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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 3525 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 1954 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 1622 Views
What do you think about the Southern Gothic authors? Ghavrel - 23/02/2011 08:08:26 AM 1446 Views
Re: What do you think about the Southern Gothic authors? Lo'oris - 23/02/2011 10:51:57 AM 1529 Views
Oh, it really depends. Ghavrel - 23/02/2011 05:39:07 PM 1312 Views
thanks, I'll have a look *NM* Lo'oris - 23/02/2011 05:40:50 PM 985 Views
For the same reason that most people think they have above average intelligence. RabidWombat - 21/02/2011 11:13:34 PM 1942 Views
Thank you. Nargs - 21/02/2011 11:43:08 PM 1638 Views
Re: For the same reason that most people think they have above average intelligence. *NM* Gerbeaud - 22/02/2011 02:39:20 PM 1097 Views
Re: For the same reason that most people think they have above average intelligence. Gerbeaud - 22/02/2011 02:41:37 PM 1435 Views
Well Said! Evil_Monkey - 22/02/2011 02:42:22 PM 1694 Views
That's possibly the best explanation of literary criticism I've ever seen. The Count - 23/02/2011 02:47:12 AM 1491 Views
I can take a shot at that, since nobody else seems willing to. Ghavrel - 22/02/2011 07:29:20 AM 2012 Views
Do you enjoy reading Robert Jordan's ... Nargs - 22/02/2011 04:31:28 PM 1720 Views
Not particularly. Ghavrel - 22/02/2011 10:22:00 PM 1856 Views
Agreed. Tom - 22/02/2011 10:37:08 PM 1473 Views
Re: I can take a shot at that, since nobody else seems willing to. Lo'oris - 22/02/2011 11:23:38 PM 1646 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 1511 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 1525 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 1559 Views
Amen *NM* Nargs - 22/02/2011 04:32:50 PM 917 Views
Re: Can someone explain to me how Jordan is not a particularly good writer? DomA - 22/02/2011 06:27:11 PM 2555 Views
Brain overload! This is really well thought out. RabidWombat - 23/02/2011 10:22:37 PM 1633 Views
thank you for the insight into the outside view lol Onarishma - 24/02/2011 04:34:57 PM 1580 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 1843 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 1614 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 1556 Views
adam roberts reviews uglycat - 23/02/2011 03:53:49 AM 1702 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 957 Views
Oh GAWD!... not another pointer to Robert Adam's incoherant muckraking HyogaRott - 24/02/2011 07:47:35 PM 1463 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 1916 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 1790 Views
The Necronomicon isn't actually a book, you know. *NM* Ghavrel - 22/02/2011 11:28:29 PM 888 Views
There are nine, actually... Lo'oris - 23/02/2011 12:04:55 AM 1743 Views
Lovecraft's Necronomicon was fictitious. If you want to count fanfiction, fine. *NM* Ghavrel - 23/02/2011 12:38:07 AM 963 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 971 Views
I hope I am misunderstanding you. Stephen - 23/02/2011 10:57:47 PM 1385 Views
Re: I hope I am misunderstanding you. Lo'oris - 24/02/2011 10:41:09 AM 1547 Views
If the core of the story is all that matters, why read a book Stephen - 24/02/2011 10:32:01 PM 1494 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 1505 Views
So wait, style is good? Stephen - 25/02/2011 12:32:07 AM 1779 Views
Re: So wait, style is good? Lo'oris - 25/02/2011 08:53:55 AM 1377 Views
I'm not trolling Stephen - 25/02/2011 11:57:18 PM 1402 Views
That depends... DomA - 23/02/2011 03:00:35 AM 1684 Views
I didn't say aesthetics was the primary criterion. I named three criteria. Tom - 23/02/2011 05:39:03 AM 1554 Views
the "do you like it" is the most important criterion RabidWombat - 23/02/2011 10:45:17 PM 1516 Views
Re: the "do you like it" is the most important criterion DomA - 24/02/2011 01:53:59 AM 1487 Views
Thumbs up - IMHO, all discussion can end here Nargs - 28/02/2011 05:45:34 PM 1615 Views
Not for quality of writing. Tom - 24/02/2011 05:17:52 PM 1486 Views
Those who can do, the rest are critics. *NM* HyogaRott - 24/02/2011 07:55:50 PM 969 Views
I object, sir! People don't read WoT for the way it's told? newyorkersedai - 24/02/2011 12:58:58 AM 1549 Views
If you don't mind me asking... Fanatic-Templar - 24/02/2011 01:05:12 AM 1469 Views
Re: If you don't mind me asking... DomA - 24/02/2011 02:19:17 AM 1419 Views
I still don't get it. Fanatic-Templar - 24/02/2011 08:27:50 AM 1408 Views
Re: If you don't mind me asking... Lo'oris - 24/02/2011 11:29:14 PM 1448 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 1409 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 1469 Views
I'm sure you have a wonderful job awaiting in fast food service. Tom - 25/02/2011 01:57:15 AM 1533 Views
Re: I'm sure you have a wonderful job awaiting in fast food service. Lo'oris - 25/02/2011 08:56:06 AM 1478 Views
Jack @$$ snobbery at its best. WOW *NM* Nargs - 28/02/2011 05:48:43 PM 925 Views
... Fanatic-Templar - 25/02/2011 01:07:22 AM 1379 Views
Maybe you should have used better prose? fionwe1987 - 25/02/2011 01:23:17 AM 1276 Views
It is not a serious question. Tom - 25/02/2011 01:53:59 AM 1544 Views
How so? fionwe1987 - 25/02/2011 02:59:05 AM 1586 Views
I have every right to use that tone. Tom - 25/02/2011 03:08:14 PM 1451 Views
Is that so? Fanatic-Templar - 25/02/2011 05:58:31 AM 1698 Views
I'm not fixated with Jordan. Tom - 25/02/2011 03:13:56 PM 1489 Views
Then why do you keep trying to qualify the passage in relation to him? Fanatic-Templar - 25/02/2011 06:29:31 PM 1521 Views
You're conflating two things. Tom - 25/02/2011 07:32:59 PM 1649 Views
All right, now we're getting somewhere. Fanatic-Templar - 26/02/2011 12:40:57 AM 1508 Views
you raise very good questions... *NM* Nargs - 26/02/2011 09:21:13 AM 899 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 1340 Views
Thank you, and I agree with all your explanations. *NM* Fanatic-Templar - 26/02/2011 07:28:09 PM 855 Views
Glad to hear that. Tom - 27/02/2011 03:42:33 AM 1417 Views
No problem, these things happen on the internet. *NM* Fanatic-Templar - 27/02/2011 04:36:57 AM 886 Views
No, it is a serious question, just one that can never be seriously answered. HyogaRott - 25/02/2011 03:28:48 PM 1548 Views
Your opinion isn't as valid as anyone else's if that's your opinion. Tom - 25/02/2011 04:44:57 PM 1637 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 1960 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 1372 Views
Ah yes, the wonderful "dissmiss the person who disagrees with me by insulting him tactic" HyogaRott - 28/02/2011 02:30:35 PM 1363 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 1357 Views
Jack @$$ snobbery at its best. WOW *NM* Nargs - 28/02/2011 05:51:48 PM 815 Views
double post. oh my! *NM* Nargs - 28/02/2011 05:52:17 PM 841 Views
Just makes you right twice *NM* HyogaRott - 28/02/2011 09:42:19 PM 964 Views
Re: ... Lo'oris - 25/02/2011 08:59:37 AM 1447 Views
And part 2, on the analysis of writing. newyorkersedai - 24/02/2011 01:16:20 AM 1541 Views
Florid desciption is usually not a good thing. Tom - 24/02/2011 05:30:30 PM 1412 Views
Re: I find this whole thing elitist and more than a bit silly GarethBryne - 23/02/2011 06:45:05 AM 1705 Views
Why do you think mind-expanding literature is restricted to the classics? Ghavrel - 23/02/2011 08:03:59 AM 1384 Views
Re: Why do you think mind-expanding literature is restricted to the classics? GarethBryne - 23/02/2011 09:25:10 AM 1551 Views
Of course people read for pleasure. Ghavrel - 23/02/2011 09:04:24 PM 1422 Views
Ok... Nargs - 24/02/2011 08:59:27 AM 1418 Views
"Yeah well, that's, like, just your opinion, man." Good argument. Ghavrel - 24/02/2011 03:43:24 PM 1529 Views
*NM* Tom - 24/02/2011 05:37:02 PM 873 Views
I find your above average tastes and intelligence uninspiring. Nargs - 24/02/2011 08:42:03 PM 1319 Views
I'm curious to hear who Tom and DomA consider a "very good writer"? VTHokie - 24/02/2011 05:49:13 PM 1534 Views
Among living writers? Tom - 24/02/2011 08:16:08 PM 1588 Views
No Rushdie? fionwe1987 - 24/02/2011 09:22:46 PM 1382 Views
I was considering mentioning Rushdie. Tom - 24/02/2011 09:32:20 PM 1377 Views
My list would be similar... DomA - 26/02/2011 07:24:11 AM 1696 Views
That was a very good list. Tom - 26/02/2011 03:07:31 PM 1625 Views
Re: That was a very good list. DomA - 27/02/2011 04:51:43 AM 1597 Views
Once I finish Hugo I'm probably going to read Druon. Tom - 27/02/2011 02:30:03 PM 1483 Views
Oh, and another question Tom - 27/02/2011 05:28:47 PM 1257 Views
Re: Oh, and another question DomA - 01/03/2011 03:42:02 AM 1540 Views
One final question, if you'll indulge me... Tom - 01/03/2011 06:43:23 PM 1311 Views
Well, until I have time to return to your previous post but... DomA - 01/03/2011 07:45:13 PM 1612 Views
I think the two of you have taken too narrow a meaning of 'great' Iain83 - 27/02/2011 11:14:30 AM 1708 Views
You like Solzhenitsyn but not other Russian writers? Tom - 27/02/2011 02:43:46 PM 1535 Views
Re: You like Solzhenitsyn but not other Russian writers? Iain83 - 02/03/2011 11:47:19 PM 1663 Views
Re: I think the two of you have taken too narrow a meaning of 'great' DomA - 28/02/2011 11:51:49 PM 1603 Views
Re: I think the two of you have taken too narrow a meaning of 'great' Iain83 - 03/03/2011 12:01:30 AM 1600 Views
Link to DomA Post from up above: Nargs - 03/03/2011 12:20:11 AM 1722 Views
Re: I think the two of you have taken too narrow a meaning of 'great' DomA - 03/03/2011 02:17:06 PM 1513 Views
He's a great storyteller, but his prose is somewhat uninspiring. *NM* Marshall - 27/02/2011 07:28:00 PM 985 Views
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