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Forums -> Bookworm -> Borders Meeting - Monday April 5 question

Borders Meeting - Monday April 5 question

#1 - 11th Jan 2008 06:20:00

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Hiya,

meant to bend the ear of one reader last night, and with my memory for names I can't even name you whoever you were <img src=">

A young lady made a note of one of the books she had read (I assume one of the books from the selection last month).

The comment was that the book was "It (the book) was only OK, but it read like I was playing a game of D&D" What I wanted to find out, was what it was about the book that read that way, what the book was (could it have been Aragon? I heard that title but as it was my first night I was trying to take in more than one brain's worth of information at once <img src="> )



Hopefully you're a regular here and can fill in the gaps. In case it's not obvious I like to taly any aspects of books people feel are only 'OK' and ensuring I don't replicate those aspects myself <img src=">

#2 - 6th Apr 2004 23:30:00

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i believe that said book was "Wizard's First Rule" by Terry Goodkind...

and they can say what they like, coz i enjoyed it and that's all that matters...

in fact, :crazy & :moon to everyone who says that the series is not so good after about book 3 or something... im halfway through the newest one, and have enjoyed them all...
(although 'pillars of creation', the 2nd most recent is i think my least favourite... only read it once so far tho :P)

#3 - 7th Apr 2004 10:30:00

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:lol
Thanks for the title clarification, but I'm sorry Bob, you'll just have to stop hiding your feelings on the books. Tell us how you really feel <img src=">



Seriously though; it was the only metaphor/simile used to describe a reading experience I managed to pick up that didn't involve a groan followed by jokes about three sisters :lol
~ducks under the rotten fruit thrown his way~

So I wanted to get some expansion on the thought... Maybe a couple of paragraphs read out etc. but I didn't want to seem too demanding on my first meeting. I'll wait at least until the second Borders before being obnoxious <img src=">

Right or wrong for one reader, will invariably be the opposite for another. I think truly great writing manages to skate the grey borders in between.

My only rule is never stop learning hence my question <img src=">

Edited by: Terame at: 4/7/04 10:18 am

#4 - 7th Apr 2004 18:39:00

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how many pages of praise for books should i post for your perusal, terame?

#5 - 9th Apr 2004 15:27:00

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Hey there,

being the young lady in question (aren't you sweet <img src="> I thought maybe I should clarify... it was 'Aragon' I was referring to with the D&D comment. Great read, nicely structured, good dialogue.... but yes, nary an original idea to be found throughout <img src=">

The "races" and the "magic" had very much the feel of D&D, and if you think about it, a campaign journal is a pretty good place to start if you're developing a story/plot and testing characters against one another.

In terms of the originality there were many references but the most obvious being the chapter called, "in the Hall of the Mountain King", part tribute, part in-joke, but inappropriate when the actual text is considered <img src=">

Still, the whole thing was an enjoyable read, dare I say somewhat more sophisticated than other kiddy-fan such as Harry Pot-head <img src=">

hehe


L.

#6 - 9th Apr 2004 19:47:00

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Woohoo,

Thanks for that elaynara. I realy wanted to find out what those features that were el-D&D-oh and you've covered it nicely.

Now for the spooky part. As I have been writing, the characters struck me as needing more depth.
So rather than change people's ideas about races I developed my own. With the closest thing to an elf being

#7 - 9th Apr 2004 19:52:00

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Woohoo,

Thanks for that elaynara. I realy wanted to find out what those features that were el-D&D-oh and you've covered it nicely.

Now for the spooky part. As I have been writing, the characters struck me as needing more depth.

So rather than change people's ideas about races that have been hashed and rehashed ad nauseum. I was silly enough to start developing my own.

Why spooky? Because before that I was thinking of going down the safe, tried and true direction where people would have their preconceived ideas in place for everyone I introduced them too.

Damn sounds boring when I say it THAT way :lol

Anyway thanks for the input <img src=">

#8 - 10th Apr 2004 20:09:00

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You're welcome <img src=">

I suppose the thing that always strikes me is that there is always a place for well written work, regardless of whether it is 'original' or emersed in the established mythos of the genre...

mind you I do prefer something with a bit more challenging philosophical underpinning, and the odd sophisticated character or two, and maybe a little less of the good/evil = black/white in preference for complexity in shades of grey...

... but then I am the club heretic :wink2

L.

#9 - 12th Jan 2005 10:41:05

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Eragon I am assuming you are talking about. By Christopher Paolini? I began reading that, and my first impression was it was indeed written by a young author. My next impression was it was an almost direct take-off of Lord of the Rings. Then I got my hands on the next two books in 'The Liveship Trader's' trilogy by Robin Hobb and forgot all about Eragon. Heh.