You must not have been reading the same series I have.
Legolas Send a noteboard - 07/12/2009 10:33:23 PM

I have struggled with Elayne and Egwene. I suspect the problem is that they are TOO realistic: teenage girls with a teenage girl world view (it's-all-about-me-pretending-its-about-you).
Here I can see your point, though honestly, if Egwene's guilty of that, most Aes Sedai other than Cadsuane, Moiraine and a few others are. Not being teenage girls, obviously, but self-involved and concerned with nothing but the Tower, their Ajah and themselves, not necessarily in that order.
Inexperienced, immature, hormonal, cute and powerful. No wonder Rand hides away.
Here, somewhat. Elayne has moments when her noble upbringing and lack of understanding of the real world shine through, but they're hardly that frequent, apart from the odd behaviour in SR and FoH; same with Egwene's occasional stupid ideas. And in later books, I don't think you can call either immature, much less inexperienced.
Think of of Elayne as Clare (Hayden Panettiere) in Heroes. Adorable, well meaning, and - to paraphrase Douglas Adams - brain the size of a small plant. (Doesn't dropping a vowel make a difference?)
Actually, she's one of the smartest of the main characters. And, considering her upbringing, surprisingly good at admitting mistakes when she does get it wrong, as seen from Mat's PoV.
Egwene is more Padme (Natalie Portman) in Phantom Menace. A 14 year old elected Queen (one of George's weirder ideas) with that earnest, well-meaning uppity-naivete that is simultaneously sweet and terrifying. Gawyn also suits as Anakin - ninja psychopath incapable of empathy or self-analysis.
Gawyn as Anakin is funny because it's so true.

Semirhage and Egwene
04/12/2009 02:31:45 PM
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I agree with all of that.
04/12/2009 02:58:48 PM
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Re: I agree with all of that. *NM*
04/12/2009 03:22:49 PM
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Re: I agree with all of that.
04/12/2009 03:29:46 PM
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The entire cast is full of Perfect Sues and Stuarts (I may have just made latter up)
04/12/2009 03:14:27 PM
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If you plan to write that review before the last two books are out, you better get re-reading now. *NM*
04/12/2009 03:20:31 PM
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about Semirhage
04/12/2009 03:21:32 PM
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but
04/12/2009 03:26:29 PM
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She was never THAT person.
06/12/2009 01:22:39 AM
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Alas, Semirhage was actually an idiot
04/12/2009 05:03:48 PM
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Re: Alas, Semirhage was actually an idiot
04/12/2009 06:42:41 PM
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If one compares the characters...
05/12/2009 11:24:16 AM
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Did I miss Rand's marriage ceremonies? I always thought the three girls only bonded him *NM*
05/12/2009 11:27:36 AM
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Egwene had the best mix of teachers and a desire to learn. Most believable, IMO. *NM*
04/12/2009 10:17:56 PM
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That's really nonsense
05/12/2009 11:13:20 AM
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And yet Egwene is still a fool regarding Gawyn.
04/12/2009 05:44:49 PM
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Egwene has a long way to go ...
05/12/2009 06:16:31 PM
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Hardly a blunder
06/12/2009 01:43:54 AM
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Re: Hardly a blunder? Send Egwene back to Silviana.
07/12/2009 04:03:08 PM
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Or she her rescue forced her hand. She lost her advantage
07/12/2009 04:47:56 PM
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She should have attacked when they first arrived
07/12/2009 09:35:33 PM
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Don't damn me, damn Graendal
09/12/2009 12:51:18 PM
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Yes, the Aes Sedai need to rediscover the meaning of "servants of all" *NM*
06/12/2009 05:03:19 AM
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I'm re-reading the series now for the first time in years. Egwene has always been a weak character.
07/12/2009 01:12:15 AM
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I think you'll find few people who agree with you on both of those counts...
07/12/2009 01:53:58 PM
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Irritating teen spirits ...
07/12/2009 04:32:51 PM
- 868 Views
You must not have been reading the same series I have.
07/12/2009 10:33:23 PM
- 899 Views
