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I'm rather moderate Etzel Send a noteboard - 14/04/2010 10:11:30 AM
I would disagree with Roberts that just "the immense accumulation of and attention to trivial details" are the reason for the success of WoT (I still don't know if Balwer is left-handed or right-handed!! :P). I also seriously doubt that any fan cares much about the "the shift into increasingly obviously sexualised territory", besides that it's simply a logical consequence of the new relationships between some characters in the series. But certainly no one is that thrilled if a low-cut dress is mentioned (except for Roberts himself apparently..).

Similar to fionwe1987, I think the secret of success is rather that the tapestry or pattern, which RJ has woven in his story - with all the interlinked characters, plot-lines, prophecies, riddles, magic, themes, motifs, etc. - encourages people to speculate and discuss, especially since many things seem familiar from well known myths like King Arthur. Plus, due to the time spend on the various characters or cultures, the WoT world seems especially alive and the readers want to know what happens to them; it's certainly also some kind of escapism to dive into the breathing WoT world. For this reasons, you want to read along to get new informations, but naturally also interesting resolutions. Finally I think the prose isn't that bad and definitely very accessible. In my view, one can really compare WoT in this respect with a successful "fantasy" TV series like Lost, which basically uses similar techniques to fascinate the audience for about six seasons. Of course, some fans are eventually bored or confused by it and scream for all the resolutions before the actual end, but the majority is still thrilled.
This message last edited by Etzel on 14/04/2010 at 10:28:42 AM
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Author Adam Roberts tackled the WoT. - 19/03/2010 09:30:25 PM 12854 Views
A question for Larry - 19/03/2010 09:40:37 PM 3233 Views
Roberto BolaƱo - 19/03/2010 11:09:57 PM 3079 Views
I completely agree with his review. - 19/03/2010 11:11:17 PM 3187 Views
Ouch! Somebody pull that guy off RJ! *NM* - 20/03/2010 03:47:07 AM 1581 Views
Can't say that I really disagree. - 20/03/2010 05:19:26 AM 2511 Views
My problem with the reviews: - 20/03/2010 06:29:08 AM 3196 Views
Hear Hear !!! ....................... = ........................ *NM* - 20/03/2010 06:37:11 AM 1499 Views
I agree - 20/03/2010 11:19:29 AM 2623 Views
You know what else I'm finding annoying? - 07/04/2010 07:29:37 AM 2546 Views
Fully Agree *NM* - 21/06/2010 12:41:05 AM 1379 Views
well I agree and disagree - 20/03/2010 06:51:29 AM 2913 Views
Re: well I agree and disagree - 20/03/2010 02:12:43 PM 2442 Views
I'd say just The Eye of the World - 20/03/2010 05:26:19 PM 2490 Views
Indeed - 21/03/2010 12:34:19 AM 2405 Views
These reviews are pathetic - 20/03/2010 12:52:22 PM 2438 Views
I'm amused by some of the responses - 20/03/2010 07:20:03 PM 2853 Views
+1 *NM* - 20/03/2010 10:48:14 PM 1713 Views
Are you suggesting that we are unqualified to disagree with him ? - 20/03/2010 11:21:44 PM 2577 Views
No, I said rather that it's ridiculous to make such disparaging comments about his takes - 20/03/2010 11:37:56 PM 2586 Views
I considered doing so - 21/03/2010 12:27:27 AM 2446 Views
I will reply to myself: What's the problem McFly , chicken ? - 21/03/2010 12:29:36 AM 2407 Views
My sister called me chicken once - 10/04/2010 01:18:31 AM 2459 Views
what's wrong runt... are you yellah? *NM* - 10/04/2010 10:40:16 AM 1460 Views
NICE! *NM* - 10/04/2010 02:19:44 PM 1324 Views
Re: I'm amused by some of the responses - 23/03/2010 04:50:42 PM 2502 Views
And I'm even more amused by this response - 24/03/2010 01:11:50 AM 2414 Views
Re: And I'm even more amused by this response - 24/03/2010 03:03:28 AM 2297 Views
Nah, TGS was the only serious review of the series I've done - 24/03/2010 04:31:28 AM 2382 Views
On a completely unrelated note... - 24/03/2010 06:15:25 AM 2300 Views
Ha! - 24/03/2010 06:34:48 AM 2330 Views
My congratulations then . *NM* - 24/03/2010 06:36:11 AM 2261 Views
You say it as if I had been condemned to hell! - 24/03/2010 07:13:45 AM 2146 Views
No. Well, maybe. - 24/03/2010 06:52:28 PM 2337 Views
! - 24/03/2010 06:54:34 PM 2334 Views
Re: Author Adam Roberts tackled the WoT. - 22/03/2010 02:47:23 PM 2478 Views
Re: Author Adam Roberts tackled the WoT. - 23/03/2010 01:53:16 PM 2445 Views
Wow, you guys have completely missed the point of the Wheel of Time series - 22/03/2010 05:28:07 PM 2466 Views
There's a point to it? - 22/03/2010 06:47:12 PM 2451 Views
Yes, RJ has explained it at least a few times and the main sequence of each book invokes his message *NM* - 24/03/2010 02:09:01 AM 1465 Views
You're not taking me seriously now, are you? - 24/03/2010 02:54:37 AM 2386 Views
I meant the reason why RJ wrote WoT in the first place - 24/03/2010 06:39:47 AM 2374 Views
I thought the point was to write about a bunch of stuff happening? - 09/04/2010 03:42:49 PM 2443 Views
Re: Author Adam Roberts tackled the WoT. - 23/03/2010 04:54:38 PM 2401 Views
pfft wth-ever - 26/03/2010 12:35:53 AM 2259 Views
Dude's been up for more awards for his writing than RJ ever was - 26/03/2010 12:28:19 PM 2518 Views
bla bla bla - 29/03/2010 06:17:07 AM 2390 Views
Usually, it's spelled "blah" - 29/03/2010 07:03:51 AM 2362 Views
Wow. That post was more entertaining than Mr. Roberts' review. Thank you *NM* - 29/03/2010 08:23:41 AM 1638 Views
You must have low standards for entertainment - 29/03/2010 08:54:03 AM 2332 Views
Re: You must have low standards for entertainment - 29/03/2010 09:13:44 AM 2439 Views
I know you were, thus the at the least of my comment - 29/03/2010 09:19:30 AM 2271 Views
Unimpressed - 29/03/2010 10:50:07 PM 2724 Views
Thank you - 30/03/2010 12:35:39 AM 2168 Views
*Standing ovation for DomA* - 30/03/2010 07:36:59 AM 2466 Views
Yes. Also, Roberts is a wanker. *NM* - 05/04/2010 09:28:57 PM 1472 Views
Re: Dude's been up for more awards for his writing than RJ ever was - 29/03/2010 04:32:23 PM 2449 Views
Might want to re-read their Wikis again. - 29/03/2010 07:07:11 PM 2294 Views
Awards - 29/03/2010 07:42:03 PM 2258 Views
That link is out of date - 29/03/2010 07:54:56 PM 2251 Views
Re: That link is out of date - 29/03/2010 08:22:03 PM 2385 Views
This is a battle of win/lose? - 29/03/2010 08:47:54 PM 2293 Views
Re: This is a battle of win/lose? - 29/03/2010 09:03:07 PM 2325 Views
*considers employing the Chewbacca defense* - 29/03/2010 09:28:06 PM 2315 Views
Re: *considers employing the Chewbacca defense* - 29/03/2010 09:44:58 PM 2525 Views
The final point explains the "defense" - 30/03/2010 12:24:56 AM 2211 Views
Re: The final point explains the "defense" - 30/03/2010 01:33:04 PM 2187 Views
No, no, no - 30/03/2010 06:38:41 PM 2252 Views
Re: No, no, no - 30/03/2010 07:51:34 PM 2362 Views
Still continuing, huh? - 31/03/2010 02:10:13 AM 2317 Views
Re: Still continuing, huh? - 31/03/2010 03:56:57 PM 2283 Views
Those were polls - 31/03/2010 08:46:07 PM 2288 Views
Re: Those were polls - 05/04/2010 03:22:13 PM 2235 Views
Does it gives him right to insult me? - 13/04/2011 02:10:32 PM 2283 Views
I wouldn't know. Was he speaking directly to you? - 14/04/2011 11:28:16 PM 2392 Views
He's now reviewed the third book - 26/03/2010 12:27:16 PM 2502 Views
Well, this time I must disagree with him . - 29/03/2010 07:31:40 AM 2227 Views
I don't think he was claiming that RJ was alone in doing that - 29/03/2010 07:44:07 AM 2226 Views
Hah! - 29/03/2010 06:07:28 PM 2260 Views
Well... - 29/03/2010 06:52:10 PM 2157 Views
Differing perspectives, I guess. - 29/03/2010 07:58:13 PM 2348 Views
I suppose - 29/03/2010 08:50:43 PM 2257 Views
Re: I suppose - 30/03/2010 12:18:30 AM 2393 Views
True - 30/03/2010 12:23:28 AM 2235 Views
Hey, DomA, do you know why the Shienarans randomly speak in the Old Tongue? - 30/03/2010 12:52:01 AM 2217 Views
Re: Hey, DomA, do you know why the Shienarans randomly speak in the Old Tongue? - 30/03/2010 07:45:08 AM 2389 Views
But why only them? - 30/03/2010 08:07:00 AM 2304 Views
Re: But why only them? - 30/03/2010 03:56:54 PM 2283 Views
Re: But why only them? - 30/03/2010 08:29:37 PM 2371 Views
I really liked a lot of the minor characters in The Great Hunt. - 30/03/2010 12:49:03 AM 2268 Views
I barely thought twice about those, to be honest - 30/03/2010 06:39:55 PM 2300 Views
I can't wait what he's going to try to do with TFoH and beyond - 28/03/2010 08:18:59 PM 2380 Views
Glad you enjoyed it - 29/03/2010 09:33:43 PM 2223 Views
The Shadow Rising review - 02/04/2010 09:42:53 AM 2484 Views
I wonder if this borders on trolling - 02/04/2010 02:29:58 PM 11044 Views
You want complaining? You got it... - 02/04/2010 06:38:09 PM 2381 Views
That would be a mistake - 02/04/2010 09:16:25 PM 2502 Views
Re: That would be a mistake - 02/04/2010 10:28:56 PM 2258 Views
I agree, Roberts is more and more coming across to me as just bitter - 10/04/2010 01:24:52 AM 2377 Views
Little late to this one as well - 10/04/2010 11:12:04 AM 2400 Views
Perhaps you should have led with this bit - 10/04/2010 02:52:23 PM 2486 Views
Re: I wonder if this borders on trolling - 04/04/2010 09:16:22 AM 2373 Views
What review? I couldn't find one... - 02/04/2010 08:00:45 PM 2455 Views
Re: What review? I couldn't find one... - 02/04/2010 09:22:13 PM 2461 Views
See my comment below - 02/04/2010 09:32:54 PM 2533 Views
Re: See my comment below - 03/04/2010 09:31:22 AM 2862 Views
Sorry I'm late in responding, but I've been quite busy this week - 07/04/2010 09:45:48 PM 2721 Views
Yes, I can probably agree with what you say here. - 08/04/2010 12:29:16 AM 2173 Views
- 08/04/2010 12:32:53 AM 2335 Views
I agree completely. *NM* - 02/04/2010 09:53:44 PM 1365 Views
Speaking of irritation - 02/04/2010 10:50:04 PM 2433 Views
Commentary, then? - 02/04/2010 09:27:18 PM 2300 Views
Here's the thing... - 02/04/2010 10:11:18 PM 2245 Views
Re: Here's the thing... - 02/04/2010 10:31:56 PM 2088 Views
Re: Here's the thing... - 03/04/2010 01:34:05 AM 2156 Views
I somehow overlooked this last week, it seems - 10/04/2010 11:01:17 AM 2461 Views
Indeed - 02/04/2010 10:34:00 PM 2156 Views
Re: Commentary, then? - 05/04/2010 03:44:07 PM 2218 Views
for a man that bitterly complains about an author who is padding his work - 08/04/2010 09:41:07 PM 2434 Views
1400 words is long-winded? - 09/04/2010 10:07:41 AM 2472 Views
since you can sum up those 1400 words in about 25 yes that's longwinded - 09/04/2010 01:36:16 PM 2339 Views
Except I didn't really sum it up, as I left out quite a bit - 10/04/2010 11:15:42 AM 2382 Views
You are very defensive over this - 10/04/2010 01:54:15 PM 2190 Views
Nah, more of a devil's advocate than anything else - 12/04/2010 03:57:12 AM 2241 Views
Re: Nah, more of a devil's advocate than anything else - 12/04/2010 05:30:53 PM 2160 Views
You sound like a Goodkind webmaster from a couple of years ago - 12/04/2010 06:58:42 PM 2260 Views
You don't come across as a devil's advocate - 30/03/2011 03:07:32 PM 2253 Views
Well Larry I have started reading Gradsil by Adam Roberts - 07/04/2010 08:59:28 PM 2417 Views
I demand a paragraph by paragraph review, with footnotes! - 07/04/2010 09:50:39 PM 2291 Views
Re: I demand a paragraph by paragraph review, with footnotes! - 08/04/2010 01:06:20 PM 2146 Views
Which Invisible Man? - 09/04/2010 09:58:44 AM 2380 Views
Re: Which Invisible Man? - 09/04/2010 01:26:42 PM 2336 Views
I have a very different take on that book - 10/04/2010 11:17:13 AM 2236 Views
Re: I demand a paragraph by paragraph review, with footnotes! - 09/04/2010 01:45:44 PM 2274 Views
Hrmm... - 10/04/2010 11:19:01 AM 2117 Views
Re: Well Larry I have started reading Gradsil by Adam Roberts - 12/04/2010 05:37:36 PM 2354 Views
He brings up some interesting points, if in an unnecessarily rude manner - 08/04/2010 12:42:25 PM 2317 Views
To be honest, I doubt most readers of the series obsess over it that much - 09/04/2010 10:05:49 AM 2301 Views
Re: To be honest, I doubt most readers of the series obsess over it that much - 09/04/2010 01:28:17 PM 2844 Views
Re: To be honest, I doubt most readers of the series obsess over it that much - 10/04/2010 11:40:22 AM 2317 Views
why are you so bothered by people being unimpressed with Roberts? - 10/04/2010 02:19:08 PM 2325 Views
I don't understand it either - 11/04/2010 12:44:25 PM 2303 Views
right? - 11/04/2010 02:13:00 PM 2338 Views
Nah - 12/04/2010 04:13:44 AM 2141 Views
And in vol. 5, Roberts discovers the horrors of the circus - 09/04/2010 09:57:03 AM 2301 Views
5 reviews without saying more than "I hate the series" - 09/04/2010 01:31:13 PM 2147 Views
Basically he just states the "nothing happens"-argument... - 09/04/2010 03:26:02 PM 2191 Views
Well, what was really resolved here? - 10/04/2010 11:25:25 AM 2273 Views
Well... - 12/04/2010 05:05:20 PM 2386 Views
well exactly - 12/04/2010 05:33:11 PM 2419 Views
So very little was resolved and much was set into motion, then? - 12/04/2010 06:55:45 PM 2352 Views
Yes... - 12/04/2010 10:51:08 PM 2107 Views
Ever read Umberto Eco's How To Travel with a Salmon? - 12/04/2010 11:07:19 PM 2423 Views
I guess... - 13/04/2010 10:03:03 AM 2412 Views
Sounds like you value prolixity for the sake of prolixity, to be honest - 13/04/2010 04:41:07 PM 3532 Views
Nah... - 13/04/2010 05:29:34 PM 2104 Views
He's read and enjoyed Proust, among others - 13/04/2010 07:37:39 PM 2203 Views
Ah, well... - 13/04/2010 09:45:45 PM 2157 Views
Dismissive, much? - 13/04/2010 10:52:30 PM 2317 Views
About that bifurcation... - 14/04/2010 02:02:15 AM 2292 Views
I'm rather moderate - 14/04/2010 10:11:30 AM 2191 Views
I'm just a liberation theologist at heart - 15/04/2010 01:51:16 PM 3101 Views
So, if you don't mind... - 13/04/2010 05:51:06 AM 2328 Views
That's fine with me - 13/04/2010 06:31:41 AM 2289 Views
I'm sorry, but he's totally right. "The Circus" made me put down this series for 5 YEARS. - 09/04/2010 03:38:16 PM 2319 Views
I didn't find it quite that bad, but... - 11/04/2010 08:27:52 AM 2306 Views
LoC represented a sharp drop in quality!!? - 19/05/2010 03:27:21 PM 2299 Views
And ignores everything else... - 09/04/2010 05:10:00 PM 2351 Views
Inchoatus went offline a couple of years ago - 10/04/2010 11:42:26 AM 3240 Views
This guy is going to get what he deserves... - 09/04/2010 10:26:14 PM 2271 Views
I'm waiting with bated breath for his CoT review *NM* - 10/04/2010 01:00:59 PM 1434 Views
Just wanted to point out that he is not reviewing the series. - 16/04/2010 04:04:49 PM 2216 Views
Lord of Chaos commentary - 16/04/2010 03:39:39 PM 2290 Views
He has reached - The Hump. - 16/04/2010 03:55:51 PM 2234 Views
Re: He has reached - The Hump. - 18/04/2010 08:08:59 AM 2669 Views
No no. It was Lord of Heaven! - 16/04/2010 05:51:11 PM 2177 Views
Yeah, I noticed that - 16/04/2010 11:16:26 PM 2093 Views
I would love the see him review Goodkind... - 16/04/2010 11:51:07 PM 2330 Views
Finally re-read that post - 20/04/2010 09:35:45 PM 2286 Views
The magic items are mostly irrelevant... - 21/04/2010 03:37:36 AM 2257 Views
A Crown of Swords - or is it deco-porn? - 23/04/2010 08:36:17 AM 2357 Views
Re: A Crown of Swords - or is it deco-porn? - 29/04/2010 06:02:28 PM 2296 Views
I disagree - 29/04/2010 09:34:49 PM 2124 Views
I agree. - 29/04/2010 09:45:29 PM 2327 Views
Took me a moment to realize with whom you were agreeing - 29/04/2010 10:19:05 PM 2241 Views
Well, I did mention the necklines get overdone... - 06/05/2010 06:17:46 PM 2544 Views
Well, there's now also the tea to comment about - 07/05/2010 11:29:03 AM 2357 Views
A bit of a stumble this week - 30/04/2010 01:53:31 PM 2383 Views
The Path of Daggers commentary - 07/05/2010 10:39:03 AM 2438 Views
You'd think a Brit would like the tea... *NM* - 11/05/2010 04:05:42 PM 1305 Views
Maybe he's just a contrarian? - 11/05/2010 07:55:43 PM 2185 Views
Winter's Heart - 21/05/2010 12:46:14 PM 2408 Views
To be fair - 21/05/2010 01:56:49 PM 2515 Views
I think WH was my least favorite of the WoT novels I re-read - 21/05/2010 04:49:31 PM 2270 Views
Re: I think WH was my least favorite of the WoT novels I re-read - 25/05/2010 05:05:09 PM 2409 Views
WH was my least favorite novel in the series, and that is saying a lot. - 28/05/2010 03:15:13 PM 2277 Views
I completely agree with his KoD post. Here is my favorite quote: - 28/05/2010 03:08:31 PM 2596 Views
CoT, you mean (link to actual post included) - 28/05/2010 04:56:10 PM 2419 Views
Yep, I meant COT. *NM* - 28/05/2010 07:02:48 PM 1308 Views
Knife of Dreams - 18/06/2010 09:07:27 AM 2302 Views
Re: Knife of Dreams - 19/06/2010 05:49:38 AM 2376 Views
Agree... - 19/06/2010 05:08:44 PM 2316 Views
Roberts reflects back on WoT 1-11, with answers to questions asked of him - 25/06/2010 12:51:29 PM 2379 Views
This guy should be burned at the stake - 25/06/2010 03:22:34 PM 9844 Views
Are you done making a fool out of yourself, Mark? - 26/06/2010 06:53:37 PM 2318 Views
Oh come on... - 26/06/2010 09:06:01 PM 2391 Views
Well, the burning at the stake was a bit much... - 26/06/2010 10:19:40 PM 2391 Views
Well, really! You brought the comment to his notice... - 26/06/2010 11:34:08 PM 2393 Views
And your point is...? - 27/06/2010 12:37:00 AM 2390 Views
Well... - 27/06/2010 05:38:12 AM 2362 Views
Indeed... I think it's rather clear that Larry's goal has been to cause trouble - 27/06/2010 10:57:36 AM 2533 Views
There is no "borderline" about it. - 28/03/2011 05:17:15 PM 2217 Views
Ridiculous - 27/06/2010 06:38:46 AM 2289 Views
I like his FAQ and his overall musings on its' popularity. - 29/06/2010 06:35:10 PM 2296 Views
One year later... - 27/03/2011 03:40:29 AM 2221 Views
Re: One year later... - 28/03/2011 05:03:32 PM 2466 Views
I see you subconsciously support critical takes. - 28/03/2011 11:41:48 PM 2465 Views
No I conciously support telling you and him that you are pathetic, arrogent, & jelous. *NM* - 30/03/2011 01:40:36 PM 1373 Views
Jealous? - 30/03/2011 05:20:32 PM 2234 Views
I agree, I didn't even notice it was an old post, definitely did not deserve to be revived. *NM* - 30/03/2011 02:41:12 PM 1287 Views
Seconded. - 30/03/2011 04:04:36 PM 2183 Views
Now I notice as well that this is a year old. You're very silly, Larry, very silly. *NM* - 30/03/2011 04:13:38 PM 1414 Views
Yep! - 30/03/2011 05:16:38 PM 2173 Views
Jeez Larry, you're starting to sound like a GRRM detractor. - 31/03/2011 03:01:38 PM 2359 Views
Nah, no detractor - 01/04/2011 03:00:41 PM 2348 Views
Could a thread be locked? - 31/03/2011 07:48:26 PM 2250 Views
Re: One year later... - 01/04/2011 02:55:02 AM 2602 Views
Yep - 01/04/2011 02:57:52 PM 2357 Views
He's not an "author", he's just a stupid troll, do not feed him *NM* - 30/03/2011 02:39:19 PM 1296 Views

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