Most of his books feel like first drafts to me. And not only me, I think.
It's funny, but there's only one other writer of SF/F that has that "almost" label with me: China MiƩville. Very different in style and most everything else, but there's also that sense of his writing lacking that je ne sais quoi element to make it outstanding.
I think your points are quite accurate, and you highlight exactly *why* Sanderson's works are often "almost" novels. Works written with Sanderson's speed will, by necessity, be lacking the finished and polished appearance of a carefully written novel. Of course, taking one's time doesn't ensure that a book is good - A Misery of Words Dance with Dragons is proof enough of that - but Sanderson's works would almost certainly be improved as a result.
I still find him a fun writer, but I think he does have the ability to be a much better writer because he has interesting ideas that, if improved from a stylistic standpoint, could make really good books. As it is, they're "almost" good.
I still find him a fun writer, but I think he does have the ability to be a much better writer because he has interesting ideas that, if improved from a stylistic standpoint, could make really good books. As it is, they're "almost" good.
It's funny, but there's only one other writer of SF/F that has that "almost" label with me: China MiƩville. Very different in style and most everything else, but there's also that sense of his writing lacking that je ne sais quoi element to make it outstanding.
Brandon Sanderson, The Emperor's Soul
- 18/11/2012 08:43:13 PM
1871 Views
Sounds like my kind of Sanderson book!
- 19/11/2012 01:48:56 AM
1007 Views
De gustibus...
- 19/11/2012 02:28:10 AM
1177 Views
- 19/11/2012 02:28:10 AM
1177 Views
The more Brandon's career evolves...
- 19/11/2012 04:35:26 AM
1169 Views
Speed kills
- 19/11/2012 04:38:27 PM
1088 Views
I agree with both of you
- 19/11/2012 05:27:30 PM
1151 Views
You wouldn't put Erikson in that category?
- 20/11/2012 06:03:05 AM
1129 Views
Although there are uneven moments, I think his work accomplishes a shade more than the other two
- 20/11/2012 06:11:34 AM
1061 Views
Re: Although there are uneven moments, I think his work accomplishes a shade more than the other two
- 20/11/2012 03:12:45 PM
1093 Views
Re: Speed kills
- 19/11/2012 08:59:14 PM
1189 Views
With Martin it's what I call "Robert Jordan Syndrome"
- 20/11/2012 02:31:22 AM
1929 Views
Re: With Martin it's what I call "Robert Jordan Syndrome"
- 20/11/2012 04:12:03 PM
1279 Views
I don't think it's very accurate to call Dance with Dragons a "CoT".
- 20/11/2012 07:53:59 PM
1076 Views
Re: I don't think it's very accurate to call Dance with Dragons a "CoT".
- 20/11/2012 11:56:55 PM
1140 Views
I just want to throw out there - I really appreciate this analysis, DomA. Interesting tidbits.
- 22/11/2012 01:31:17 AM
1272 Views

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