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That's possibly the best explanation of literary criticism I've ever seen. The Count Send a noteboard - 23/02/2011 02:47:12 AM
The way you said it was perfect.

RJ's writing violates some of the ideas that critics have of what makes a proper book, but my personal opinion is that many of those supposed "faults" are important factors in creating a fantasy world that feels more real and complete to me than anything else I've ever read.

Other fantasy worlds in books I've read are often interesting, but they feel small and undeveloped, and I can't help but feel like their entires worlds only have a population of about 200 people. With the Wheel of Time, I get the idea of a real world, with various populated nations with fully developed cultures that I can relate to. In my mind, Robert Jordan will is superior to all other fantasy writers I've read in that regard. Other writers are superior to RJ in other ways, but I will never consider RJ to be a bad writer because of that--though he is lacking is some areas.
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Can someone explain to me how Jordan is not a particularly good writer? newyorkersedai - 21/02/2011 05:41:31 PM 3116 Views
I personally see it as more of RJ being a fantastic story teller, but not a well structured writer. darius_sedai - 21/02/2011 06:44:21 PM 1500 Views
Re: I personally see it as more of RJ being a fantastic story teller, but not a well structured Lo'oris - 22/02/2011 10:59:25 PM 1154 Views
What do you think about the Southern Gothic authors? Ghavrel - 23/02/2011 08:08:26 AM 1015 Views
Re: What do you think about the Southern Gothic authors? Lo'oris - 23/02/2011 10:51:57 AM 1115 Views
Oh, it really depends. Ghavrel - 23/02/2011 05:39:07 PM 877 Views
thanks, I'll have a look *NM* Lo'oris - 23/02/2011 05:40:50 PM 731 Views
For the same reason that most people think they have above average intelligence. RabidWombat - 21/02/2011 11:13:34 PM 1489 Views
Thank you. Nargs - 21/02/2011 11:43:08 PM 1227 Views
Re: For the same reason that most people think they have above average intelligence. *NM* Gerbeaud - 22/02/2011 02:39:20 PM 834 Views
Re: For the same reason that most people think they have above average intelligence. Gerbeaud - 22/02/2011 02:41:37 PM 957 Views
Well Said! Evil_Monkey - 22/02/2011 02:42:22 PM 1148 Views
That's possibly the best explanation of literary criticism I've ever seen. The Count - 23/02/2011 02:47:12 AM 1072 Views
I can take a shot at that, since nobody else seems willing to. Ghavrel - 22/02/2011 07:29:20 AM 1518 Views
Do you enjoy reading Robert Jordan's ... Nargs - 22/02/2011 04:31:28 PM 1182 Views
Not particularly. Ghavrel - 22/02/2011 10:22:00 PM 1305 Views
Agreed. Tom - 22/02/2011 10:37:08 PM 1077 Views
Re: I can take a shot at that, since nobody else seems willing to. Lo'oris - 22/02/2011 11:23:38 PM 1174 Views
That has very little to do with anything unless you can provide a real-world analogy to a channeler. Ghavrel - 22/02/2011 11:30:52 PM 1083 Views
Re: That has very little to do with anything unless you can provide a real-world analogy to a Lo'oris - 23/02/2011 12:02:24 AM 1130 Views
As far as I'm concerned, the only way to gauge whether an author is good or not is ... Velveti - 22/02/2011 03:58:17 PM 1059 Views
Amen *NM* Nargs - 22/02/2011 04:32:50 PM 719 Views
Re: Can someone explain to me how Jordan is not a particularly good writer? DomA - 22/02/2011 06:27:11 PM 1931 Views
Brain overload! This is really well thought out. RabidWombat - 23/02/2011 10:22:37 PM 1122 Views
thank you for the insight into the outside view lol Onarishma - 24/02/2011 04:34:57 PM 1182 Views
I think it has more to do with limitations imposed by how the story was organized and edited. RugbyPlayingAshaman - 22/02/2011 07:50:18 PM 1429 Views
That's interesting, and I have a weird agree/disagree here; also, that Adam Roberts sucks newyorkersedai - 23/02/2011 02:15:12 AM 1185 Views
Re: That's interesting, and I have a weird agree/disagree here; also, that Adam Roberts sucks Lo'oris - 23/02/2011 11:02:14 AM 1156 Views
adam roberts reviews uglycat - 23/02/2011 03:53:49 AM 1150 Views
And I suspect those who prefer the BS books are those who largely read WoT for the story. *NM* Ghavrel - 23/02/2011 08:06:16 AM 687 Views
Oh GAWD!... not another pointer to Robert Adam's incoherant muckraking HyogaRott - 24/02/2011 07:47:35 PM 1004 Views
I think DomA answered the question best, but the "do you like it" argument is weak. Tom - 22/02/2011 10:32:51 PM 1300 Views
Re: I think DomA answered the question best, but the "do you like it" argument is weak. Lo'oris - 22/02/2011 11:16:24 PM 1241 Views
The Necronomicon isn't actually a book, you know. *NM* Ghavrel - 22/02/2011 11:28:29 PM 633 Views
There are nine, actually... Lo'oris - 23/02/2011 12:04:55 AM 1296 Views
Lovecraft's Necronomicon was fictitious. If you want to count fanfiction, fine. *NM* Ghavrel - 23/02/2011 12:38:07 AM 705 Views
Based on how poorly worded that response was, I'm not sure what to think of it. *NM* Tom - 23/02/2011 12:13:00 AM 684 Views
I hope I am misunderstanding you. Stephen - 23/02/2011 10:57:47 PM 997 Views
Re: I hope I am misunderstanding you. Lo'oris - 24/02/2011 10:41:09 AM 1147 Views
If the core of the story is all that matters, why read a book Stephen - 24/02/2011 10:32:01 PM 1075 Views
Re: If the core of the story is all that matters, why read a book Lo'oris - 24/02/2011 11:23:42 PM 931 Views
So wait, style is good? Stephen - 25/02/2011 12:32:07 AM 1338 Views
Re: So wait, style is good? Lo'oris - 25/02/2011 08:53:55 AM 968 Views
I'm not trolling Stephen - 25/02/2011 11:57:18 PM 1015 Views
That depends... DomA - 23/02/2011 03:00:35 AM 1207 Views
I didn't say aesthetics was the primary criterion. I named three criteria. Tom - 23/02/2011 05:39:03 AM 1093 Views
the "do you like it" is the most important criterion RabidWombat - 23/02/2011 10:45:17 PM 1082 Views
Re: the "do you like it" is the most important criterion DomA - 24/02/2011 01:53:59 AM 1076 Views
Thumbs up - IMHO, all discussion can end here Nargs - 28/02/2011 05:45:34 PM 1225 Views
Not for quality of writing. Tom - 24/02/2011 05:17:52 PM 1011 Views
Those who can do, the rest are critics. *NM* HyogaRott - 24/02/2011 07:55:50 PM 699 Views
I object, sir! People don't read WoT for the way it's told? newyorkersedai - 24/02/2011 12:58:58 AM 1118 Views
If you don't mind me asking... Fanatic-Templar - 24/02/2011 01:05:12 AM 911 Views
Re: If you don't mind me asking... DomA - 24/02/2011 02:19:17 AM 1026 Views
I still don't get it. Fanatic-Templar - 24/02/2011 08:27:50 AM 915 Views
Re: If you don't mind me asking... Lo'oris - 24/02/2011 11:29:14 PM 970 Views
I don't mind that you ask, but I'm not going to engage in a defense of literature. Tom - 24/02/2011 05:35:27 PM 902 Views
Re: I don't mind that you ask, but I'm not going to engage in a defense of literature. Lo'oris - 24/02/2011 11:26:55 PM 1069 Views
I'm sure you have a wonderful job awaiting in fast food service. Tom - 25/02/2011 01:57:15 AM 1133 Views
Re: I'm sure you have a wonderful job awaiting in fast food service. Lo'oris - 25/02/2011 08:56:06 AM 1030 Views
Jack @$$ snobbery at its best. WOW *NM* Nargs - 28/02/2011 05:48:43 PM 731 Views
... Fanatic-Templar - 25/02/2011 01:07:22 AM 966 Views
Maybe you should have used better prose? fionwe1987 - 25/02/2011 01:23:17 AM 828 Views
It is not a serious question. Tom - 25/02/2011 01:53:59 AM 977 Views
How so? fionwe1987 - 25/02/2011 02:59:05 AM 1096 Views
I have every right to use that tone. Tom - 25/02/2011 03:08:14 PM 1052 Views
Is that so? Fanatic-Templar - 25/02/2011 05:58:31 AM 1044 Views
I'm not fixated with Jordan. Tom - 25/02/2011 03:13:56 PM 1054 Views
Then why do you keep trying to qualify the passage in relation to him? Fanatic-Templar - 25/02/2011 06:29:31 PM 1102 Views
You're conflating two things. Tom - 25/02/2011 07:32:59 PM 1082 Views
All right, now we're getting somewhere. Fanatic-Templar - 26/02/2011 12:40:57 AM 984 Views
you raise very good questions... *NM* Nargs - 26/02/2011 09:21:13 AM 639 Views
Okay, here you go. I am giving you the benefit of the doubt as to your sincerity. Tom - 26/02/2011 03:20:44 PM 838 Views
Thank you, and I agree with all your explanations. *NM* Fanatic-Templar - 26/02/2011 07:28:09 PM 655 Views
Glad to hear that. Tom - 27/02/2011 03:42:33 AM 919 Views
No problem, these things happen on the internet. *NM* Fanatic-Templar - 27/02/2011 04:36:57 AM 715 Views
No, it is a serious question, just one that can never be seriously answered. HyogaRott - 25/02/2011 03:28:48 PM 997 Views
Your opinion isn't as valid as anyone else's if that's your opinion. Tom - 25/02/2011 04:44:57 PM 1145 Views
Re: Your opinion isn't as valid as anyone else's if that's your opinion. HyogaRott - 25/02/2011 06:05:18 PM 1546 Views
I'm not wasting my time proving something to an internet moron and troll like you. Tom - 25/02/2011 07:36:19 PM 921 Views
Ah yes, the wonderful "dissmiss the person who disagrees with me by insulting him tactic" HyogaRott - 28/02/2011 02:30:35 PM 930 Views
Re: Your opinion isn't as valid as anyone else's if that's your opinion. Lo'oris - 26/02/2011 11:06:26 AM 964 Views
Jack @$$ snobbery at its best. WOW *NM* Nargs - 28/02/2011 05:51:48 PM 566 Views
double post. oh my! *NM* Nargs - 28/02/2011 05:52:17 PM 604 Views
Just makes you right twice *NM* HyogaRott - 28/02/2011 09:42:19 PM 697 Views
Re: ... Lo'oris - 25/02/2011 08:59:37 AM 1025 Views
And part 2, on the analysis of writing. newyorkersedai - 24/02/2011 01:16:20 AM 1046 Views
Florid desciption is usually not a good thing. Tom - 24/02/2011 05:30:30 PM 994 Views
Re: I find this whole thing elitist and more than a bit silly GarethBryne - 23/02/2011 06:45:05 AM 1130 Views
Why do you think mind-expanding literature is restricted to the classics? Ghavrel - 23/02/2011 08:03:59 AM 966 Views
Re: Why do you think mind-expanding literature is restricted to the classics? GarethBryne - 23/02/2011 09:25:10 AM 1128 Views
Of course people read for pleasure. Ghavrel - 23/02/2011 09:04:24 PM 928 Views
Ok... Nargs - 24/02/2011 08:59:27 AM 967 Views
"Yeah well, that's, like, just your opinion, man." Good argument. Ghavrel - 24/02/2011 03:43:24 PM 1041 Views
*NM* Tom - 24/02/2011 05:37:02 PM 595 Views
I find your above average tastes and intelligence uninspiring. Nargs - 24/02/2011 08:42:03 PM 904 Views
I'm curious to hear who Tom and DomA consider a "very good writer"? VTHokie - 24/02/2011 05:49:13 PM 1052 Views
Among living writers? Tom - 24/02/2011 08:16:08 PM 1087 Views
No Rushdie? fionwe1987 - 24/02/2011 09:22:46 PM 977 Views
I was considering mentioning Rushdie. Tom - 24/02/2011 09:32:20 PM 933 Views
My list would be similar... DomA - 26/02/2011 07:24:11 AM 1196 Views
That was a very good list. Tom - 26/02/2011 03:07:31 PM 1018 Views
Re: That was a very good list. DomA - 27/02/2011 04:51:43 AM 1077 Views
Once I finish Hugo I'm probably going to read Druon. Tom - 27/02/2011 02:30:03 PM 866 Views
Oh, and another question Tom - 27/02/2011 05:28:47 PM 862 Views
Re: Oh, and another question DomA - 01/03/2011 03:42:02 AM 1036 Views
One final question, if you'll indulge me... Tom - 01/03/2011 06:43:23 PM 926 Views
Well, until I have time to return to your previous post but... DomA - 01/03/2011 07:45:13 PM 1060 Views
I think the two of you have taken too narrow a meaning of 'great' Iain83 - 27/02/2011 11:14:30 AM 1136 Views
You like Solzhenitsyn but not other Russian writers? Tom - 27/02/2011 02:43:46 PM 1046 Views
Re: You like Solzhenitsyn but not other Russian writers? Iain83 - 02/03/2011 11:47:19 PM 1121 Views
Re: I think the two of you have taken too narrow a meaning of 'great' DomA - 28/02/2011 11:51:49 PM 1171 Views
Re: I think the two of you have taken too narrow a meaning of 'great' Iain83 - 03/03/2011 12:01:30 AM 1063 Views
Link to DomA Post from up above: Nargs - 03/03/2011 12:20:11 AM 1289 Views
Re: I think the two of you have taken too narrow a meaning of 'great' DomA - 03/03/2011 02:17:06 PM 1012 Views
He's a great storyteller, but his prose is somewhat uninspiring. *NM* Marshall - 27/02/2011 07:28:00 PM 723 Views
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