In every one of Sanderson's books that I've read (and I've read most of them), I've seen characters who are believable. Elantris, Mistborn, Warbreaker - they all had people who were complex and fully developed. Few characters were "static" or "two-dimensional"; they would act in ways that were unexpected yet entirely in keeping with who they were, intellectually and emotionally.
Jordan's characters, on the other hand, have largely been ersatz humans with two-dimensional personalities and little emotional, intellectual or spiritual growth. When they display emotion, it is often with stock phrases and cliches.
One of the very few instances in the entire series that has had any real depth has been Rand's "soul-searching" on Dragonmount at the end of The Gathering Storm. I'm not sure how much of that scene was Jordan and how much was Sanderson, but I'm willing to bet that it was more of the latter than the former. I never saw anything that real or immediate in Jordan's writing.
As for the other points, it's obvious Jordan's "Old Tongue" is a pile of crap, linguistically speaking. He would have been better not trying to write "in" it if he can't be like Tolkien. But he so desperately wanted to be like Tolkien.
Jordan's characters, on the other hand, have largely been ersatz humans with two-dimensional personalities and little emotional, intellectual or spiritual growth. When they display emotion, it is often with stock phrases and cliches.
One of the very few instances in the entire series that has had any real depth has been Rand's "soul-searching" on Dragonmount at the end of The Gathering Storm. I'm not sure how much of that scene was Jordan and how much was Sanderson, but I'm willing to bet that it was more of the latter than the former. I never saw anything that real or immediate in Jordan's writing.
As for the other points, it's obvious Jordan's "Old Tongue" is a pile of crap, linguistically speaking. He would have been better not trying to write "in" it if he can't be like Tolkien. But he so desperately wanted to be like Tolkien.
Yeah, anyone whose read a little can immediately see that his characters are pretty shallow and undeveloped. If readers want to identify growth they have to pretty much imagine it for themselves. It's not unexpected really - he has over 1200 characters, and is undoubtedly one of the biggest and most detailed worldbuilders out there - though everything comes with a cost.
I'm halfway through another of Feist's books, and I think his characters are already more well developed spiritually than some of the main characters in WoT.
Wheel of Time board admin
Fan of Lanfear
Fan of Lanfear
Seanchan girls. Do they live in terror until 25?
- 02/06/2010 12:32:14 AM
1628 Views
It's a huge honor to be a sul'dam, and they test for that on the same day
- 02/06/2010 01:06:32 AM
961 Views
Re: It's a huge honor to be a sul'dam, and they test for that on the same day
- 02/06/2010 01:50:49 AM
970 Views
Re: It's a huge honor to be a sul'dam, and they test for that on the same day
- 02/06/2010 05:53:14 AM
952 Views
Re: It's a huge honor to be a sul'dam, and they test for that on the same day
- 04/06/2010 07:19:36 PM
810 Views
A few details to consider
- 02/06/2010 01:11:12 AM
977 Views
Re: A few details to consider
- 02/06/2010 02:31:08 AM
966 Views
Well, it took centuries for most people to understand breeding/genetics
- 02/06/2010 08:57:43 PM
813 Views
Re: Well, it took centuries for most people to understand breeding/genetics
- 03/06/2010 03:38:25 AM
647 Views
Re: Well, it took centuries for most people to understand breeding/genetics
- 04/06/2010 07:46:08 PM
725 Views
Nobody knows about Sul'dam because it takes them extra long to learn.
- 03/06/2010 07:58:41 AM
1112 Views
I think they retest only the sul'dam
- 02/06/2010 04:13:55 AM
1014 Views
I'll have to check my EotW, but I think Eg did have some fevers before Winternight. *NM*
- 02/06/2010 06:34:35 PM
419 Views
Re: I think they retest only the sul'dam
- 04/06/2010 07:55:56 PM
814 Views
Point on the testing
- 08/06/2010 02:15:26 AM
775 Views
Re: Point on the testing
- 08/06/2010 02:46:06 PM
851 Views
I'd think that would be a tiny chance given how diligent the Seanchan are in this regard
- 08/06/2010 02:58:15 PM
962 Views
Remember, Seancean have no idea channeling can be "learned"
- 02/06/2010 07:04:11 AM
918 Views
This is how Damane and Sul'Dam are determined, straight from tGH
- 03/06/2010 08:14:03 AM
1319 Views
That doesn't make sense. Are you sure they don't put the BRACELET on the girls, not the collar?
- 04/06/2010 01:35:08 AM
790 Views
I am absolutely sure. Quote from book.
- 04/06/2010 03:09:08 AM
867 Views
Toun, though too young can be collared
- 06/06/2010 03:29:29 AM
723 Views
I don't think Tuon will ever Channel
- 06/06/2010 03:39:16 AM
871 Views
Re: I don't think Tuon will ever Channel
- 06/06/2010 05:07:40 AM
742 Views
I just see all of that as potential plot lines for the planned follow-up Mat/Tuon in Seanchan novels
- 08/06/2010 02:09:26 AM
929 Views
Not at all
- 02/06/2010 03:52:31 PM
721 Views
As with most things in Jordan's universe, I don't think it was thought through very seriously.
- 03/06/2010 08:05:04 PM
751 Views
Huh?
- 03/06/2010 08:44:35 PM
846 Views
Sure
- 03/06/2010 09:00:40 PM
883 Views
Bah...
- 03/06/2010 09:51:09 PM
816 Views
Jordan definitely made mistakes with the Ajahs. In particular, the Black Ajah ones who fled.
- 03/06/2010 10:56:39 PM
799 Views
Re: Sure
- 04/06/2010 04:55:23 AM
920 Views
I don't know if that's totally true
- 04/06/2010 12:09:29 PM
759 Views
Maybe you don't read that much serious literature? I just don't see why you are arguing this.
- 04/06/2010 03:47:50 PM
752 Views
I actually don't read much fiction at all to be honest
- 04/06/2010 04:00:03 PM
780 Views
You're right about the fact that I have mostly contempt for Jordan.
- 04/06/2010 05:42:49 PM
750 Views
Meh
- 04/06/2010 05:03:41 PM
793 Views
I love that: "I'm convinced Rand al'Thor is the most monotonous man in the world."
- 04/06/2010 05:47:01 PM
691 Views
I think the number of characters directly contributes to the situation.
- 04/06/2010 03:51:42 PM
702 Views
Re: I think the number of characters directly contributes to the situation.
- 04/06/2010 05:04:52 PM
654 Views
Brandon brings out supporting chars. better, it's true.
- 04/06/2010 03:17:52 AM
794 Views
You're absolutely right. Sanderson gets "inside" the characters a bit more. *NM*
- 04/06/2010 03:52:29 PM
312 Views
