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adam roberts reviews uglycat Send a noteboard - 23/02/2011 03:53:49 AM
the robert adams reviews are interesting. clearly, he hated the story in general, which lead him to skim over a lot of the detail, which in turn made him misunderstand important things (or miss them completely).
this made the reviews kind of silly because at this point, he's not really reviewing, just slagging.

still, one thing did resonate truly for me in his review of winter's heart and it's something that's been my major beef with the books in general.

The aim, in other words, is precisely the necrophilic jouissance of postponement, an endless deferral, a tantric-sex approach to narrative satisfaction.


it's like watching the highway chase scene in matrix2, where the two trucks drive toward each other with morpheus and the key guy on top. except instead of seeing them hit and being treated to a neato CG slow motion explosion and neo swooping in to save the day, the trucks just keep driving past each other, turning around, and coming back again, only to pass by once more.

it's probably why most people hate perrin. it's not that perrin sucks, but that his story was stuck in limbo for so long, seeming to be coming close to a resolution, only to spiral away from the inevitable collision at the last second.

i've seen many people say they liked tGS and ToM more than RJ's own books and i shake my head.
but then i remember that i enjoyed sanderson's additions more too. that's in spite of him completely botching up the pacing and generally writing with a sledgehammer.
it's not at all that sanderson is good, it's that he got to write the book(s) where all the best stuff happens.

mmm, so looking back on this post, i seem to have strayed off topic. but in general, i'm mostly just underlining the fact that enjoying the story != enjoying the writing. or something. ¬_¬
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Can someone explain to me how Jordan is not a particularly good writer? - 21/02/2011 05:41:31 PM 3204 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 1596 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 1234 Views
What do you think about the Southern Gothic authors? - 23/02/2011 08:08:26 AM 1100 Views
Re: What do you think about the Southern Gothic authors? - 23/02/2011 10:51:57 AM 1197 Views
Oh, it really depends. - 23/02/2011 05:39:07 PM 957 Views
thanks, I'll have a look *NM* - 23/02/2011 05:40:50 PM 774 Views
For the same reason that most people think they have above average intelligence. - 21/02/2011 11:13:34 PM 1561 Views
Thank you. - 21/02/2011 11:43:08 PM 1303 Views
Well Said! - 22/02/2011 02:42:22 PM 1223 Views
I can take a shot at that, since nobody else seems willing to. - 22/02/2011 07:29:20 AM 1605 Views
Do you enjoy reading Robert Jordan's ... - 22/02/2011 04:31:28 PM 1287 Views
Not particularly. - 22/02/2011 10:22:00 PM 1388 Views
Agreed. - 22/02/2011 10:37:08 PM 1170 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 1144 Views
Amen *NM* - 22/02/2011 04:32:50 PM 763 Views
Re: Can someone explain to me how Jordan is not a particularly good writer? - 22/02/2011 06:27:11 PM 2013 Views
Brain overload! This is really well thought out. - 23/02/2011 10:22:37 PM 1203 Views
thank you for the insight into the outside view lol - 24/02/2011 04:34:57 PM 1260 Views
I think it has more to do with limitations imposed by how the story was organized and edited. - 22/02/2011 07:50:18 PM 1512 Views
adam roberts reviews - 23/02/2011 03:53:49 AM 1235 Views
Oh GAWD!... not another pointer to Robert Adam's incoherant muckraking - 24/02/2011 07:47:35 PM 1087 Views
I think DomA answered the question best, but the "do you like it" argument is weak. - 22/02/2011 10:32:51 PM 1379 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 1332 Views
The Necronomicon isn't actually a book, you know. *NM* - 22/02/2011 11:28:29 PM 682 Views
There are nine, actually... - 23/02/2011 12:04:55 AM 1382 Views
I hope I am misunderstanding you. - 23/02/2011 10:57:47 PM 1079 Views
Re: I hope I am misunderstanding you. - 24/02/2011 10:41:09 AM 1227 Views
If the core of the story is all that matters, why read a book - 24/02/2011 10:32:01 PM 1167 Views
Re: If the core of the story is all that matters, why read a book - 24/02/2011 11:23:42 PM 1008 Views
So wait, style is good? - 25/02/2011 12:32:07 AM 1412 Views
Re: So wait, style is good? - 25/02/2011 08:53:55 AM 1055 Views
I'm not trolling - 25/02/2011 11:57:18 PM 1091 Views
That depends... - 23/02/2011 03:00:35 AM 1302 Views
the "do you like it" is the most important criterion - 23/02/2011 10:45:17 PM 1165 Views
Re: the "do you like it" is the most important criterion - 24/02/2011 01:53:59 AM 1160 Views
Thumbs up - IMHO, all discussion can end here - 28/02/2011 05:45:34 PM 1296 Views
Not for quality of writing. - 24/02/2011 05:17:52 PM 1107 Views
Those who can do, the rest are critics. *NM* - 24/02/2011 07:55:50 PM 748 Views
I object, sir! People don't read WoT for the way it's told? - 24/02/2011 12:58:58 AM 1213 Views
If you don't mind me asking... - 24/02/2011 01:05:12 AM 991 Views
Re: If you don't mind me asking... - 24/02/2011 02:19:17 AM 1105 Views
I still don't get it. - 24/02/2011 08:27:50 AM 1002 Views
Re: If you don't mind me asking... - 24/02/2011 11:29:14 PM 1054 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 989 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 1152 Views
I'm sure you have a wonderful job awaiting in fast food service. - 25/02/2011 01:57:15 AM 1202 Views
Re: I'm sure you have a wonderful job awaiting in fast food service. - 25/02/2011 08:56:06 AM 1115 Views
Jack @$$ snobbery at its best. WOW *NM* - 28/02/2011 05:48:43 PM 778 Views
... - 25/02/2011 01:07:22 AM 1065 Views
Maybe you should have used better prose? - 25/02/2011 01:23:17 AM 914 Views
It is not a serious question. - 25/02/2011 01:53:59 AM 1049 Views
How so? - 25/02/2011 02:59:05 AM 1191 Views
I have every right to use that tone. - 25/02/2011 03:08:14 PM 1127 Views
Is that so? - 25/02/2011 05:58:31 AM 1124 Views
I'm not fixated with Jordan. - 25/02/2011 03:13:56 PM 1150 Views
Then why do you keep trying to qualify the passage in relation to him? - 25/02/2011 06:29:31 PM 1190 Views
You're conflating two things. - 25/02/2011 07:32:59 PM 1162 Views
All right, now we're getting somewhere. - 26/02/2011 12:40:57 AM 1087 Views
you raise very good questions... *NM* - 26/02/2011 09:21:13 AM 681 Views
Okay, here you go. I am giving you the benefit of the doubt as to your sincerity. - 26/02/2011 03:20:44 PM 916 Views
Thank you, and I agree with all your explanations. *NM* - 26/02/2011 07:28:09 PM 697 Views
Glad to hear that. - 27/02/2011 03:42:33 AM 1000 Views
No problem, these things happen on the internet. *NM* - 27/02/2011 04:36:57 AM 752 Views
No, it is a serious question, just one that can never be seriously answered. - 25/02/2011 03:28:48 PM 1074 Views
Your opinion isn't as valid as anyone else's if that's your opinion. - 25/02/2011 04:44:57 PM 1237 Views
Jack @$$ snobbery at its best. WOW *NM* - 28/02/2011 05:51:48 PM 601 Views
double post. oh my! *NM* - 28/02/2011 05:52:17 PM 639 Views
Just makes you right twice *NM* - 28/02/2011 09:42:19 PM 732 Views
Re: ... - 25/02/2011 08:59:37 AM 1101 Views
And part 2, on the analysis of writing. - 24/02/2011 01:16:20 AM 1123 Views
Florid desciption is usually not a good thing. - 24/02/2011 05:30:30 PM 1083 Views
Re: I find this whole thing elitist and more than a bit silly - 23/02/2011 06:45:05 AM 1214 Views
Why do you think mind-expanding literature is restricted to the classics? - 23/02/2011 08:03:59 AM 1050 Views
Re: Why do you think mind-expanding literature is restricted to the classics? - 23/02/2011 09:25:10 AM 1224 Views
Of course people read for pleasure. - 23/02/2011 09:04:24 PM 1009 Views
Ok... - 24/02/2011 08:59:27 AM 1043 Views
"Yeah well, that's, like, just your opinion, man." Good argument. - 24/02/2011 03:43:24 PM 1120 Views
*NM* - 24/02/2011 05:37:02 PM 641 Views
I find your above average tastes and intelligence uninspiring. - 24/02/2011 08:42:03 PM 985 Views
I'm curious to hear who Tom and DomA consider a "very good writer"? - 24/02/2011 05:49:13 PM 1133 Views
Among living writers? - 24/02/2011 08:16:08 PM 1171 Views
No Rushdie? - 24/02/2011 09:22:46 PM 1068 Views
I was considering mentioning Rushdie. - 24/02/2011 09:32:20 PM 1014 Views
My list would be similar... - 26/02/2011 07:24:11 AM 1278 Views
That was a very good list. - 26/02/2011 03:07:31 PM 1115 Views
Re: That was a very good list. - 27/02/2011 04:51:43 AM 1162 Views
Once I finish Hugo I'm probably going to read Druon. - 27/02/2011 02:30:03 PM 953 Views
Oh, and another question - 27/02/2011 05:28:47 PM 960 Views
Re: Oh, and another question - 01/03/2011 03:42:02 AM 1117 Views
One final question, if you'll indulge me... - 01/03/2011 06:43:23 PM 1004 Views
Well, until I have time to return to your previous post but... - 01/03/2011 07:45:13 PM 1143 Views
I think the two of you have taken too narrow a meaning of 'great' - 27/02/2011 11:14:30 AM 1213 Views
You like Solzhenitsyn but not other Russian writers? - 27/02/2011 02:43:46 PM 1129 Views
Re: You like Solzhenitsyn but not other Russian writers? - 02/03/2011 11:47:19 PM 1221 Views
Re: I think the two of you have taken too narrow a meaning of 'great' - 28/02/2011 11:51:49 PM 1240 Views
Re: I think the two of you have taken too narrow a meaning of 'great' - 03/03/2011 12:01:30 AM 1150 Views
Link to DomA Post from up above: - 03/03/2011 12:20:11 AM 1389 Views
He's a great storyteller, but his prose is somewhat uninspiring. *NM* - 27/02/2011 07:28:00 PM 770 Views

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