Comments on: The Progress Since Conan

By: J. Lyon Layden

J. Lyon Layden — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 03:02:28 +0000

Yes I too hope Jordan’s family will be able to put the last book together. It would be very sad if they didn’t.
What upsets me most is that both Jordan and Gygax have recently died with what I would consider very little news coverage and eulogy. Certainly they are both many times more important to the shaping of our modern world and forms of entertainment than Anna Nichole Smith.

By: Bob

Bob — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 22:54:13 +0000

Tolkien was indeed the forefront of most (good) fantasy epics. I do apologize for leaving him out. His books are rich in detail and characters. The entire saga of Bilbo and Frodo that he (barely) managed to contain in 4 volumes is truly amazing. I remember watching the poorly animated story of Bilbo Baggins years ago when I was very young. When the dwarves sang at Bilbo’s house, that first eventful night, of the Tale of the King Under the Mountain, it certainly stirred up dreams about entering myself into his stories. I managed to pick up a copy of this movie on vhs at Blockbuster a few years back, and I love to pull it out on cold rainy days to have “The greatest adventure”. You may have watched it may have not. I think it was made back in the 1980’s. I can’t exactly put a finger on it, but yes, you mentioning the newer “flashy” authors makes me think of the possible reason so many people don’t appreciate the older material. They are slightly aimed at a younger generation, needing more action, death and so forth. Tolkien does seem to tell of the story of the battle and slip it into his stories more than other authors. But I would compare him to Jordan on that point. Jordan does get his history on the battle and previous battles very well. So many books just have action, adventure and the end.
And yes, I am slightly put out by Jordan seeming to steal the idea of an Orc-like creature for his story. If you follow the story of them both, it is pretty damn near the same thing. Half or part man. Part creature.
I do love Tolkien’s books, don’t get me wrong, but here’s my two cents. His stories although very good, have unfortunately ended. Terry Goodkind has just ended The Sword of Truth series, so they are still kinda fresh. And hopefully Robert Jordan’s family will be able to put his last book together for him. I suppose that’s why I like them better right now. The story is yet to be told or finished.

By: J. Lyon Layden

J. Lyon Layden — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 15:13:59 +0000

Some excellent points and well worth sharing. However, though the praise you give Goodkind and Jordan is well deserved, it is hard for me to believe that you have read Tolkien..in that both of those authors owe so much to him and you didn’t mention him at all (implying that they are as good or better than him).
I realize that some people find J.R.R.’s style tedious or outdated as opposed to the more flashy fantasy authors which he spawned, but what others find tedious or outdated I find “authentic.” I want a fantasy book that reads like it was written by a modern sage or a modern bard, or even a modern grandfather, not by a modern suspense or mystery bestseller.
I wish modern authors had stolen J.R.R.s style instead of his world and creatures.

By: Bob

Bob — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 13:45:14 +0000

I have to say that you could read Robert Jordan’s book(s) and not be truly amazed by his logic and thinking. Almost, almost every character is well talked about and has a history of some sort. When he delves into a character, he manages to bring to life all sorts of things involving that person you would have never thought of. Now saying that, he does ramble on about everything and anything that might or might not pertain to the given situation. But the battles and sieges and ultimate struggle of good verses evil is not surpassed by anything I have yet to read. Not that there is something out there I haven’t read that might intrigue me. It’s just the overwhelming situations he puts his characters into. Using all of my imagination and thinking power, I don’t even suppose I could dream as well as he has written. I can not say anything about anyone mentioning the series was/is too long. I personally love long books and couldn’t be happier. The only series I can put him against is the Sword of Truth series by Terry Goodkind. Wow. That’s all I have to say. I’ve cried to parts of his books and laughed at others. Giving me some weird looks by people happening to be nearby. If you can manage to immerse yourself in his books, you might be able to lose the sense of “superheros” everywhere. He uses everyone and no one to reach the end of his story.