That does not matter. he could have ever single writing award ever given in the last 1,000 years in his shirt pocket, with a Nobel Prize on his wall and it would not change the fact that his "review" is complete crap. Pointing out his awards is like countering the argument that Farah Fawcett couldn't act by saying she is pretty. It is not relevant.

Thoreau is crittically accalimed and I find his writings to be those of a pompus ass with no value; Thomas Hardy is considered to be one of the "greats" and I find him to be completely unreadable, and more worthy of the "fluff packing" criticism than Jordan ever was.

Bottom line is, if you don't like it, don't read it. However, judging by the number of books sold. The number of #1 Bestselelrs in the series, well... I get the impression that Adam Roberts could only wish to sell as many. Heck Robert Adams sold more than him, AND he has a much better sense of humor.

Additionally, according to Wikki (and several other sources) he has been nominated for 2 awards (both on his first novel, wining neither, and nothing since). Douglas Adams won twice the number of awards that Adam Roberts has been nominated for. None of which means anything. Meanwhile RJ was nominated for 12 awards and won 2. This, of course, is in addition to the 2 REAL awards he earned in his life; a DFC and Bronze Star. There is no comparison. Between Jordan's and Adams' writing carrer. RJ will be remembered and inspire future generations of writers, while Roberts is an academic footnote.

Have a Nice Day
(which, by the way, probably sold more copies than Mr Roberts entire body of work and was a #1 Bestseller by yet another author with a better sense of humor).