to-negative, for those who care)
05/11/2010 03:21:42 PM
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Eh, eh... more positive than me, it's unexpected
05/11/2010 08:38:59 PM
- 4725 Views
I agree with most of the points you both make, but blame Jordan himself far, far more.
06/11/2010 12:17:38 AM
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My opinion of Jordan's success with the late series differs...
06/11/2010 03:05:50 AM
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For someone so vehement about the differences between B-Sand and KJA, you reference KA a lot.
06/11/2010 02:32:33 PM
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Re: My mostly spoiler-free review of the book (mixed-to-negative, for those who care)
05/11/2010 10:46:23 PM
- 1155 Views
Agreed. Lord of Chaos was the last truly exciting book in the series. *NM*
06/11/2010 12:18:13 AM
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I thought WH had moments of greatness too *NM*
06/11/2010 01:53:52 AM
- 461 Views
WH had moment of greatness. *NM*
06/11/2010 03:41:27 AM
- 487 Views
Yes. One moment. The Cleansing. Which the next book reflected on continuously.
06/11/2010 05:23:40 AM
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Re: Yes. One moment. The Cleansing. Which the next book reflected on continuously.
06/11/2010 06:34:37 AM
- 954 Views
Re: Yes. One moment. The Cleansing. Which the next book reflected on continuously.
06/11/2010 08:59:07 AM
- 1132 Views
Re: My mostly spoiler-free review of the book (mixed-to-negative, for those who care)
05/11/2010 11:51:48 PM
- 1455 Views
Re: My mostly spoiler-free review of the book (mixed-to-negative, for those who care)
21/11/2010 09:03:48 AM
- 920 Views
Re: My mostly spoiler-free review of the book (mixed-to-negative, for those who care)
06/11/2010 05:02:37 PM
- 1036 Views