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adam roberts reviews uglycat Send a noteboard - 23/02/2011 03:53:49 AM
the robert adams reviews are interesting. clearly, he hated the story in general, which lead him to skim over a lot of the detail, which in turn made him misunderstand important things (or miss them completely).
this made the reviews kind of silly because at this point, he's not really reviewing, just slagging.

still, one thing did resonate truly for me in his review of winter's heart and it's something that's been my major beef with the books in general.

The aim, in other words, is precisely the necrophilic jouissance of postponement, an endless deferral, a tantric-sex approach to narrative satisfaction.


it's like watching the highway chase scene in matrix2, where the two trucks drive toward each other with morpheus and the key guy on top. except instead of seeing them hit and being treated to a neato CG slow motion explosion and neo swooping in to save the day, the trucks just keep driving past each other, turning around, and coming back again, only to pass by once more.

it's probably why most people hate perrin. it's not that perrin sucks, but that his story was stuck in limbo for so long, seeming to be coming close to a resolution, only to spiral away from the inevitable collision at the last second.

i've seen many people say they liked tGS and ToM more than RJ's own books and i shake my head.
but then i remember that i enjoyed sanderson's additions more too. that's in spite of him completely botching up the pacing and generally writing with a sledgehammer.
it's not at all that sanderson is good, it's that he got to write the book(s) where all the best stuff happens.

mmm, so looking back on this post, i seem to have strayed off topic. but in general, i'm mostly just underlining the fact that enjoying the story != enjoying the writing. or something. ¬_¬
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Can someone explain to me how Jordan is not a particularly good writer? - 21/02/2011 05:41:31 PM 3339 Views
I personally see it as more of RJ being a fantastic story teller, but not a well structured writer. - 21/02/2011 06:44:21 PM 1734 Views
Re: I personally see it as more of RJ being a fantastic story teller, but not a well structured - 22/02/2011 10:59:25 PM 1358 Views
What do you think about the Southern Gothic authors? - 23/02/2011 08:08:26 AM 1238 Views
Re: What do you think about the Southern Gothic authors? - 23/02/2011 10:51:57 AM 1320 Views
Oh, it really depends. - 23/02/2011 05:39:07 PM 1092 Views
thanks, I'll have a look *NM* - 23/02/2011 05:40:50 PM 837 Views
For the same reason that most people think they have above average intelligence. - 21/02/2011 11:13:34 PM 1699 Views
Thank you. - 21/02/2011 11:43:08 PM 1430 Views
Well Said! - 22/02/2011 02:42:22 PM 1355 Views
I can take a shot at that, since nobody else seems willing to. - 22/02/2011 07:29:20 AM 1754 Views
Do you enjoy reading Robert Jordan's ... - 22/02/2011 04:31:28 PM 1450 Views
Not particularly. - 22/02/2011 10:22:00 PM 1556 Views
Agreed. - 22/02/2011 10:37:08 PM 1293 Views
As far as I'm concerned, the only way to gauge whether an author is good or not is ... - 22/02/2011 03:58:17 PM 1290 Views
Amen *NM* - 22/02/2011 04:32:50 PM 821 Views
Re: Can someone explain to me how Jordan is not a particularly good writer? - 22/02/2011 06:27:11 PM 2164 Views
Brain overload! This is really well thought out. - 23/02/2011 10:22:37 PM 1344 Views
thank you for the insight into the outside view lol - 24/02/2011 04:34:57 PM 1384 Views
I think it has more to do with limitations imposed by how the story was organized and edited. - 22/02/2011 07:50:18 PM 1652 Views
adam roberts reviews - 23/02/2011 03:53:49 AM 1377 Views
Oh GAWD!... not another pointer to Robert Adam's incoherant muckraking - 24/02/2011 07:47:35 PM 1215 Views
I think DomA answered the question best, but the "do you like it" argument is weak. - 22/02/2011 10:32:51 PM 1552 Views
Re: I think DomA answered the question best, but the "do you like it" argument is weak. - 22/02/2011 11:16:24 PM 1496 Views
The Necronomicon isn't actually a book, you know. *NM* - 22/02/2011 11:28:29 PM 740 Views
There are nine, actually... - 23/02/2011 12:04:55 AM 1527 Views
I hope I am misunderstanding you. - 23/02/2011 10:57:47 PM 1216 Views
Re: I hope I am misunderstanding you. - 24/02/2011 10:41:09 AM 1347 Views
If the core of the story is all that matters, why read a book - 24/02/2011 10:32:01 PM 1310 Views
Re: If the core of the story is all that matters, why read a book - 24/02/2011 11:23:42 PM 1154 Views
So wait, style is good? - 25/02/2011 12:32:07 AM 1533 Views
Re: So wait, style is good? - 25/02/2011 08:53:55 AM 1185 Views
I'm not trolling - 25/02/2011 11:57:18 PM 1207 Views
That depends... - 23/02/2011 03:00:35 AM 1444 Views
the "do you like it" is the most important criterion - 23/02/2011 10:45:17 PM 1303 Views
Re: the "do you like it" is the most important criterion - 24/02/2011 01:53:59 AM 1289 Views
Thumbs up - IMHO, all discussion can end here - 28/02/2011 05:45:34 PM 1422 Views
Not for quality of writing. - 24/02/2011 05:17:52 PM 1245 Views
Those who can do, the rest are critics. *NM* - 24/02/2011 07:55:50 PM 799 Views
I object, sir! People don't read WoT for the way it's told? - 24/02/2011 12:58:58 AM 1355 Views
If you don't mind me asking... - 24/02/2011 01:05:12 AM 1125 Views
Re: If you don't mind me asking... - 24/02/2011 02:19:17 AM 1243 Views
I still don't get it. - 24/02/2011 08:27:50 AM 1142 Views
Re: If you don't mind me asking... - 24/02/2011 11:29:14 PM 1189 Views
I don't mind that you ask, but I'm not going to engage in a defense of literature. - 24/02/2011 05:35:27 PM 1140 Views
Re: I don't mind that you ask, but I'm not going to engage in a defense of literature. - 24/02/2011 11:26:55 PM 1288 Views
I'm sure you have a wonderful job awaiting in fast food service. - 25/02/2011 01:57:15 AM 1329 Views
Re: I'm sure you have a wonderful job awaiting in fast food service. - 25/02/2011 08:56:06 AM 1241 Views
Jack @$$ snobbery at its best. WOW *NM* - 28/02/2011 05:48:43 PM 828 Views
... - 25/02/2011 01:07:22 AM 1189 Views
Maybe you should have used better prose? - 25/02/2011 01:23:17 AM 1032 Views
It is not a serious question. - 25/02/2011 01:53:59 AM 1181 Views
How so? - 25/02/2011 02:59:05 AM 1312 Views
I have every right to use that tone. - 25/02/2011 03:08:14 PM 1269 Views
Is that so? - 25/02/2011 05:58:31 AM 1280 Views
I'm not fixated with Jordan. - 25/02/2011 03:13:56 PM 1277 Views
Then why do you keep trying to qualify the passage in relation to him? - 25/02/2011 06:29:31 PM 1323 Views
You're conflating two things. - 25/02/2011 07:32:59 PM 1309 Views
All right, now we're getting somewhere. - 26/02/2011 12:40:57 AM 1233 Views
you raise very good questions... *NM* - 26/02/2011 09:21:13 AM 738 Views
Okay, here you go. I am giving you the benefit of the doubt as to your sincerity. - 26/02/2011 03:20:44 PM 1048 Views
Thank you, and I agree with all your explanations. *NM* - 26/02/2011 07:28:09 PM 748 Views
Glad to hear that. - 27/02/2011 03:42:33 AM 1136 Views
No problem, these things happen on the internet. *NM* - 27/02/2011 04:36:57 AM 804 Views
No, it is a serious question, just one that can never be seriously answered. - 25/02/2011 03:28:48 PM 1206 Views
Your opinion isn't as valid as anyone else's if that's your opinion. - 25/02/2011 04:44:57 PM 1359 Views
Jack @$$ snobbery at its best. WOW *NM* - 28/02/2011 05:51:48 PM 659 Views
double post. oh my! *NM* - 28/02/2011 05:52:17 PM 687 Views
Just makes you right twice *NM* - 28/02/2011 09:42:19 PM 790 Views
Re: ... - 25/02/2011 08:59:37 AM 1232 Views
And part 2, on the analysis of writing. - 24/02/2011 01:16:20 AM 1260 Views
Florid desciption is usually not a good thing. - 24/02/2011 05:30:30 PM 1212 Views
Re: I find this whole thing elitist and more than a bit silly - 23/02/2011 06:45:05 AM 1357 Views
Why do you think mind-expanding literature is restricted to the classics? - 23/02/2011 08:03:59 AM 1177 Views
Re: Why do you think mind-expanding literature is restricted to the classics? - 23/02/2011 09:25:10 AM 1364 Views
Of course people read for pleasure. - 23/02/2011 09:04:24 PM 1143 Views
Ok... - 24/02/2011 08:59:27 AM 1175 Views
"Yeah well, that's, like, just your opinion, man." Good argument. - 24/02/2011 03:43:24 PM 1254 Views
*NM* - 24/02/2011 05:37:02 PM 702 Views
I find your above average tastes and intelligence uninspiring. - 24/02/2011 08:42:03 PM 1115 Views
I'm curious to hear who Tom and DomA consider a "very good writer"? - 24/02/2011 05:49:13 PM 1243 Views
Among living writers? - 24/02/2011 08:16:08 PM 1303 Views
No Rushdie? - 24/02/2011 09:22:46 PM 1189 Views
I was considering mentioning Rushdie. - 24/02/2011 09:32:20 PM 1142 Views
My list would be similar... - 26/02/2011 07:24:11 AM 1404 Views
That was a very good list. - 26/02/2011 03:07:31 PM 1262 Views
Re: That was a very good list. - 27/02/2011 04:51:43 AM 1308 Views
Once I finish Hugo I'm probably going to read Druon. - 27/02/2011 02:30:03 PM 1099 Views
Oh, and another question - 27/02/2011 05:28:47 PM 1060 Views
Re: Oh, and another question - 01/03/2011 03:42:02 AM 1247 Views
One final question, if you'll indulge me... - 01/03/2011 06:43:23 PM 1121 Views
Well, until I have time to return to your previous post but... - 01/03/2011 07:45:13 PM 1279 Views
I think the two of you have taken too narrow a meaning of 'great' - 27/02/2011 11:14:30 AM 1425 Views
You like Solzhenitsyn but not other Russian writers? - 27/02/2011 02:43:46 PM 1262 Views
Re: You like Solzhenitsyn but not other Russian writers? - 02/03/2011 11:47:19 PM 1431 Views
Re: I think the two of you have taken too narrow a meaning of 'great' - 28/02/2011 11:51:49 PM 1377 Views
Re: I think the two of you have taken too narrow a meaning of 'great' - 03/03/2011 12:01:30 AM 1346 Views
Link to DomA Post from up above: - 03/03/2011 12:20:11 AM 1520 Views
He's a great storyteller, but his prose is somewhat uninspiring. *NM* - 27/02/2011 07:28:00 PM 828 Views

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