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I can take a shot at that, since nobody else seems willing to. Ghavrel Send a noteboard - 22/02/2011 07:29:20 AM
Jordan provides an entertaining read, most of the time. His world is detailed and thickly populated. He has interesting ideas. The villains are properly creepy; the heroes are properly heroic. So if your metric is the "summer read" metric, then Jordan is just fine as an author.

But Jordan's writing is lacking in several areas. There's no thematic content to speak of; Rand's temptation in later books is about as allegorical as WoT gets. There's no real message contained within the series--nothing that makes you actually examine something of significance, nothing that makes you sit back and think (besides convoluted theories about what will happen next; I'm not talking about suspense). And the prose itself is nothing special.

Contrast this with Gene Wolfe's BOOK OF THE NEW SUN series, an incredible work that forces to reader to wonder what the self means, what memory means, and how we confront ourselves and our memories. In his words,

"By the use of the language of sorrow I had for the time being obliterated my sorrow - so powerful is the charm of words, which for us reduces to manageable entities all the passions that would otherwise madden and destroy us."

and

"It is said that it is the peculiar quality of time to conserve fact, and that it does so by rendering our past falsehoods true."

I doubt you could find equally meaningful sentences in the entire corpus of Jordan, to be frank. And I just snatched those out of the Quote of the Moment.

And that is only talking about science fiction and fantasy. There is a vast world of literature out there, a world populated by figures like Keats, Shakespeare, Dostoevsky, Eco, Vergil, Chaucer, Faulkner, Hemingway, Steinbeck, Nabokov, Camus, Kafka... the list is endless. It's not even a fair comparison in these cases, of course; these are the true greats of writing.

But it does mean that Jordan, as authors go, is not a particularly good author.

We have a Books board here where people discuss authors who they think are particularly good; why don't you check it out if you're interested in expanding your horizons?
"We feel safe when we read what we recognise, what does not challenge our way of thinking.... a steady acceptance of pre-arranged patterns leads to the inability to question what we are told."
~Camilla

Ghavrel is Ghavrel is Ghavrel

*MySmiley*

This message last edited by Ghavrel on 22/02/2011 at 07:31:46 AM
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Can someone explain to me how Jordan is not a particularly good writer? - 21/02/2011 05:41:31 PM 3289 Views
I personally see it as more of RJ being a fantastic story teller, but not a well structured writer. - 21/02/2011 06:44:21 PM 1675 Views
Re: I personally see it as more of RJ being a fantastic story teller, but not a well structured - 22/02/2011 10:59:25 PM 1296 Views
What do you think about the Southern Gothic authors? - 23/02/2011 08:08:26 AM 1181 Views
Re: What do you think about the Southern Gothic authors? - 23/02/2011 10:51:57 AM 1268 Views
Oh, it really depends. - 23/02/2011 05:39:07 PM 1008 Views
thanks, I'll have a look *NM* - 23/02/2011 05:40:50 PM 808 Views
For the same reason that most people think they have above average intelligence. - 21/02/2011 11:13:34 PM 1636 Views
Thank you. - 21/02/2011 11:43:08 PM 1380 Views
Well Said! - 22/02/2011 02:42:22 PM 1296 Views
I can take a shot at that, since nobody else seems willing to. - 22/02/2011 07:29:20 AM 1701 Views
Do you enjoy reading Robert Jordan's ... - 22/02/2011 04:31:28 PM 1367 Views
Not particularly. - 22/02/2011 10:22:00 PM 1491 Views
Agreed. - 22/02/2011 10:37:08 PM 1246 Views
As far as I'm concerned, the only way to gauge whether an author is good or not is ... - 22/02/2011 03:58:17 PM 1226 Views
Amen *NM* - 22/02/2011 04:32:50 PM 797 Views
Re: Can someone explain to me how Jordan is not a particularly good writer? - 22/02/2011 06:27:11 PM 2088 Views
Brain overload! This is really well thought out. - 23/02/2011 10:22:37 PM 1275 Views
thank you for the insight into the outside view lol - 24/02/2011 04:34:57 PM 1333 Views
I think DomA answered the question best, but the "do you like it" argument is weak. - 22/02/2011 10:32:51 PM 1467 Views
Re: I think DomA answered the question best, but the "do you like it" argument is weak. - 22/02/2011 11:16:24 PM 1411 Views
The Necronomicon isn't actually a book, you know. *NM* - 22/02/2011 11:28:29 PM 714 Views
There are nine, actually... - 23/02/2011 12:04:55 AM 1472 Views
I hope I am misunderstanding you. - 23/02/2011 10:57:47 PM 1159 Views
Re: I hope I am misunderstanding you. - 24/02/2011 10:41:09 AM 1289 Views
If the core of the story is all that matters, why read a book - 24/02/2011 10:32:01 PM 1251 Views
Re: If the core of the story is all that matters, why read a book - 24/02/2011 11:23:42 PM 1086 Views
So wait, style is good? - 25/02/2011 12:32:07 AM 1480 Views
Re: So wait, style is good? - 25/02/2011 08:53:55 AM 1133 Views
I'm not trolling - 25/02/2011 11:57:18 PM 1156 Views
That depends... - 23/02/2011 03:00:35 AM 1380 Views
the "do you like it" is the most important criterion - 23/02/2011 10:45:17 PM 1241 Views
Re: the "do you like it" is the most important criterion - 24/02/2011 01:53:59 AM 1233 Views
Thumbs up - IMHO, all discussion can end here - 28/02/2011 05:45:34 PM 1365 Views
Not for quality of writing. - 24/02/2011 05:17:52 PM 1187 Views
Those who can do, the rest are critics. *NM* - 24/02/2011 07:55:50 PM 769 Views
I object, sir! People don't read WoT for the way it's told? - 24/02/2011 12:58:58 AM 1300 Views
If you don't mind me asking... - 24/02/2011 01:05:12 AM 1058 Views
Re: If you don't mind me asking... - 24/02/2011 02:19:17 AM 1185 Views
I still don't get it. - 24/02/2011 08:27:50 AM 1083 Views
Re: If you don't mind me asking... - 24/02/2011 11:29:14 PM 1128 Views
I don't mind that you ask, but I'm not going to engage in a defense of literature. - 24/02/2011 05:35:27 PM 1077 Views
Re: I don't mind that you ask, but I'm not going to engage in a defense of literature. - 24/02/2011 11:26:55 PM 1231 Views
I'm sure you have a wonderful job awaiting in fast food service. - 25/02/2011 01:57:15 AM 1280 Views
Re: I'm sure you have a wonderful job awaiting in fast food service. - 25/02/2011 08:56:06 AM 1182 Views
Jack @$$ snobbery at its best. WOW *NM* - 28/02/2011 05:48:43 PM 805 Views
... - 25/02/2011 01:07:22 AM 1138 Views
Maybe you should have used better prose? - 25/02/2011 01:23:17 AM 978 Views
It is not a serious question. - 25/02/2011 01:53:59 AM 1121 Views
How so? - 25/02/2011 02:59:05 AM 1258 Views
I have every right to use that tone. - 25/02/2011 03:08:14 PM 1210 Views
Is that so? - 25/02/2011 05:58:31 AM 1206 Views
I'm not fixated with Jordan. - 25/02/2011 03:13:56 PM 1222 Views
Then why do you keep trying to qualify the passage in relation to him? - 25/02/2011 06:29:31 PM 1267 Views
You're conflating two things. - 25/02/2011 07:32:59 PM 1242 Views
All right, now we're getting somewhere. - 26/02/2011 12:40:57 AM 1169 Views
you raise very good questions... *NM* - 26/02/2011 09:21:13 AM 709 Views
Okay, here you go. I am giving you the benefit of the doubt as to your sincerity. - 26/02/2011 03:20:44 PM 989 Views
Thank you, and I agree with all your explanations. *NM* - 26/02/2011 07:28:09 PM 726 Views
Glad to hear that. - 27/02/2011 03:42:33 AM 1074 Views
No problem, these things happen on the internet. *NM* - 27/02/2011 04:36:57 AM 781 Views
No, it is a serious question, just one that can never be seriously answered. - 25/02/2011 03:28:48 PM 1144 Views
Your opinion isn't as valid as anyone else's if that's your opinion. - 25/02/2011 04:44:57 PM 1305 Views
Jack @$$ snobbery at its best. WOW *NM* - 28/02/2011 05:51:48 PM 633 Views
double post. oh my! *NM* - 28/02/2011 05:52:17 PM 661 Views
Just makes you right twice *NM* - 28/02/2011 09:42:19 PM 763 Views
Re: ... - 25/02/2011 08:59:37 AM 1182 Views
And part 2, on the analysis of writing. - 24/02/2011 01:16:20 AM 1197 Views
Florid desciption is usually not a good thing. - 24/02/2011 05:30:30 PM 1152 Views
Re: I find this whole thing elitist and more than a bit silly - 23/02/2011 06:45:05 AM 1291 Views
Why do you think mind-expanding literature is restricted to the classics? - 23/02/2011 08:03:59 AM 1120 Views
Re: Why do you think mind-expanding literature is restricted to the classics? - 23/02/2011 09:25:10 AM 1311 Views
Of course people read for pleasure. - 23/02/2011 09:04:24 PM 1078 Views
Ok... - 24/02/2011 08:59:27 AM 1122 Views
"Yeah well, that's, like, just your opinion, man." Good argument. - 24/02/2011 03:43:24 PM 1194 Views
*NM* - 24/02/2011 05:37:02 PM 677 Views
I find your above average tastes and intelligence uninspiring. - 24/02/2011 08:42:03 PM 1062 Views
I'm curious to hear who Tom and DomA consider a "very good writer"? - 24/02/2011 05:49:13 PM 1181 Views
Among living writers? - 24/02/2011 08:16:08 PM 1245 Views
No Rushdie? - 24/02/2011 09:22:46 PM 1139 Views
I was considering mentioning Rushdie. - 24/02/2011 09:32:20 PM 1080 Views
My list would be similar... - 26/02/2011 07:24:11 AM 1349 Views
That was a very good list. - 26/02/2011 03:07:31 PM 1193 Views
Re: That was a very good list. - 27/02/2011 04:51:43 AM 1249 Views
Once I finish Hugo I'm probably going to read Druon. - 27/02/2011 02:30:03 PM 1030 Views
Oh, and another question - 27/02/2011 05:28:47 PM 1006 Views
Re: Oh, and another question - 01/03/2011 03:42:02 AM 1188 Views
One final question, if you'll indulge me... - 01/03/2011 06:43:23 PM 1069 Views
Well, until I have time to return to your previous post but... - 01/03/2011 07:45:13 PM 1217 Views
I think the two of you have taken too narrow a meaning of 'great' - 27/02/2011 11:14:30 AM 1294 Views
You like Solzhenitsyn but not other Russian writers? - 27/02/2011 02:43:46 PM 1202 Views
Re: You like Solzhenitsyn but not other Russian writers? - 02/03/2011 11:47:19 PM 1305 Views
Re: I think the two of you have taken too narrow a meaning of 'great' - 28/02/2011 11:51:49 PM 1319 Views
Re: I think the two of you have taken too narrow a meaning of 'great' - 03/03/2011 12:01:30 AM 1225 Views
Link to DomA Post from up above: - 03/03/2011 12:20:11 AM 1461 Views
He's a great storyteller, but his prose is somewhat uninspiring. *NM* - 27/02/2011 07:28:00 PM 802 Views

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