First Time Reading the First Book

[Always Sunny]

Argh. For some reason I cannot comment on my own blog. I try, I delete, I try again, I edit, I don't know what's going on. So I'll just write something here and try to fix it again.

 

Everyone keeps saying that the Aiel look like white Irish and that they might not be so different than the Andoran people. It's a common thread.

 

The thing I want to point out is that everyone outside of Two Rivers see Rand as an Aiel. Even if the Aiel were somehow perfect clones of the Two Rivers people the fact still remains that people outside of Two Rivers (from as different cultures as Ogier, Shienarian, and Caemlynite) automatically see a difference between Rand and his village friends. Rand is half-white Irish while the others don't have a drop white-Irish blood in them. The fact that everyone sees this means that there is a real physical difference.

 

The only reason why Emond's Field is cool about this would be that if Kari al'Thor were Aiel. The villagers must have seen her since she lived the last years of her life and was buried in Two Rivers.

 

This makes me wonder why Tam married an Aiel woman (who was not Rand's biological mother, or course) if he was fighting against the Aiel in that war. Hmm...

[Pilz]

LOL - Paris Hilton! Awesome :)

 

And you are right, she is an important character (unfortunately ;)).

 

I didn't remember that Elaida was knitting. Seems odd that she would be knitting when a false dragon is in town. Especially since she is a Red.

[capuga]

Argh. For some reason I cannot comment on my own blog. I try, I delete, I try again, I edit, I don't know what's going on. So I'll just write something here and try to fix it again.

 

Everyone keeps saying that the Aiel look like white Irish and that they might not be so different than the Andoran people. It's a common thread.

 

The thing I want to point out is that everyone outside of Two Rivers see Rand as an Aiel. Even if the Aiel were somehow perfect clones of the Two Rivers people the fact still remains that people outside of Two Rivers (from as different cultures as Ogier, Shienarian, and Caemlynite) automatically see a difference between Rand and his village friends. Rand is half-white Irish while the others don't have a drop white-Irish blood in them. The fact that everyone sees this means that there is a real physical difference.

 

The only reason why Emond's Field is cool about this would be that if Kari al'Thor were Aiel. The villagers must have seen her since she lived the last years of her life and was buried in Two Rivers.

 

This makes me wonder why Tam married an Aiel woman (who was not Rand's biological mother, or course) if he was fighting against the Aiel in that war. Hmm...

 

From the Two Rivers' point of view, nobody but Tam has ever seen an Aiel. So they have no reason to think that Kari or Rand look similar to these fabled warrior race. To them, Rand's just a tall guy with lighter hair and eyes then the rest of the villagers. Which is explained by his outlander mother. But they don't have anything else to compare that to.

[David Selig]

The people in Two Rivers (apart from Rand) are all dark-haired with dark eyes, and shorter than him.On the other hand, in Andor most are dark haired, but blondes and even redheads with blue or gray eyes aren't that uncommon (Elayne, Gawyn, Else Grinwell's mother, etc) and there are some people almost as tall as Aiel. Kari al'Thor was red-haired with gray eyes (not a spoiler, this was pointed out in EOTW somewhere).

[Agitel]

The people in Two Rivers (apart from Rand) are all dark-haired with dark eyes, and shorter than him.On the other hand, in Andor most are dark haired, but blondes and even redheads with blue or gray eyes aren't that uncommon (Elayne, Gawyn, Else Grinwell's mother, etc) and there are some people almost as tall as Aiel. Kari al'Thor was red-haired with gray eyes (not a spoiler, this was pointed out in EOTW somewhere).

 

Yes, Rand thinks back on his mother. She died when he was young, but he conjures up memories of what she looked like on Winternight, and she had fair skin, red hair and light eyes. As for Aiel ethnicity comparisons, I'd say they're more Scandinavian than Irish. What really sets them apart is their height, fair skin and consistently light eye color. But nobody in the Two Rivers other than Tam has ever seen one. Rand is just exceptionally tall by their standards, but Tam's wife was a red-haired outlander so they don't think too much of it. Think of the Two Rivers people as being Englishmen and Rand as having some features similar to a Scandinavian. In addition to all of this they watched Rand grow up. If he just came to the village one day as a foreigner they'd probably find him odd-looking.

 

There's more to Rand's looks than just looking Aiel, though, so he might fit in better than you think. RAFO.

[MasterAblar]

LOL - Paris Hilton! Awesome :)

 

And you are right, she is an important character (unfortunately ;)).

 

I didn't remember that Elaida was knitting. Seems odd that she would be knitting when a false dragon is in town. Especially since she is a Red.

 

There were already red sisters looking after Logain, no need for her to be there. And her job is to be the queen's advisor, so she should probably be right where she is.

[Erunion]

From Elaida's POV, she knits because it helps her think, and also because it throws people off.

[Aquarius]

Always sunny,

 

You said earlier that when a character you dislike does something good, you see that in the light of your assumptions, instead of changing your opinion about them. There is only so much stretching you can do this way. Somewhere in those books those "good" character will do something you won't possibly avoid. are you prepared for that ? Will you deny that as much as you can ? (as the saying goes... never let reality interfere with your ideology)

 

Anyway that last post was good. Even more rant than before, but less sexism which hunt.

[Thanatos]

Always Sunny, I have been following your posts and let me say, I do love them.

 

The "sexism" discussions do not and will not bother me. I agree to a certain extent with your opinions on it, and disagree about other points.

 

It is always great to get thoughts of a first time reader since I read tEotW for the first time in 1993. And when I read it I was all of ten years old, so I missed a ton of stuff.

 

Many of the theories that you come up with, whether meant as joke, or are serious, can be eerily accurate, or completely wrong. Ahhhh the beauty of being a WoT virgin.

 

Hope you love the series as much as the rest of us do, and don't get too worried over people getting heated over some of your remarks. We are all just so passionate about this series.

 

Keep up the good work on the posts, and hopefully you can maintain it all the way through the end of the series.

 

Just my thoughts.

[b9anders]

Perrin doesn't really have a plan so he's just milling around waiting for a plot to get swept up in.

 

'twas ever thus.

[Always Sunny]

Alright. So we are a little further in the story. Three more chapters down.

 

The fellowship sits down and discusses things for two chapters. Things have stalled. We were running from Trollocs in Shadar Logoth, running from ravens up in those grasslands, running from Fades in Whitebridge, and running from Darkfriends along Caemlyn Road. Lots of action, sometimes confusing and sometimes annoying, but it was happening. Here we've slowed down way, way too much. First Bunt talked about the Queen, Loial talked about trees, and now Moiraine talks about their plans. Talk, talk, talk. Chapter after chapter. What's up with that?

 

But luckily enough, by the end they are on their way. The fellowship jumps in the Ways and start doing stuff again. I'm happy with that. Even if it means that we'll never again worry about Ogier stuff or Caemlyn stuff. I know this is supposed to be a setup for a series but couldn't the scenes with Queen Morgase have been moved to a later book? What was its purpose in this one? What's Perrin's point in the story? He could have been left behind, like Ewin, and just showed up later when his Wolf Powers are needed for the story.

 

That's how I'd write it. But I'm not a writer so what do I know? Yeah, that's right: very little. So let's just read what a successful writer wrote. Or we can read my next blog post:

 

Remembrance of Dreams, Decisions and Apparitions, The Dark Along the Ways

[UGAShadow]

I think you are wrong in your assumption. I don't think the guy in the EotW prologue ever called himself Ba'alzamon. Don't have my book with me, but I'm like 95% sure of that.

[Always Sunny]

I think you are wrong in your assumption. I don't think the guy in the EotW prologue ever called himself Ba'alzamon. Don't have my book with me, but I'm like 95% sure of that.

 

The guy in the prologue said he served the Dark One and that he and Lews were in a never-ending fight. Then Ba'alzamon dream-said that he was in a never-ending fight with Lews, too. I assumed that they were the same guy but maybe I was wrong about that. Ha, maybe Lews Therin just has a bunch of never-ending battles with lots of people. Everyone in the book goes back and forth between calling him Ba'alzamon and implying that he's the Dark One. Maybe he is the Dark One, then.

 

But, yeah, the guy in the prologue never called himself Ba'alzamon. It's just another one of those assumptions I made about the story. I probably got it wrong, too. But you all have known that since I first mentioned it!

[Byzantine279]

I can't say anything about that without spoiling it, but you will learn more in the end of the 3rd book. And one thing: stick to your original theories, no reason to quit just cause a few show doubt, some just like testing you. Though of course I won't say what is wrong or what is right, that would be too easy :).

[A2597]

You're about to learn why they didn't use the ways from the get go. In part, Moriaine can't navigate them, and two....Machin Shin. (both of which you already know about).

 

That and when they left the two rivers I don't think she expected Trolloc Armies to pop up out of nowhere.

[mpk22]

Hey Sunny.

 

Can you tell us where you are in the actual read at this point? Have you finished TGH yet? I know the blog posts are behind. Sorry if you just answered this recently and I missed it. Just curious.

[sVieira151]

Even if it means that we'll never again worry about Ogier stuff or Caemlyn stuff.

 

I know this is supposed to be a setup for a series but couldn't the scenes with Queen Morgase have been moved to a later book? What was its purpose in this one? What's Perrin's point in the story? He could have been left behind.[/center]

 

oh, you will. Just not the now

 

Also, I don't see any other place Morgase's meeting could have been. For a start, they are going through Caemlyn, so its a good place to put it. 2nd, it lets you meet characters who you will be getting familiar with - Elayne, Gawyn, Elaida and Morgase. I can't remember if Elaida is mentioned/seen in tGH, but if you are far enough in it, then you can see a reasoning for the others.

 

And Perrin's story? Well, not sure if it counts as a spoiler, 'cause you have mentioned it in the blog, but all three of the boys are getting nightmares from Ba'alzamon. He(B'a) thinks any one of them could be the Dragon Reborn. If Perrin was left, who's to say how much more the EF would be destroyed and Perrin would be captured? And if Perrin wasn't the Dragon Reborn? Well, he would have just been fed to some Trollocs and then B'a would only have to figure it out between Mat and Rand. At least, thats how I see it. There is anotehr reason to see from his POV this book, but to reveal that would be Spoilerific!

 

Also, the loss of one ta'averen might fuck shit right up!

 

[Feral]

What's Perrin's point in the story?

 

He doesn't have one... Just my opinion, of course.

 

Btw, you keep mentioning both Nynaeve and Egwene dying if they don't get training. Nynaeve won't die, she's one of the lucky ones who managed to get passed that stage on her own.

[Always Sunny]

I know today is April Fool's Day but I expect no shenanigans from you people. Wheel of Time is serious business.

 

You said earlier that when a character you dislike does something good, you see that in the light of your assumptions, instead of changing your opinion about them. There is only so much stretching you can do this way.

 

Ha, I think you fail to understand just how far I can stretch things!

 

Somewhere in those books those "good" character will do something you won't possibly avoid. are you prepared for that ? Will you deny that as much as you can ? (as the saying goes... never let reality interfere with your ideology)

 

I hope there comes a time when a good character does something bad. It'd make the book seem more real. So far most of the characters are one trick ponies. Moiraine is an Aes Sedai and nothing more. Lan is a reluctant super-warrior and nothing more (though he's been getting romantic here lately). Rand is a confused messiah, Mat is a prankster jerk, Perrin is a confused wolfman, Egwene is a wannabe, and so on. I want Rand to start doing super heroic things (or super evil things, just to break up the blandness). I want to see Moiraine do an act of undeniable good (it'd be out of character for her but I'd still like to see it!). I'm looking forward to all that.

 

 

 

Okay, three more chapters down. We are in the home stretch! I can see the end from here. I've got about ten more chapters to share with ya'll. So that means we'll be done with this book next Friday? Yeah, that sounds right.

 

Not very much happens in these chapters. You may have guessed, but chapters where nothing happens are the chapters I like the least. Two thirds of what I'm writing about happen in the same room. One third is about the fellowship getting from the Waygate to that room in Fal Dara.

 

A lot of cool things happen off camera, though. There's torture, war, violence, anguish. But that's all glossed over to get to Moiraine and Agelmar talking about stuff. Lan's history and Padan Fain's history, to be specific. I wasn't impressed with 'em.

 

I enjoyed the rescue from the Whitecloaks. I enjoyed Moiraine fighting the Whitecloaks in Baerlon. I enjoyed Rand getting away from the Trollocs and saving his father back at the farm. I don't like reading a story about people telling stories. That's what these chapters are all about.

 

Wouldn't it have been awesome to read the Fall of Malkier as a short story in some Wheel of Time anthology collection? Get to see the characters up close and personal, see what they're doing and their feelings? Instead we get Rand sitting at a table listening to Agelmar's one-sided retelling of the story, fifty years after the fact. It has the same impact as someone telling you about the Eye of the World book instead of you reading it for yourself (or reading my blog about the book).

 

But maybe that's the way fantasy books go. It is the way fantasy movies go. The same with RPGs. Maybe it's an aspect of the genre that rubs me the wrong way.

 

Anyway, faithful readers, on with the show!

 

 

[Everstar]

I hated those chapters too i just wanted rand and perrin and mat to ask some frigging questions i dont remeber what i wanted them to ask but if i was there and i was one of them i wouldnt of kept my mouth shut!

[aball]

Alright you got me. I can't say I'm happy about it but I did chuckle.

[Elend]

Rand is, in fact, a shiny rock that everyone just calls Rand and acts like is a person. I'm serious. Its the big reveal in book 3. Along with the Ba'alzamon just being a rock collector. Its weird, but an awesome climax.

[RyanL24]

I know I'm running behind on reading the blog, but while reading it I was inspired to write this alternate WoT short story....

 

 

 

Shelter from the Storm, Footprints in the Air, Eyes Without Pity

 

Chapter 1: The Dark One's Good Idea

 

Rand and Tam al'Thor walk down the Quarry Road with a cart and horse. Even though spring should have arrived, the wind is still carrying an icy chill sending gusts of cold through Rand. He is holding a bow and arrow, ready to draw quickly. It doesn't help as thousands of ravens swoop down upon Emond's Field and kill every woman, infant, and man over thirty.

 

Bool! The End!

[UGAShadow]

What you have to understand about Fantasy (and Sci-Fi for the most part) is that its set in a whole different world than ours. When someone is writing a drama in Eastern Europe you don't have to explain what happened to the Soviet Union because everyone knows what happened to it.

 

 

In Fantasy, their is a whole history that happened before you got your small glimpse at the world. Without alot of exposition the world is just going to feel bland, unoriginal and empty. In a world as vast as the WoTWorld you've got alot of history.

 

 

BTW, Trollocs using the Ways is a bad idea usually. The Black Wind likes Trollocs it would seem.

 

 

Also, I like your reaction to Fain. You'll understand how he survived Machin Shin later.

 

 

Also, I've always saw a little of the Superman origin story in Lan's story haha. He's also called the Uncrowned King for a reason. He's never been "voted" in as King.

 

 

Can you let us know where you are in the reading now? Its hard not to give up spoilers without knowing where you are.

[sVieira151]

Enjoyed reading another blog from you, only 3 points to make out. Only one got me annoyed though.

 

1. I think Egwene is older than you assume, by 1, maybe 2 years. There is only 1.5/2 years difference between her and Rand, i'm sure. At least thats how I seen it

 

2. Normally, I don't mind reading from your views, I'm an open person like that(though I assume that makes me more hateworthy for never choosing a side in arguments) and I can definately see your point in most of your sexism remarks/comments. I can also see reasons why you may also dislike certain parts of the book people say you will like(because of Fem Dom) but I won't say it, just so you can keep an open mind till you get there. Anyways,

 

Rand makes one more attempt to be a misogynist asshole. He begs Egwene and Nynaeve to go away, to leave the fight ahead to the menfolk. After all, they have vaginas. You can't fight Trollocs and Fades if you have a vagina. That's not sexist, okay? That's science.

 

Of course what you wrote there is Sexist. But how do you know thats how Rand view's it? Does every guy who wants to protect somebody think that because they have a Vagina they can't do what is required? Does everything have to come down to whether or not I have a Vagina or Penis to determine what I can or cannot do?

 

One could argue he thinks they should leave because in all reality they shouldn't be there(they should. The Wheel decided, but Rand don't know that ). They don't have any reasons to tag along to the Eye of the World, do they? What purpose do they serve? They're not ta'averen. Dark One don't need them. They're needlessly putting themselves in danger(regardless whether they have a Vagina or not).

 

But the reason they are following? Well, Egwene wants to get to the WT, fair enough. She doesnt want to get sick or kill herself without proper training. Nynaeve? Well, she wants to get them all back to EF, y'know. Save them from Moiraine. Keep an eye on them till they all get safely back. She just wants to protect the Egwene and the boys. And in a way she is winning, after all, she hasn't been forced away by any male yet. Still tagging along.

 

Anyways, one could also argue, yeah Rand is a sexist. He doesn't like women coming to harm, doesnt want them to get injured/dead when he's responsible(yeah, he isnt directly responsible in EotW, which makes it worse I 'spose) and he just wants to straight out protect them. Yeah, I can see from your POV why you may dislike him(or the TR in general) for this.

 

In a way Rand fits in both arguments, but more so the latter. But don't worry, he get's in shit later on for it! So you don't really have to keep pointing out that Rand does something which makes you think he thinks vagina's are inferior to penises(that's the plural, right? )

 

and finally,

 

3. When you said:

 

The boys laugh at their ability to fluster Egwene, congratulating each other with fist bumps as she stumbles away from the group. Congratulations, Boys, you've managed to embarrass a fifteen year-old girl. Fucking heroes.

 

Okay, I'm not sure if this is a joke or serious. But if you're serious, then why so harsh? They are friends, its a joke. Did you never makes jokes with your friends about a boy they liked? Or make jokes to a guy a bout a girl they liked? Those jokes tend to be embarrasing, no? I don't see whats so different here. If the roles were switched(3 girls, 1 boy) would you have thought the same about it? Would you have said "Fucking Heroes"? Or would have been "That's how you show it to the guys!"? or something similar(or something milder. I may be exaggerating). I woulda seen it as a joke.

 

Also on the continuing Aram thing, you serious about the whole 'more than a dance/they had sex' part? Because I am 100% they were all brought up with the view that sex before marriage is looked down upon greatly. Im not basing this off further evidence from later books, but primarily off the fact it was looked down upon when my gran was young(and probably a bit later too. I'm not overly informed in this area). This isn't that long ago, so I can assume that view would have been very similar in the 1700's/1800's or in the sorta timeframe WoT is set. Also don't ask me what punishments men got back then for sex before marriage compared to the women. You never hear any of these stories, mainly 'cause y'know, they were sexist back then.

 

I hope your joking from the quote, but It's hard for me to tell. My social retardation(not really. Just feels like it) doesn't allow me to judge correctly whether you are joking or not

 

I'm not very good at arguing/discussion/debate because I usually come out on the wrong end of it, but these are my attempts. I like to see things from both perspectives, always, before making a decision. I suppose thats why I'm not very good.

 

Anyways, besides those 3 points(and some others, but I would have to spoiler them ) I do enjoy reading your blogs. It is funny, and it lets me see things that I didnt see before.

 

One minor thing I dislike though is the references to real life(like al quaeda and stuff like that). I kinda read/play/watch Fantasy to get away from that, but I suppose I can deal with it