My slow way into tthe cycle

[Samwell Tarly]

Hello, I am a new member, I didn´t did my greeting post, so maybe in the days to follow... Anyway, the only piece of Jordan´s writing I own right now is "The New Spring" in it´s original short form. And I see that author was quite skilled but also that his sense for detail could get out of control. So here we have Morraine´s story about what she wore, where she slept and to who she smiled at instead of paying him, with some tidbits about unimportant stuff like Dragon Reborn, so I see where tha accusations of graphomania are coming from. But I would like to experience world-crossing journey, political intrigue and SM soceresses. In your opinion how much story and descriptivness enriche each other in tha main bulk of the story? I would like to prepare myself with some better idea before reading Eye of the World. Thanks in advance.

[Kaznen]

Yes, read the Wheel of Time starting with The Eye of the World. Once you have read all the books, including New Spring: the Novel and the BWB read them all again.

 

And stay off this board until after your first read through.

[Jblaylock]

And stay off this board until after your first read through.

 

 

I just wanted to say, both for Kaznen here and for Samwell Tarly (the original poster), that this comment was probably not intended to sound how it sounds. Samwell, when you read this, Kaznen no doubt meant to warn you to stay off the boards (until you've read more) because many of the conversations here will spoil the story for you. I doubt he meant it like a "stay outta here, or else!" kind of comment.

 

 

Then again...

[Feral]

I'd say New Spring is not a good way to introduce yourself to the world of WoT. Yes, it sets up a lot of back story, which can be useful, but it is quite slow and without much action. The rest of the serious isn't quite as descriptive most of the time, I'd say, and there's a good deal more action in most of the main books.

 

And yeah, be careful on these forums cos even topic titles can give important things away.

[Xader]

I'd say New Spring is not a good way to introduce yourself to the world of WoT. Yes, it sets up a lot of back story, which can be useful, but it is quite slow and without much action. The rest of the serious isn't quite as descriptive most of the time, I'd say, and there's a good deal more action in most of the main books.

 

There is also a lot of subtle humor and fairly significant references that are completely missed without the context of the first five-or-so books.

[Darth Krewl]

The rest of the serious isn't quite as descriptive most of the time, I'd say, and there's a good deal more action in most of the main books.

 

And yeah, be careful on these forums cos even topic titles can give important things away.

 

Hmm...not sure I would agree with this.

 

It is widely admitted that books 7-10 were very slow, complicated and that not too much happens; especially concerning action relevant to the main plot (The Last Battle). Jordan was criticized for having indulged a little too much in those books and does sacrifice intensity in favor of describing settings, locations, costumes and such.

 

Don't get me wrong, I obviously like the Wheel of Time and I like it a lot, but I'm not blind to its shortcomings and this is how I personally feel about this series: Books 1-3, excellent. Books 4-6, very good. Books 7-10 pretty bad. Books 11-13 very good to excellent, again. I think of it as the middle act of a very good play not being that good.

 

So, yeah, Sam, if you're gonna read the series, I recommend you do it in order. Further read-throughs and such would be optional, I think, depending on how much you end up liking the whole thing.

 

Say hi to Gilly and Lord Commander Snow for me! ;-P

 

PS: Oh and yeah, if you don't want to know any spoilers, try to avoid these forums, at least until you've read most of the books.

[capuga]

Hello, I am a new member, I didn´t did my greeting post, so maybe in the days to follow... Anyway, the only piece of Jordan´s writing I own right now is "The New Spring" in it´s original short form. And I see that author was quite skilled but also that his sense for detail could get out of control. So here we have Morraine´s story about what she wore, where she slept and to who she smiled at instead of paying him, with some tidbits about unimportant stuff like Dragon Reborn, so I see where tha accusations of graphomania are coming from. But I would like to experience world-crossing journey, political intrigue and SM soceresses. In your opinion how much story and descriptivness enriche each other in tha main bulk of the story? I would like to prepare myself with some better idea before reading Eye of the World. Thanks in advance.

 

This series contains the finest and most detailed world-building that I have read. If you like that and epic journey stories then these books are for you. There is a fair amount of political intrigue if you like that kind of thing. The magic system is pretty original and fun.

 

On the downside, the descriptiveness that you noticed in New Spring is like that throughout the series. I feel that it helps picture the world more fully but many people feel its unnecessary and redundant.

 

But obviously since I'm posting on a fan site I would highly recommend giving the series a try as it is my favorite epic fantasy series.

[Feral]

The rest of the serious isn't quite as descriptive most of the time, I'd say, and there's a good deal more action in most of the main books.

 

And yeah, be careful on these forums cos even topic titles can give important things away.

 

Hmm...not sure I would agree with this.

 

It is widely admitted that books 7-10 were very slow, complicated and that not too much happens; especially concerning action relevant to the main plot (The Last Battle). Jordan was criticized for having indulged a little too much in those books and does sacrifice intensity in favor of describing settings, locations, costumes and such.

you don't want to know any spoilers, try to avoid these forums, at least until you've read most of the books.

 

Which is why I said "most" ;) I'll admit there are a few books that were rather slow and without much action. But once you're that involved with the story lines, I think you'll find it worth pushing on.

[Darth Krewl]

Which is why I said "most" ;) I'll admit there are a few books that were rather slow and without much action. But once you're that involved with the story lines, I think you'll find it worth pushing on.

 

Which is why I said "not sure I agreed" ;-P

 

Seriously now, with this, I do agree 100%. In fact, the only thing that kept me going after LoC and until TGS (I didn't even like KoD that much) was that I loved the first 6 books so much and was already too hooked on the series not to know how it would all end heh heh

 

The good definitely outweighs the bad, yep.

[username13]

If you begin the series (and you better!) and you want to come to these boards for questions, clarifications etc you can create your own topic thread for it. Two other people starting the series have done that (Coz and Phenom). Just jump into your thread as you progress through the series or a new thought comes to you and we'll answer as best we can without spoiling it

 

Edit: Maybe get used to the term RAFO though... (Read And Find Out)

[blazetheearth]

Starting with New Spring will cause some of the revelations that come out during the series a bit anti-climactic. I have seen it elsewhere that it would be better to read 1-5 then go back and read book 0 (New Spring). The first written and published is not New Spring, The first book is The Eye of the World. It is definitely the book that should be read first, IMO. Here's a hint, even on re-reads, of which I am up to around the 20 range, I skip New Spring most of the time and when I do include it I still don't read it until after I read book 4 or 5. New Spring is overly descriptive for many things, but it is not really a very good narrative as a whole, IMO.

 

As far a s staying off the boards....I sort of agree. If you spend enough time here then there will be no surprises at all in the series for you. I would say that if you want input from the people here, then you should only look at the topics you start, and you should label them with the 'No Spoilers" tag and tell everyone which book of the series you are reading in your opening post, both of these things will help you in getting answers to questions while not revealing anything that you will learn in the course of the novels as you read them.

 

And I would definitely encourage you to read them. Whether or not you come back to DM, I would recommend this series to anyone who likes Fantasy. It is on a scale with Conan, but the difference is, that until RJ died, there had only been one author. This ensures a continuity that worlds like the Conan universe cannot match. All in all WoT is a very enjoyable read.

 

BTW: BWB means the Big White Book...officially titled "the World of Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time". It is not a 'necessary' read to understand the series, but it is laid out like a reference book and gives a lot on the history and cultures of the lands depicted in the WoT books. Good luck and I hope you become a long time reader.

[Kaznen]

And stay off this board until after your first read through.

 

 

I just wanted to say, both for Kaznen here and for Samwell Tarly (the original poster), that this comment was probably not intended to sound how it sounds. Samwell, when you read this, Kaznen no doubt meant to warn you to stay off the boards (until you've read more) because many of the conversations here will spoil the story for you. I doubt he meant it like a "stay outta here, or else!" kind of comment.

 

 

Then again...

Well the spoilers do have a major factor but there are other reasons.

 

Sometimes a newb will post their "startling theory" that [this bad guy] is really [that bad guy] (the guy who posted that example had just finished tGH) and we were all like, "um, yeah, duh, it is pointed out in the next book."

 

Then their are also the few people who haven't read the whole series (given right now ToM is an exception) but still insist on "playing with the big boys (and girls)" they will argue hard on one topic when their argument was already dis-proven in a later book (Again right now its okay if it was dis proven in ToM because it has only been out a little over a month. And a few of them I got so sick of arguing with I flat out ignored their posts. Which wasn't very friendly but I was sick of there crap. Now, if they want to post on the social groups or the non WoT threads, go for it, or even the Structured Wheel of Time discussion thread. But newbies should stay off the General Discussion thread for there better enjoyment of the books and ours as well.

 

Sorry if I come across as a jerk but that's how I feel. If you're doing your first read though you should be spending your time reading the books then reading this forum and post about them.

 

BTW: I do know of one long time DM memember who hasn't read past WH. And they still come to DM and have fun.

[Sid]

I would say reading the novella New Spring before the main series of WoT books would be akin to reading any of those 'Legends' short stories before reading their respective series up to the point they were when the book was released. I think it might give away a little bit more than the other series' novellas though, so I highly recommend reading at least books 1-7 before checking out New Spring the Novel and/or Robert Jordan's World of the Wheel of Time (Big White Book) if not even further into the series.

[Lynchgrinch]

I'm agreeing with the peeps here who say not to read new spring first, it's a great read Deffo....but save it untill later and it will read much better.

 

I'd do a full read through up to book 13 and then go back to New Spring and it will be a much better read, you'll know whats going on and will be re-visiting much loved and awesome characters.

[moratcorlm]

I don't think it's necessarily a bad idea to read New Spring: The Novel before the main sequence books. Eye of the World is not terribly well-written, often rather boring, and is really screwy toward the end–not quite 2001 level, but it still doesn't make a great deal of sense to me after several re-reads; New Spring might give a first-time reader the juice to make it through some of it. Books 2 and 3 are better, and the series really hits its stride in Book 4. There's a lull in (variously) books 7-10, books 9-10, or just book 10, but it's somewhat overstated; you're able to read it straight through and won't feel cheated by having waited several years for essentially half a book.

[Samwell Tarly]

Thanks for your answers! I will avoid spoilers but it´s pleasent to be among you...

[mb]

I am a kind of reader that does not mind spoilers. If you are also, the Encyclopaedia site has info from this series.