You Should Read Chronicles Of Amber

[Blackbyrd]

The title is self explanatory.

 

I've posted this before... however--- It's basically two books from WoT. After reading it you'll not only see how great RJ was at subversion- at stealing scenes, you'll see a whole amazing the Amber influence struck through almost every fantasy piece today. Grimdark? The 1st 5 are practically grimdark. Trust me on this- if you haven't read Amber save your WoT reread and get to it. You'll like everything more despite the stark contrast of narration.

[Bodewhin]

I read Roger Zelazny's Chronicles of Amber years before reading WOT - I found the first book Nine Princes in Amber addicting and enjoyed the following installments to a lesser degree. 

 

I can't say the relation between Amber and WOT is any closer than most fantasy tie-ins imo. There's similar themes but arguably the stories and worlds are vastly different. 

 

Both have something called The Pattern - but Zelazny's pattern is more abstract and it's an actual pattern that stretches across time and space, which Corwin walks across to regain his memories and experience his past lives (similar to a glass lake) whereas the pattern in RJ's WOT has direct links to Celtic Mythology, where destinies are woven on a loom, Rhiannon's Silver Wheel and the Wheel of Fortune... Etc.

 

Zelazny's tongue-in-cheek narrative could pair nicely with Mat's cynical wit or Lan's dry Ice - but while I thought Amber had some really interesting parts and ideas, it felt more like a corrupted fairy tale borrowing from myths and legends about the Seelie and Unseelie courts, rather than the brand of fantasy in WOT. 

 

I mean, Rand, Mat, Perrin and Egwene never went to Kentucky Fried Lizard or attended the Mad Tea Party - both of which occured in the Amber books. 

 

Also, the story revolves around Amber being the only real world and the rest of the worlds being shadow worlds - most of the drama surrounds Corwin and his siblings, the dysfunction, their plotting and scheming - the royal family is basically a group of demigods who wander between universes. 

 

Don't get me wrong, it's a good story and interesting world building. I just don't see the connection between the two outside of normal fantasy comparisons. 

Edited June 14 by Bodewhin

[Blackbyrd]

The flippant tongue is oft the tongue who has not wrought any critique worth having.... 

 

Would like me to explain the exact things to which I, an actual reader of arts know? I feel you will say many things then fade like so many weak winds. 

 

There was quite obviously a very interwoven group of writers that helped create fantasy as it is now and if u really care to find out about it -or, maybe your preferences lay more to.... Mad snark- then kindly read more of the era just prior to Amber, and thorn feel free to teach me a lesson here or in pms

 

I won't hold my breath

Edited June 24 by Blackbyrd

[Bodewhin]

Your response is baffling and honestly, sounds rather rude. 

 

You asserted that The Chronicles of Amber was just like WOT and that it was 'two books' in WOT (I didn't even get what you meant there) and that in reading Amber anyone would like it more than WOT - that's your opinion you're entitled to it. 

 

Having read the Chronicles of Amber, I disagree that the similarities are anything outstanding compared to most fantasy comparisons on the whole - that is my opinion. I also prefer WOT over Amber. 

 

I never once indicated there was not correlation among fantasy writers pioneering the genre, I think that's a given. That was not even mentioned in your OP. 

 

I'm assuming you either misunderstood my post or it rubbed you the wrong way - either way, my intent was not to offend you or your sensibilities. However, you are clearly trying to offend me. 

 

I'm starting to see a pattern with discussions on DM being mostly people shouting their opinion then getting butthurt or unreasonably angry when someone doesn't agree with them - which kind of defeats the purpose of having a discussion at all.

[Asthereal]

On 6/24/2025 at 5:03 PM, Bodewhin said:

Your response is baffling and honestly, sounds rather rude. 

 

You asserted that The Chronicles of Amber was just like WOT and that it was 'two books' in WOT (I didn't even get what you meant there) and that in reading Amber anyone would like it more than WOT - that's your opinion you're entitled to it. 

 

Having read the Chronicles of Amber, I disagree that the similarities are anything outstanding compared to most fantasy comparisons on the whole - that is my opinion. I also prefer WOT over Amber. 

 

I never once indicated there was not correlation among fantasy writers pioneering the genre, I think that's a given. That was not even mentioned in your OP. 

 

I'm assuming you either misunderstood my post or it rubbed you the wrong way - either way, my intent was not to offend you or your sensibilities. However, you are clearly trying to offend me. 

 

I'm starting to see a pattern with discussions on DM being mostly people shouting their opinion then getting butthurt or unreasonably angry when someone doesn't agree with them - which kind of defeats the purpose of having a discussion at all.

 

Agreed. I think your take on Amber was well reasoned and seems fair. I read a few Amber books back in the day, and I had a similar experience. The first few were very good but I ended up losing interest. I can't remember what made me lose interest though. It's been 25 years or so.

 

Blackbyrd behaved like a pretentious, gatekeeping idiot in that last post. An apology is warranted, I feel.