Wheel of Time Books

[Nerwen]

diservern, welcome to the Downs– that is, if you're not a new type of spambot that actually reads books, which would certainly be an interesting development. I ask because... well, why are you getting so riled up over such an ancient thread? Most of those people aren't even around to reply.

–Myself, I rather like the Wheel of Time series, at least the earlier books. After that, as other posters have already complained, it does get tied up with trivial details and minor subplots, so that one begins to suspect the author's written himself into a corner with the main plot and is now just stalling. (Supposedly, though, Jordan did work out an ending before he died.)

[dlsevern]

I would like to make my apologies, I came across this thread by pure accident and I didn't pay attention to how long ago it had ended. I suppose I will just have to agree to disagree about the WoT series. I have not been lost at all throughout the entire series and feel that Jordan knew exactly where he wanted the series to go and through foreshadowing he has shown that, even from the very first book. I realize that some readers don't enjoy many different storylines, but if you are an LoR fan, I know you have to love detail. That is what I love about the WoT. I love all of the characters and that they all have their parts to play. Sure there are characters that you don't like, but that is what makes a great story, more than just one antagonist and one problem.

Oh by the way alatar, about you ignorant little comment, LoR had plenty of moments that I could have done without too. I have to skip over everytime someone sings in the series. It drives me out of my mind. That doesn't mean that I don't love LoR though. It just means that Tolkien's writing isn't perfect.

[Morthoron]

Originally Posted by dlsevern

Oh by the way alatar, about you ignorant little comment, LoR had plenty of moments that I could have done without too.

Alatar was stating his opinion, and he's welcome to it. Personally, I agree with his sentiment that Jordan often times is tediously meticulous in belaboring a minute (and senseless) point. Referring to his opinion as "ignorant", however, is unacceptable.

Disagree, if you must, but save the personal attacks for some other forum. Or at least couch your derision in a manner which implies the same thing but is not so outwardly contemptible.

[Estelyn Telcontar]

Originally Posted by dlsevern

All of you need to just cut it out.

Oh by the way alatar, about you ignorant little comment,

From the moderator:

The Barrow-Downs forum welcomes new members, and both new and old are entitled to express their opinions. However, personal attacks just because someone expresses a different opinion are not allowed. After all, you wouldn't like others to treat you the same way!

Please keep future posts free from disparaging comments on other members' opinions, and you will find everyone here interested in exchanging ideas with you. Also, please edit your above post to remove the personal insult, or one of the moderators/administrators will do so.

For more information about posting rules, please check out these threads:

Guidelines
Forum Policies
FAQ

Thank you!

[alatar]

Originally Posted by dlsevern

I would like to make my apologies, I came across this thread by pure accident and I didn't pay attention to how long ago it had ended.

No problem. I like when older threads are churned up.

I suppose I will just have to agree to disagree about the WoT series. I have not been lost at all throughout the entire series and feel that Jordan knew exactly where he wanted the series to go and through foreshadowing he has shown that, even from the very first book. I realize that some readers don't enjoy many different storylines, but if you are an LoR fan, I know you have to love detail. That is what I love about the WoT.

I too love detail. My issue with WoT is the inconsistencies with said detail, and it's probably because I've been tainted forever by reading LotR (though even Tolkien makes some blunders). To me, and it's just my opinion, LotR seems more thorough, more solid, than WoT.

I love all of the characters and that they all have their parts to play. Sure there are characters that you don't like, but that is what makes a great story, more than just one antagonist and one problem.

Agreed. Again, my issue, especially with the later books, is that, after 600+ pages, the story then started, something happened, then I had to wait for a year or more for the next book, which followed the same formula.

Oh by the way alatar, about you ignorant little comment, LoR had plenty of moments that I could have done without too.

Agreed. I suggest that when reading LotR, people skip the first few chapters and start at Bree.

And I apologize if I came off rudely (not ignorantly, as I have read most of the WoT series ), as that wasn't my intent. My posts lately have been shorter, more blunt, and so may come off poorly.

I have to skip over everytime someone sings in the series. It drives me out of my mind. That doesn't mean that I don't love LoR though. It just means that Tolkien's writing isn't perfect.

Again I agree. I have the unabridged audiobook version of LotR, and as soon as a song starts...Next!

[dlsevern]

No alatar, I shouldn't have said that, you made a simple comment about your opinion and I let it get under my skin. I apologize. We just see things differently, that's all.

[dlsevern]

Agreed. Again, my issue, especially with the later books, is that, after 600+ pages, the story then started, something happened, then I had to wait for a year or more for the next book, which followed the same formula.

Yes, the prologue might be a little more extended than what I'd like it to be. 600+ pages is exagerating a bit, but I just looked at the prologue on the one I'm reading now. It is 87 pages long, lol. I just never noticed them being that long I guess. It would probably be a little irritating if you had to wait for each new book of the series. I on the other hand haven't had to wait, so it hasn't bothered me much.

[dlsevern]

Agreed. I suggest that when reading LotR, people skip the first few chapters and start at Bree.

The only problem I see with that is that they would miss the The Old Forest and The Barrow Downs, two of my favorite parts of Fellowship and Bombadil is one of my favorite characters of the entire trilogy. He sings way too much but I love him anyway. LOL

[dlsevern]

Alatar was stating his opinion, and he's welcome to it. Personally, I agree with his sentiment that Jordan often times is tediously meticulous in belaboring a minute (and senseless) point. Referring to his opinion as "ignorant", however, is unacceptable.

I am not picking a fight with you but I just wanted to add that nothing Jordan wrote in any books of the series, that I have read, was tedious or senseless. Everything had its purpose, whether it was character development or foreshadowing. I love meticulous detail, maybe that is why I love Stephen King so much. Many people don't like him because he is too detailed, but me, I love that sh%t. That is not to say that don't like writers who aren't as detail oriented as Tolkien, Jordan, or King. A lot of writers can be just as effective without as much detail. I digress.

[alatar]

Originally Posted by dlsevern

No alatar, I shouldn't have said that, you made a simple comment about your opinion and I let it get under my skin. I apologize.

No offense taken. And if I am writing rudely, please feel free to call me on it.

We just see things differently, that's all.

That's what makes the forum interesting.

I guess the other thing that taints my feelings towards WoT is that it seemed to have so much potential - another LotR perhaps - but, for me, it didn't deliver.

Note that I feel the same about Peter Jackson's film version of LotR.

[dlsevern]

I guess the other thing that taints my feelings towards WoT is that it seemed to have so much potential - another LotR perhaps - but, for me, it didn't deliver.

I realize this is probably going to get a lot of groans and possibly even a few F.U.'s, but I feel that WoT is a superior story to LotR. Okay, you can started flinging the rotten tomatoes at me.

[dlsevern]

Note that I feel the same about Peter Jackson's film version of LotR.

I feel the same way. I appreciate it, but he left many of my favorite parts of the books out. I understand that theatrical releases have to be limited somewhat, but because of the way they wrote the script, they weren't able to add them into the dvd releases. Example: The Old Forest, Tom Bombadil, The Barrow Downs, The Woses, The Battle of the Shire.

[alatar]

Originally Posted by dlsevern

I realize this is probably going to get a lot of groans and possibly even a few F.U.'s, but I feel that WoT is a superior story to LotR. Okay, you can started flinging the rotten tomatoes at me.

To each his or her own, I guess.

There are those that think that the post-Frank Herbert 'Dune' books are better than the originals as well. I disagree.

For me the test has been rereadability. I read LotR at least once a year. WoT; I've read once (though, if you count the extended prologues, I guess, technically, I read every book twice ).

WoT feels 'ad hoc.' LotR, with the Silmarillion as a background, seems to have a plan, a history, and it feels like it ties somehow into our present day. Another difference in WoT and LotR could be the age at which I read each initially. It's hard to get interested as an cynical adult when reading about the 'teenage travails' of Rand al'Thor, or about the 'political intrigues' of the world after having read Dune.

But that might just be me.