Remembering/rediscovering things upon rereading the books (up to KoD)

[Martok]

For those who missed my introduction (hey everyone! <waves>), I've recently begun rereading the series for the first time in 6-7 years.  (I'll also be reading the Sanderson books for the first time, once I get that far.)  Anyway, I've admittedly forgotten a lot about the series in the interregnum, and I felt like starting a thread so I could jot down and share some of the things I'm enjoying rediscovering/remembering about these excellent books. 

 

As a general observation, one thing I'd forgotten was the amount of humor in these books.  Not that I recalled the series as being a completely serious, 100% drama-fest or anything like that, but neither do I remember it having as many genuinely funny, laugh-out-loud moments (or at least snicker-out-loud moments) as I've encountered thus far.  Perhaps that's just more the case in the earlier books (I'm still in the first couple hundred pages of The Shadow Rising); but for the time being, at least, I'm pleasantly surprised by all the funny moments & scenes I've come across to date. 

 

Another aspect I'm getting a kick out of:  In my introductory thread, I listed some of the characters I particularly enjoy.  Well now, I get to remember *why* I like said characters so much.  A specific example:  I just read the scene where Rhuarc breaks up the fight between Faile and Barelain in the Stone.  I find the way he treats them like a couple of errant daughters to be both awesome and hilarious; and looking back, I believe it was that scene (the first time I read it) that established Rhuarc as one of my favorite characters in the series. 

 

 

Fun!! 

 

 

[NeverTame]

Yup, that's definitely the best part of rereading, especially after such a long time. :D

[dawnflower8]

I actually skipped over whole characters the first time I read the book. (like Asmodean) and after re-reading some of them, I've realized Asmodean's one of my favorites.

[mb]

Am in my 3rd time through this series.  Currently at Fires of Heaven.

Was in my first time through roughly several years ago; and in my second time through roughly a year ago.

 

Mostly remember the general plot, but not much details.

It is like that with any fiction I re-read.

[Barid Bel Medar]

I actually skipped over whole characters the first time I read the book. (like Asmodean) and after re-reading some of them, I've realized Asmodean's one of my favorites.

 

How on earth did that happen?! 

 

You must have really skipped out a lot of things! You will definitely enjoy re-reading I think. I'd advise taking it a lot slower this time, there is so much in the little details to appreciate. 

[Orderofolde]

I can't believe that I spaced Perrin at his family farm with the graves.  Heard that on my audiobook the other night and it was awesome to hear that he actually visited, though Loial doesn't end up singing to them.

[dawnflower8]

 

I actually skipped over whole characters the first time I read the book. (like Asmodean) and after re-reading some of them, I've realized Asmodean's one of my favorites.

 

How on earth did that happen?! 

 

You must have really skipped out a lot of things! You will definitely enjoy re-reading I think. I'd advise taking it a lot slower this time, there is so much in the little details to appreciate. 

 

I don't know...one of the disadvantages of reading so quickly. I know this sounds weird, but I don't know how to read slowly XD

[magatsu17]

 

 

I actually skipped over whole characters the first time I read the book. (like Asmodean) and after re-reading some of them, I've realized Asmodean's one of my favorites.

 

How on earth did that happen?! 

 

You must have really skipped out a lot of things! You will definitely enjoy re-reading I think. I'd advise taking it a lot slower this time, there is so much in the little details to appreciate. 

 

I don't know...one of the disadvantages of reading so quickly. I know this sounds weird, but I don't know how to read slowly XD

 

I was the same way first time i read the series, i skipped parts of characters i didn't carefor in order to read the parts a characters i liked.  But when rereading i suggest you make sure not to skip anything this time.  There are so many awesome details and little things that you miss in the series if you skip parts.

[Mefista]

On the 3rd re-read, suddenly discovered that 3rd book specifically mentions myrddraal jumping in something like real-life slo-mo.

 

The Myrddraal’s leap from the roof of the hut seemed to take too long, and its dead black cloak

hung during the slow fall as if the Halfman were standing on the ground already.

Weeird

[Martok]

Oh yeah, just finished The Shadow Rising yesterday, btw.  I'd forgotten just how hilarious Elayne's drunk scene was!  Also, Gaul's comment on women (in response to Perrin's inqury into whether he enjoyed playing Maiden's Kiss with Bain and Chiad) cracks me up every single time I read it. 

 

 

Other observations: 

 

The first couple times I read the series, I didn't really/fully understand how/why Perrin ellicited the reponse he did from the Two Rivers folks when he stirred them up to fight back against the Trollocs, specifically with them beginning to treat him like a lord.  After all this time, I think I finally get it. 

 

Egwene is a little more pushy (and perhaps slightly more of a jerk at times) than I'd first realized.  I still like her character, though. 

 

I think I like Elayne even more now than when I first began reading this series.  Yes, she can be haughty/arrogant (and at the wrong times), and in general, she can exhibit an odd lack of commen sense on occasion.  But overall, she's got a good head on her shoulders (with an especial talent for statecraft & diplomacy), a good heart, and as I believe Birgitte has noted, she has the courage of a lion. 

 

Oh yes, and Thom rules.  :) 

[Willez]

I'm listening to the audiobooks now after reading the series and its brilliant hearing things I had forgotten and also new things I had missed!

[dawnflower8]

 

 

 

I actually skipped over whole characters the first time I read the book. (like Asmodean) and after re-reading some of them, I've realized Asmodean's one of my favorites.

 

How on earth did that happen?! 

 

You must have really skipped out a lot of things! You will definitely enjoy re-reading I think. I'd advise taking it a lot slower this time, there is so much in the little details to appreciate. 

 

I don't know...one of the disadvantages of reading so quickly. I know this sounds weird, but I don't know how to read slowly XD

 

I was the same way first time i read the series, i skipped parts of characters i didn't carefor in order to read the parts a characters i liked.  But when rereading i suggest you make sure not to skip anything this time.  There are so many awesome details and little things that you miss in the series if you skip parts.

 

This time I'm not. I remember rushing through any parts just about the Forsaken in general, with the exception of Lanfear. (And they are actually such interesting characters...I feel very ashamed of myself)

[KnightofMight19]

 

 

 

 

I actually skipped over whole characters the first time I read the book. (like Asmodean) and after re-reading some of them, I've realized Asmodean's one of my favorites.

 

How on earth did that happen?! 

 

You must have really skipped out a lot of things! You will definitely enjoy re-reading I think. I'd advise taking it a lot slower this time, there is so much in the little details to appreciate. 

 

I don't know...one of the disadvantages of reading so quickly. I know this sounds weird, but I don't know how to read slowly XD

 

I was the same way first time i read the series, i skipped parts of characters i didn't carefor in order to read the parts a characters i liked.  But when rereading i suggest you make sure not to skip anything this time.  There are so many awesome details and little things that you miss in the series if you skip parts.

 

This time I'm not. I remember rushing through any parts just about the Forsaken in general, with the exception of Lanfear. (And they are actually such interesting characters...I feel very ashamed of myself)

 

That's funny, the Forsaken chapters were some of my favourites for the political intrigue and games they play with each other. They also give us valuable insights into their character and make us feel their deaths more. My favourite's would be Demandred in the Pit of Doom, Graendal's frustrattion over Demandred and Aran'Gar's musings about Moridin.

[Martok]

Update:  I've now begun Winter's Heart, and have just finished reading the part where Elayne and Aviendha become first-sisters.  I have to say that, while I'd vaguely recalled it being a touching scene, I'd forgotten just how true that was.  I actually had a lump in my throat by the time I was done rereading it.  Very well-written. 

[DemandredFO]

I'm on KOD and it makes me wonder how full the notes were concerning the Last Battle

[Barid Bel Medar]

I'm on KOD and it makes me wonder how full the notes were concerning the Last Battle

 

Less than one would think knowing how RJ had a lot of notes. Brandon has said something to the effect of some 200 pages of notes including some written/partially written scenes. He has said that he had to create 50% of the material that we see in the three books. Having said that, RJ was adamant of finishing the series in one book. I know that people are sceptical, but if he did plan this, then he may not have included some of the things that were fleshed out in the last three books. (For example, and I'm only using this as an example, not that this is acutally true = Perrin's arc in ToM and aMoL may have been severely shortened (ironic no?) without the first big Slayer battle in ToM.) 

 

So really, we don't know how much he had planned, but I believe it is less than most would think. He left a lot of details - some very important ones, like the Black Tower- vague at best. 

[DemandredFO]

Like I said in another thread, I think Luckers three pronged Last Battle approach. The one massive battle approach left alot to be desired since it seemed a shadow attack on Tar Valon was forshadowed. There couldn't have been a siege like the trolloc wars but something should have been done. I mean Tylee mentioned the Wolfking prophecy and then she never works with Perrin again.

[Barid Bel Medar]

I personally agree with you, and that the Last Battle battle would have been different. With Brandon doing a lot of consultation on battle tactics and such, it leads me to believe that he had to come up with a lot of it himself. I think the Tar Valon invasion made sense, and other things, but again, RJ obviously didn't write it down if he planned to do it, and really should have if it was to be important. But we see he did not write down some important points. Perhaps this is because he thought he had more time before his death, perhaps he just couldn't get all the detail he wanted beforehand or he became too sick to do what he wanted, and perhaps left things out. 

[Martok]

Um, if we could avoid spoilers from the Sanderson novels in this particular thread, I'd appreciate it.  As I mentioned in the OP, I've only read the series up through KoD so far. 

[BFG]

Hi, welcome to the boards :)

 

I've edited the topic title to help people know it's only up to KoD...

[wotfan4472]

Well on my twentieth re read and at book four!! I know, a lot of times, but this series just sucks me in for the ride. I suspect I will be reading these books for the rest of my life. So enjoying reading these books.

[Martok]

Hi, welcome to the boards :)

 

I've edited the topic title to help people know it's only up to KoD...

Thanks BFG! 

[Martok]

Well I finished Crossroads of Twilight this morning, which means "The Slog" (books 7-10) is behind me at last. 

 

 

You know what, though?  It wasn't bad at all.  In fact, I every much enjoyed them -- as much as the rest of the series. 

 

I remembered those four books as being so difficult to get through, mostly because of how much slower-paced they were compared to the rest of the series -- a sentiment shared by quite a few people I know who've read the WoT novels -- to the point that I was honestly feeling more than a little dread at the prospect of rereading Crown of Swords.  Happily, though, I encountered very few difficulties this time around.  I'm not sure why that's so, but I'm obviously not about to complain either way.  :)   

 

Admittedly, the four books do still drag in spots -- the scene where Elayne & Nyneave apologize to a hung-over Mat in Ebou Dar remains as painful as ever (I pretty much skipped over it entirely this time), I continue to clench my fists in frustration at Perrin & co. floundering around after Faile gets kidnapped, and CoT in general does bog down a bit (though not horribly so) -- but I found that, happily, these were the exceptions to the rule.  By and large, my return trip through CoS, PoD, WH, and CoT was a pleasant surprise. 

[Magicana]

Well I finished Crossroads of Twilight this morning, which means "The Slog" (books 7-10) is behind me at last. 

 

 

You know what, though?  It wasn't bad at all.  In fact, I every much enjoyed them -- as much as the rest of the series. 

 

I remembered those four books as being so difficult to get through, mostly because of how much slower-paced they were compared to the rest of the series -- a sentiment shared by quite a few people I know who've read the WoT novels -- to the point that I was honestly feeling more than a little dread at the prospect of rereading Crown of Swords.  Happily, though, I encountered very few difficulties this time around.  I'm not sure why that's so, but I'm obviously not about to complain either way.  :)   

 

Admittedly, the four books do still drag in spots -- the scene where Elayne & Nyneave apologize to a hung-over Mat in Ebou Dar remains as painful as ever (I pretty much skipped over it entirely this time), I continue to clench my fists in frustration at Perrin & co. floundering around after Faile gets kidnapped, and CoT in general does bog down a bit (though not horribly so) -- but I found that, happily, these were the exceptions to the rule.  By and large, my return trip through CoS, PoD, WH, and CoT was a pleasant surprise. 

 

I've read on here that the books aren't so bad, the problem was just that people who read them on release were getting pretty edgy as the story slowed down and the release dates were further apart.

[Sabio]

@Magicana, For me that was the biggest issue.  It was starting to be 3 years per book so when you wait that long and then get POD, WH, COT, and KOD that made it even worse.   You wait that long and your expectations rise, so when they become some of the slower paced books you get extra frustrated.