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That's possibly the best explanation of literary criticism I've ever seen. The Count Send a noteboard - 23/02/2011 02:47:12 AM
The way you said it was perfect.

RJ's writing violates some of the ideas that critics have of what makes a proper book, but my personal opinion is that many of those supposed "faults" are important factors in creating a fantasy world that feels more real and complete to me than anything else I've ever read.

Other fantasy worlds in books I've read are often interesting, but they feel small and undeveloped, and I can't help but feel like their entires worlds only have a population of about 200 people. With the Wheel of Time, I get the idea of a real world, with various populated nations with fully developed cultures that I can relate to. In my mind, Robert Jordan will is superior to all other fantasy writers I've read in that regard. Other writers are superior to RJ in other ways, but I will never consider RJ to be a bad writer because of that--though he is lacking is some areas.
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Can someone explain to me how Jordan is not a particularly good writer? newyorkersedai - 21/02/2011 05:41:31 PM 3205 Views
I personally see it as more of RJ being a fantastic story teller, but not a well structured writer. darius_sedai - 21/02/2011 06:44:21 PM 1597 Views
Re: I personally see it as more of RJ being a fantastic story teller, but not a well structured Lo'oris - 22/02/2011 10:59:25 PM 1234 Views
What do you think about the Southern Gothic authors? Ghavrel - 23/02/2011 08:08:26 AM 1101 Views
Re: What do you think about the Southern Gothic authors? Lo'oris - 23/02/2011 10:51:57 AM 1198 Views
Oh, it really depends. Ghavrel - 23/02/2011 05:39:07 PM 958 Views
thanks, I'll have a look *NM* Lo'oris - 23/02/2011 05:40:50 PM 775 Views
For the same reason that most people think they have above average intelligence. RabidWombat - 21/02/2011 11:13:34 PM 1562 Views
Thank you. Nargs - 21/02/2011 11:43:08 PM 1304 Views
Re: For the same reason that most people think they have above average intelligence. *NM* Gerbeaud - 22/02/2011 02:39:20 PM 869 Views
Re: For the same reason that most people think they have above average intelligence. Gerbeaud - 22/02/2011 02:41:37 PM 1036 Views
Well Said! Evil_Monkey - 22/02/2011 02:42:22 PM 1224 Views
That's possibly the best explanation of literary criticism I've ever seen. The Count - 23/02/2011 02:47:12 AM 1151 Views
I can take a shot at that, since nobody else seems willing to. Ghavrel - 22/02/2011 07:29:20 AM 1606 Views
Do you enjoy reading Robert Jordan's ... Nargs - 22/02/2011 04:31:28 PM 1288 Views
Not particularly. Ghavrel - 22/02/2011 10:22:00 PM 1389 Views
Agreed. Tom - 22/02/2011 10:37:08 PM 1171 Views
Re: I can take a shot at that, since nobody else seems willing to. Lo'oris - 22/02/2011 11:23:38 PM 1258 Views
That has very little to do with anything unless you can provide a real-world analogy to a channeler. Ghavrel - 22/02/2011 11:30:52 PM 1166 Views
Re: That has very little to do with anything unless you can provide a real-world analogy to a Lo'oris - 23/02/2011 12:02:24 AM 1211 Views
As far as I'm concerned, the only way to gauge whether an author is good or not is ... Velveti - 22/02/2011 03:58:17 PM 1147 Views
Amen *NM* Nargs - 22/02/2011 04:32:50 PM 764 Views
Re: Can someone explain to me how Jordan is not a particularly good writer? DomA - 22/02/2011 06:27:11 PM 2014 Views
Brain overload! This is really well thought out. RabidWombat - 23/02/2011 10:22:37 PM 1204 Views
thank you for the insight into the outside view lol Onarishma - 24/02/2011 04:34:57 PM 1261 Views
I think it has more to do with limitations imposed by how the story was organized and edited. RugbyPlayingAshaman - 22/02/2011 07:50:18 PM 1514 Views
That's interesting, and I have a weird agree/disagree here; also, that Adam Roberts sucks newyorkersedai - 23/02/2011 02:15:12 AM 1266 Views
Re: That's interesting, and I have a weird agree/disagree here; also, that Adam Roberts sucks Lo'oris - 23/02/2011 11:02:14 AM 1237 Views
adam roberts reviews uglycat - 23/02/2011 03:53:49 AM 1235 Views
And I suspect those who prefer the BS books are those who largely read WoT for the story. *NM* Ghavrel - 23/02/2011 08:06:16 AM 725 Views
Oh GAWD!... not another pointer to Robert Adam's incoherant muckraking HyogaRott - 24/02/2011 07:47:35 PM 1090 Views
I think DomA answered the question best, but the "do you like it" argument is weak. Tom - 22/02/2011 10:32:51 PM 1380 Views
Re: I think DomA answered the question best, but the "do you like it" argument is weak. Lo'oris - 22/02/2011 11:16:24 PM 1333 Views
The Necronomicon isn't actually a book, you know. *NM* Ghavrel - 22/02/2011 11:28:29 PM 683 Views
There are nine, actually... Lo'oris - 23/02/2011 12:04:55 AM 1383 Views
Lovecraft's Necronomicon was fictitious. If you want to count fanfiction, fine. *NM* Ghavrel - 23/02/2011 12:38:07 AM 745 Views
Based on how poorly worded that response was, I'm not sure what to think of it. *NM* Tom - 23/02/2011 12:13:00 AM 729 Views
I hope I am misunderstanding you. Stephen - 23/02/2011 10:57:47 PM 1080 Views
Re: I hope I am misunderstanding you. Lo'oris - 24/02/2011 10:41:09 AM 1228 Views
If the core of the story is all that matters, why read a book Stephen - 24/02/2011 10:32:01 PM 1168 Views
Re: If the core of the story is all that matters, why read a book Lo'oris - 24/02/2011 11:23:42 PM 1009 Views
So wait, style is good? Stephen - 25/02/2011 12:32:07 AM 1413 Views
Re: So wait, style is good? Lo'oris - 25/02/2011 08:53:55 AM 1056 Views
I'm not trolling Stephen - 25/02/2011 11:57:18 PM 1092 Views
That depends... DomA - 23/02/2011 03:00:35 AM 1303 Views
I didn't say aesthetics was the primary criterion. I named three criteria. Tom - 23/02/2011 05:39:03 AM 1173 Views
the "do you like it" is the most important criterion RabidWombat - 23/02/2011 10:45:17 PM 1166 Views
Re: the "do you like it" is the most important criterion DomA - 24/02/2011 01:53:59 AM 1161 Views
Thumbs up - IMHO, all discussion can end here Nargs - 28/02/2011 05:45:34 PM 1297 Views
Not for quality of writing. Tom - 24/02/2011 05:17:52 PM 1108 Views
Those who can do, the rest are critics. *NM* HyogaRott - 24/02/2011 07:55:50 PM 749 Views
I object, sir! People don't read WoT for the way it's told? newyorkersedai - 24/02/2011 12:58:58 AM 1215 Views
If you don't mind me asking... Fanatic-Templar - 24/02/2011 01:05:12 AM 992 Views
Re: If you don't mind me asking... DomA - 24/02/2011 02:19:17 AM 1106 Views
I still don't get it. Fanatic-Templar - 24/02/2011 08:27:50 AM 1003 Views
Re: If you don't mind me asking... Lo'oris - 24/02/2011 11:29:14 PM 1055 Views
I don't mind that you ask, but I'm not going to engage in a defense of literature. Tom - 24/02/2011 05:35:27 PM 990 Views
Re: I don't mind that you ask, but I'm not going to engage in a defense of literature. Lo'oris - 24/02/2011 11:26:55 PM 1153 Views
I'm sure you have a wonderful job awaiting in fast food service. Tom - 25/02/2011 01:57:15 AM 1203 Views
Re: I'm sure you have a wonderful job awaiting in fast food service. Lo'oris - 25/02/2011 08:56:06 AM 1116 Views
Jack @$$ snobbery at its best. WOW *NM* Nargs - 28/02/2011 05:48:43 PM 779 Views
... Fanatic-Templar - 25/02/2011 01:07:22 AM 1067 Views
Maybe you should have used better prose? fionwe1987 - 25/02/2011 01:23:17 AM 915 Views
It is not a serious question. Tom - 25/02/2011 01:53:59 AM 1050 Views
How so? fionwe1987 - 25/02/2011 02:59:05 AM 1192 Views
I have every right to use that tone. Tom - 25/02/2011 03:08:14 PM 1129 Views
Is that so? Fanatic-Templar - 25/02/2011 05:58:31 AM 1125 Views
I'm not fixated with Jordan. Tom - 25/02/2011 03:13:56 PM 1151 Views
Then why do you keep trying to qualify the passage in relation to him? Fanatic-Templar - 25/02/2011 06:29:31 PM 1191 Views
You're conflating two things. Tom - 25/02/2011 07:32:59 PM 1163 Views
All right, now we're getting somewhere. Fanatic-Templar - 26/02/2011 12:40:57 AM 1088 Views
you raise very good questions... *NM* Nargs - 26/02/2011 09:21:13 AM 682 Views
Okay, here you go. I am giving you the benefit of the doubt as to your sincerity. Tom - 26/02/2011 03:20:44 PM 917 Views
Thank you, and I agree with all your explanations. *NM* Fanatic-Templar - 26/02/2011 07:28:09 PM 698 Views
Glad to hear that. Tom - 27/02/2011 03:42:33 AM 1001 Views
No problem, these things happen on the internet. *NM* Fanatic-Templar - 27/02/2011 04:36:57 AM 753 Views
No, it is a serious question, just one that can never be seriously answered. HyogaRott - 25/02/2011 03:28:48 PM 1075 Views
Your opinion isn't as valid as anyone else's if that's your opinion. Tom - 25/02/2011 04:44:57 PM 1238 Views
Re: Your opinion isn't as valid as anyone else's if that's your opinion. HyogaRott - 25/02/2011 06:05:18 PM 1646 Views
I'm not wasting my time proving something to an internet moron and troll like you. Tom - 25/02/2011 07:36:19 PM 997 Views
Ah yes, the wonderful "dissmiss the person who disagrees with me by insulting him tactic" HyogaRott - 28/02/2011 02:30:35 PM 1008 Views
Re: Your opinion isn't as valid as anyone else's if that's your opinion. Lo'oris - 26/02/2011 11:06:26 AM 1049 Views
Jack @$$ snobbery at its best. WOW *NM* Nargs - 28/02/2011 05:51:48 PM 602 Views
double post. oh my! *NM* Nargs - 28/02/2011 05:52:17 PM 640 Views
Just makes you right twice *NM* HyogaRott - 28/02/2011 09:42:19 PM 733 Views
Re: ... Lo'oris - 25/02/2011 08:59:37 AM 1102 Views
And part 2, on the analysis of writing. newyorkersedai - 24/02/2011 01:16:20 AM 1124 Views
Florid desciption is usually not a good thing. Tom - 24/02/2011 05:30:30 PM 1084 Views
Re: I find this whole thing elitist and more than a bit silly GarethBryne - 23/02/2011 06:45:05 AM 1215 Views
Why do you think mind-expanding literature is restricted to the classics? Ghavrel - 23/02/2011 08:03:59 AM 1051 Views
Re: Why do you think mind-expanding literature is restricted to the classics? GarethBryne - 23/02/2011 09:25:10 AM 1225 Views
Of course people read for pleasure. Ghavrel - 23/02/2011 09:04:24 PM 1010 Views
Ok... Nargs - 24/02/2011 08:59:27 AM 1044 Views
"Yeah well, that's, like, just your opinion, man." Good argument. Ghavrel - 24/02/2011 03:43:24 PM 1121 Views
*NM* Tom - 24/02/2011 05:37:02 PM 643 Views
I find your above average tastes and intelligence uninspiring. Nargs - 24/02/2011 08:42:03 PM 986 Views
I'm curious to hear who Tom and DomA consider a "very good writer"? VTHokie - 24/02/2011 05:49:13 PM 1134 Views
Among living writers? Tom - 24/02/2011 08:16:08 PM 1172 Views
No Rushdie? fionwe1987 - 24/02/2011 09:22:46 PM 1069 Views
I was considering mentioning Rushdie. Tom - 24/02/2011 09:32:20 PM 1015 Views
My list would be similar... DomA - 26/02/2011 07:24:11 AM 1279 Views
That was a very good list. Tom - 26/02/2011 03:07:31 PM 1116 Views
Re: That was a very good list. DomA - 27/02/2011 04:51:43 AM 1163 Views
Once I finish Hugo I'm probably going to read Druon. Tom - 27/02/2011 02:30:03 PM 954 Views
Oh, and another question Tom - 27/02/2011 05:28:47 PM 961 Views
Re: Oh, and another question DomA - 01/03/2011 03:42:02 AM 1118 Views
One final question, if you'll indulge me... Tom - 01/03/2011 06:43:23 PM 1005 Views
Well, until I have time to return to your previous post but... DomA - 01/03/2011 07:45:13 PM 1144 Views
I think the two of you have taken too narrow a meaning of 'great' Iain83 - 27/02/2011 11:14:30 AM 1216 Views
You like Solzhenitsyn but not other Russian writers? Tom - 27/02/2011 02:43:46 PM 1130 Views
Re: You like Solzhenitsyn but not other Russian writers? Iain83 - 02/03/2011 11:47:19 PM 1223 Views
Re: I think the two of you have taken too narrow a meaning of 'great' DomA - 28/02/2011 11:51:49 PM 1241 Views
Re: I think the two of you have taken too narrow a meaning of 'great' Iain83 - 03/03/2011 12:01:30 AM 1152 Views
Link to DomA Post from up above: Nargs - 03/03/2011 12:20:11 AM 1390 Views
Re: I think the two of you have taken too narrow a meaning of 'great' DomA - 03/03/2011 02:17:06 PM 1100 Views
He's a great storyteller, but his prose is somewhat uninspiring. *NM* Marshall - 27/02/2011 07:28:00 PM 771 Views
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