A long week affording precious little in the way of reading time gave way to a weekend in which I was able to luxuriate in the written word. That gift of free time meant that I was able to gorge myself on Brandon Sanderson in order to be ready for this week’s group discussion.
Memory took over question duty for the week and you can find my potentially spoiler-laden answers after the jump. I’ll remind you that you can find the answers from each participant by checking in on Deanna’s The Way of Kings group read site.
Before checking out this week’s Q&A, I wanted to take a moment to congratulate artist Michael Whelan on his recent Chesley award for the cover illustration for The Way of Kings! Michael Whelan perfectly captured the spirit of this book with this painting.
With no further ado, let us begin.
1. Part III reunites us with Shallan, who we haven’t seen for a few hundred pages, and separates us from Dalinar and Adolin for a few hundred more. How do you feel about leaving characters behind for such long stretches? Did you lose any of your connection to them during the break?
A decade a more ago I think this sort of story might have bothered me more, but my late-in-life introduction to The Lord of the Rings and subsequent forays into the life of J.R.R. Tolkien have made me keenly interested in this type of story. I feel that leaving characters for long stretches both increases my interest in them and ratchets up the suspense of the story. No matter how much I have enjoyed each character’s arc, and I have enjoyed them all, I cannot help but wonder what might be going on with the characters we are not seeing at the time, especially since Sanderson does such a lovely job of leaving each character’s story at an intense moment.
I haven’t felt any loss of connection during the breaks from characters. If anything I feel more connected to them because I haven’t found myself overexposed to any of the story lines. The question of connectedness is an interesting one to be asked right now, as I was pondering that very thing this afternoon as I thought about the amount of time we may have to wait before Book Two of The Stormlight Archive is released. I am convinced that Sanderson’s restraint in the introduction of characters means that I am more apt to remember who everyone is and not lose a great deal of that connection while waiting for the story to continue. I am so glad that this thousand page hardback is not filled with hundreds of characters that I am going to have to remember. I have no doubt that when we return to the stories of Shallan, Kaladin, Dalinar, Adolin, Szeth, Navani, Jasnah that I’ll remember well who they are. And the handful of other important players in the story will hopefully stick well in my memory until we all meet again.
2. So far, how would you compare this to other epic fantasies you’ve read? Does it remind you of any other series?
I am not sure I have much by which to compare it, as epic fantasies are not something I have partaken of much in my reading lifetime. I’ve read The Lord of the Rings, of course, and Patricia A. McKillip’s The Riddlemaster of Hed trilogy. But other than that I cannot think of many other “epic” fantasies that I have read. I’ve read some of The Wheel of Time series, one book in George R.R. Martin’s Song of Ice and Fire series, the first book of Patrick Rothfuss’ trilogy.
I tend to hold Tolkien’s work as something separate. I don’t like to compare it to anything else because I have yet to see anyone who compares to J.R.R. Tolkien himself. He was a unique individual with unique passions and life circumstances and unlike many book copy writers who feel the need to print comparisons to Tolkien on the dust jackets of books in hopes to increase their sales, I feel no need to do so. As for the others, its been so long since I’ve read McKillip’s trilogy that I have no idea what I would think of it today. I was a kid the one and only time I read it. I continue to enjoy her novels, so I assume I may still like this.
It is probably easiest for me to compare this first book with The Name of the Wind by Rothfuss, merely because they are contemporaries and they are the newest darlings (deservedly so) of this “type” (broad definition) of fantasy. With one novel both men have proven to me that they can craft a brilliant debut novel. Debut for Rothfuss as it being his first, and debut for Sanderson in that this is the first of this series and the work he has been at the longest time. Both men have drawn me out of my self-described loathing of doorstop sized books and both have shown me the error of forgoing much praised fantasy novels merely because of my own fears of commitment.
3. How do you feel about the masculine and feminine arts? If you’re female, do you think you’d be content to stick to scholaly pursuits, or would you rather do something physical, like go to war? If you’re male, would you be willing to forgo learning to read, even if there were women around to read to you? What about the food? Does the spicy for men and sweet for women restriction fit your own tastes?
Although it would not necessarily be my first choice of occupations, I find myself most willing at this point to ally myself with the ardents, who are allowed to “break the rules” as it were. The male ardents, at least as personified by Kabsal, can partake of scholarship and sweet foods as well as the things that are okay for men to do. I am so glad Sanderson wrote the story this way as it has provided a great deal of speculation, wondering, and thought for me as I’ve read the story thus far. I wouldn’t want to necessarily live in a world with those type of restrictions, but it does provide a fascinating window into the world he is creating and could perhaps also be a way of looking at those countries, religions, cultures that exist in our world today that in one way or another restrict the sexes.
If I had to be any one character in the story thus far it would probably be Captain Tozbeck. Shallan indicated that she thought he was a reader, he was married I do believe so presumably there is some romance and companionship in his life, he has a sweat-of-your-brow job that carries with it all the romance of those who sail the seas, and thus far he seems to be out of harms way.
I would never turn down the opportunity to be read to by women, but still, I would have to be able to read myself. And given that I am not fond of a lot of restrictive rules, I am certain I would be breaking that rule, the food rule, and many others. I wouldn’t last long before being cast out as a heretic or a trouble-maker of some sort.
4. What do you think of the flashbacks to Kaladin’s childhood?
I am thoroughly enjoying learning about Kaladin in this way. If I examine it purely from the standpoint of the structure of the story I have to say I really admire Brandon Sanderson’s thought processes. Kaladin’s is a tale of struggle and frustrated effort, of small triumphs followed by crushing defeats, and I think it would be exhausting to read of just this part of his existence. The flashbacks not only give us a deeper understanding of how Kaladin came to be where he is, but also reveal much about who he is, making him a character of great depth. By breaking in on Kaladin’s story with moments of reflection on his past, Sanderson makes Kaladin’s present that much more engaging.
5. Do you have any theories yet as to where the story is headed? What do you most want to see in the last quarter of the book?
I had already shared theories of Kaladin’s effect on the spheres and we have talked on several sites about Dalinar’s visions and the quotes at the start of each chapter. It was fun to see the spheres theory be brought into the story by Teft and some of the other men of Kaladin’s company. And as I’ve read on it seems there is much much more of Kaladin than meets the eye, and Syl as well.
I am still unsure as to where Dalinar’s visions may be leading him but am looking forward to reading more about that in the last sections of the book. I suspect, and hope, that we are going to be privy to more specific visions in the time to come as they are not only interesting to the present story line but reveal to us more about the ancient past (if that is what they show) of Roshar.
I was anxious to get back to Shallan’s story in this section and it did not disappoint. I mentioned that I did not want to see her steal the Soulcaster and head back to her family and of course while things happened that I had not desired, they did not happen at all like I predicted in my own mind and I found myself enjoying this section of her journey even more than that of the first part of The Way of Kings. I still really like her character. I am not always thrilled with the choices she makes and I found myself often during Part Three wishing that she would just level with Jasnah. It isn’t pleasant seeing Shallan torn between the duties she feels she owes her family and the obvious pleasure she derives from being Jasnah’s ward. But then she wouldn’t be much of a three dimensional character if she idly cast aside her fealty to her family just because she felt fulfilled in her studies.
I realize that no matter what Brandon Sanderson does with this last section of the book that there will be by some definition many unresolved stories, but I do hope for an ending to this first book that satisfies while also leaving me wanting more. I hope to see Dalinar gain more insight into his supposed madness. I hope to see a little more of Shallan before we leave the book, especially given the way the reader leaves her at the end of Part Three. And of course I would like to see Kaladin succeed for once without getting everyone around him killed. That is probably asking for too much.
Part Three was the best part thus far. This book just keeps getting better and better. Much better editing/proof-reading in this section coupled with so many captivating threads kept me turning the pages, reading in great chunks at every sitting. I look forward to discussing this more with all of you in the coming week.
Happy Monday Carl! First, I love the quote at the top! And I didn’t know that Whelan won an award. I agree with you, the cover is perfect for the novel. I marvel how artists like Whelan can picture this in their head and then create it. Such talent!
Also, I marvel at your memory. There have been a few times when I’ve had to remind myself about some characters story lines. I do like his style and I’m enjoying the way he is telling the story. For me it adds to the suspense. However, I’m getting old. I was like who is Kabsal again.
Ha ha ha…I also wrote that fantasy writers should not be compared to Tolkien. Such an unfair comparison.
I did like how ardents could break the rules. That might have been an option for me
It isn’t often that you find an artist who has either read the work they are illustrating or at least got a really good pitch about it. I read a quote by Whelan about the award and it makes me think he actually took the time to read the book. At any rate his cover is so perfect. I think about it whenever I think about the Shattered Plains. I think it represents the harshness of the landscape while at the same time demonstrating that there is a devastating beauty there. I feel that way about similar rocky landscapes in America. I wouldn’t want to live there, but at certain times they are quite beautiful.
I’m comparing this to George R.R. Martin’s stories, for example. I know that when I go to pick up Clash of Kings (the second book) I’m going to have to go online to wiki or somewhere to get a refresher course on who everyone is because he introduces a lot of primary and secondary characters. It isn’t so much that Sanderson doesn’t, but there seem to be far fewer in my mind. And then again I’m only assuming I’ll have good recollection of these characters a year from now when book two comes out. I guess the truth will remain to be seen. 😉
I know I’d be breaking the rules for sure. It would just be easier to do so as an ardent.
It is hard to imagine that the cover artists wouldn’t read the book, but I’m sure that happens. On a different note, the artist for The Great Gatsby worked on the cover before Fitzgerald finished the book. And Fitzgerald loved the cover so much that he included some of the aspects of the book cover into the story.
I don’t know if you are breaking the rules or you are just smart enough to figure a way around the problem.
I don’t know either, but I do know that regardless of the culture, if reading existed and I was who I am then being exposed to books through being read to would make me seek out and find someone willing to break taboo and teach me how to read.
I didn’t know Whelan won an award for it either, but I did find an article that I’m linking here that Sanderson wrote about Whelan’s artwork:
http://www.tor.com/blogs/2010/03/michael-whelan-an-apreciation
I have a slight recollection of maybe reading that before, but I’m so glad you posted the link. It was wonderful to read again. I am very excited for Sanderson that he got his Whelan cover, and now as a fan I am hoping against hope that Whelan will helm the rest of the series. That would just be too wonderful.
I almost always find it frustrating when characters simply don’t level with one another. Often we see people working towards a similar goal, and if they’d just communicate better and open up more then things would go so much smoother. This method really bothered me with LOST, when so many characters’ backgrounds were intertwined and few people realized it.
I suppose people are generally private, and we don’t want to open up unless we’re forced to. So Sanderson is being realistic (as much as one can in a fantasy novel), but it’s still frustrating, too.
I am right with you Logan. Thankfully this story hadn’t gotten to that point yet, but had the deception went on much longer I think I would have started to lose patience with it. I go back and forth about how realistic a portrayal it is. People are private and can obviously be quite secretive, but if the internet and just working around people has taught me anything it is that we also like to talk about ourselves, about other people, and we love to put our two cents in. I can certainly see why Shallan wouldn’t initially open up, but as she was hitting a point where she couldn’t operate the Soulcaster and her time was running out it would have made more sense (if the story had continued on that line much longer) for her to come clean and ask for help. As it was that part of the story came to an exciting and suspenseful conclusion.
I’m sad about it too. I do hope that somehow Jasnah and Shallan can work things out because I like them working together, but I have my doubts. If Shallan truly does have to leave I’ll miss that part of her story.
I found this section of Shallan’s tale to be so exciting, especially at the end when she is drawing all these unseen creatures that her mind is taking mental pictures of. The suspense was really cranked up. As we talked about in Part One, her art has become more than just a nice way to flesh out the character but instead has become integral to her story line and I for one am thrilled about it. I cannot wait to see where all of this goes.
Another great post. A few initial thoughts:
Often cover artists are given a chapter or even just a scene and asked to illustrate that for the book cover. Thus the choice is narrowed by the editor so the resulting image is what that editor envisions and isn’t so much left up to the imagination of the artist, who may become enamored with a minor scene or something not sufficiently “dramatic” in the editor’s way of thinking. I’m not sure I agree with this approach, but it not uncommon. With an artist of Michael Whelan’s ability and track record, editors are more likely to give free reign.
You said Part Three was the best yet, and that you’re pretty sure the book with end on a, shall we say, open note. Considering Part Three is likely to be 3 of 40, yes, I guess that would be accurate.
If there was mention anywhere so far of a map, I missed it. Books like this NEED a map, is there one here, either in the end papers or at the beginning?
Lastly, it’s clear from your comments you have a very limited basis of comparison. You need to read more epic fantasy!
I agree, I think when artists get to a certain point they are given much more free reign, much the same as authors and their relationship with editors. Which is why I feel like more kudos should be given to art directors and editors who are willing to give direction when it is needed, regardless of a person’s cache.
Yes, there are maps and gorgeous endpapers in the hard cover version of this book and much of this is reproduced in black and white in the MMPB. There are also smaller maps and illustrations at the beginning of each chapter. It really is a beautiful book.
I do indeed have a limited basis of comparison, but as odd as this is going to seem for me to say epic fantasy really isn’t my favorite thing to read. While there are volumes of epic fantasy that sit near the top of my favorite reads of all time, my aversion to series is still very strong. And given the limitations put on reading time by work and other hobbies/interests and family/friend time I want to vary my reading too much to dive into a lot of multi-volume stories. Sound silly, but there it is. Of course that may change over time. Over the past year I’ve now read Martin, Rothfuss and Sanderson so maybe the epic fantasy bug is fighting me.
And as far as comparisons I definitely can’t make an impassioned comparison between many epic fantasy books/series over the decades since Tolien, but I am very confident in my tastes and my ability to judge if a book is good simply because it speaks to me or if it is good in spite of my feelings because of the author’s talent, and this one falls in the later category, as does Rothfuss’ first volume of his trilogy.
I have no doubt the novel will end with a lot of questions but I am excited about the revelations that have already come in the first 100 pages I’ve read of Part Four.
I’m happy to hear that Whelan got an award for the cover art. I’m only familiar with him through this readalong and book, but I love the cover, and I usually don’t like fantasy covers. The edition of Name of the Wind that I read was horrible.
It’s sort of ironic that in order to live a life free of society’s conventions in Roshar you enter the religious order.
I hadn’t really thought about what character I would want to be, but I guess it would be Shallan, mostly so I could hang out in the Palanaeum and eat jam and bread with a cute ardent (even though he may have inadvertently poisoned me). I would not want weird symbol-headed creatures after me though. That all was very intense!
I am only just about 10 pages into part four. If I can pull it off, I would love to read it all in one or two big chunks of time. Sometimes it’s just better that way, especially at the end of the book. Otherwise the suspense just gets messed up. I’m crossing my fingers!
I’ve loved Whelan’s work for a long time. If you are interested I reviewed one of his art books earlier this year and posted several examples of his work. This post was mostly Science Fiction focused but he also has a lot of wonderful fantasy art covers:
http://www.stainlesssteeldroppings.com/michael-whelans-works-of-wonder
I hadn’t quite thought of the religious order thing that way but you are right and that is quite ironic. Of course I get the impression that ardents aren’t supposed to be romantically linked so that wouldn’t be so fun.
I read a bit more over lunch today and hope to get a good chunk of reading in tonight before bed.
Shelley I love your observation that in order to have more freedoms you have to join the religious order.
The bread and jam did sound yummy!
It is a great observation isn’t it? And it there is a part you’ll get to in Part Four with Renarin where you’ll laugh at how right on Shelley is.
Carl are you trying to make it so I don’t sleep tonight so I can find out!
Who needs sleep?
Not me considering the book and movie list you have supplied in just one week!
Just doing my part to help out the book and movie industry. Now where are those kickbacks I was promised?!?!
I’m intrigued! I was hoping that Renarin would get a little more attention in the book.
I agree! I would love to learn more about him. He’s quiet and feels inadequate but it would be hard to fit in with the warriors when you aren’t the warrior type. I feel for him.
I laughed when I read it simply because there have been several little tidbits in this next section that tie back into our conversations. And now I must stop, don’t want to spoil the next set of questions and answers. I’ll try to stick with Part Three discussions.
Bad me!
By the way, Michael Whelan did read the book before designing the cover:
http://www.tor.com/blogs/2010/03/micahel-whelans-cover-for-brandon-sanders-the-way-of-kings
Michael Whelan is an incredible artist. My first recollection of his work is Anne McCaffrey’s Dragon series of books. I distinctly remember reading those first 3 book in the series as a teenager with the Whelan covers on them. I know for a FACT that I picked them up and read the back covers on them because of his artwork. No one had told me about those books. They just caught my eye and begged me to read them because they looked so cool. That was over 25 years ago as I’m in my 40’s now and I still remember those book covers.
Ever since then I’ve always picked up books with Whelan covers on them to check them out. He is truly a legend. One of these days I hope Underwood Books and the Fenners produce an art book encompassing his career.
Yes, I would love to see the kind of quality book that the Fenners do featuring Michael Whelan’s art work. He could probably rate a multiple volume set like Frazetta.
I agree. I would think atleast 3 books just like Frazetta.
I fell a little behind the reschedule but I finished up section 3 last night.
Question 1.
I’m used to reading this story structure from a lot of other epic fantasy series that I read. It doesn’t bother me in the least. I also have the bad habit of reading a lot of books at one time so I’m used to putting down a book for a day or a year and jumping back into a story.
I was glad of Shallan’s return though as I enjoy her story more than Dalinar’s myself. Kaladin’s story is my favorite by far though.
Question # 2.
I’m finding it different than other fantasy series I’ve read. Some parts are similar but the world building is different and the magic system is different. My favorite fantasy series are all quite different from each other ( Tolkien, GRRM, Rothfuss, Robert E Howard, Gaiman ). They all share the fantasy banner but there stories are all quite different from one and other. It just goes to show how big of a blanket the term fantasy really covers.
Question # 3.
The gender roles is something I can relate to because we as socitey today still have a lot gender professions dominated by certain gender although that is changing. You still see mostly men in the military, police, fireman and to some degree poticial roles. You still see many nurses and teachers filled by women. I think Roshar having these types of gender roles helps ground the book more. You could see the light eyes angle is a reflection of color. The thing that throws me off is gender differences in food. That is something I think is quite different than our society. Men not being able to read. That cracks me up if for no other reason that Sanderson being a male writer.
4. I’ve seen this technique down before. I don’t think there is anything wrong with it because I think think it being written well by a skilled writer. I’m not one to quibble with the format so much myself as long as what I’m reading is good. If it’s good I don’t really care on the writer’s structure because once I’m engaged in a good story I’m in for the long haul so I’m at the writer’s mercy no matter what.
5. With all the twists in Chapter 3 I have no idea where this book is headed. I know from reading Mistborn that Sanderson won’t take the story down any familiar road. He’s going to deliver the goods in a clever way. I’m confident of that after read Mistborn.
It’s funny that Mistborn is the only other book I’ve read by Sanderson so that is all I have to compare to with this writer. While I see many similarities with the magic system and creatures. I feel this book takes his world building to a whole new level. I also believe he has a better handle on characterization especially with the size of this cast.
Anyway I can’t wait to get back and start crackin on section 4 and try and get caught up with the group.
Jeff
I’ll be really interested in seeing how you feel about Dalinar after this next section. So excited that you made it through Part Three and are ready to dip into Part Four.
Fantasy does cover a large number of different types of fiction. Of the “specific” genres I’m not sure there is another one that covers such a wide range of style and flavors of stories. As I said I don’t have a lot of similar experiences to compare it to, so while Sanderson’s work feels familiar in the good way that a skilled writer does, it also feels very unique, especially in the details of this world he has created.
Shallan’s story really took off in this third part of the story and by the end took some wild turns. I did not see it coming that Kabsal was a bad person and quite honestly left this section with big doubts as to what might have “really” happened.
I was happy with the direction of everyone’s story in Part Three except for Szeth, but I don’t think we are supposed to be happy with the direction his character is taking. I did like the way things progressed with him in Part Four but at the same time he is the character that is exasperating, and I think that is largely because none of us likes to think of being controlled by someone else, and his willingness to accept that control makes me want to scream sometimes.
The size of the cast with this book is just right, at least for me. I found it to be a perfect balance between too many or too few.
I agree with you as well on the size of the cast. At this point it seems manageable. We will see if Sanderson keeps it this size or broadens it as the series progresses.
Now that I think about it I think you may be onto something with Shallan’s story and just what exactly happened with her and Kasbal. I did not see that ending coming as well for him and since it happened “off screen” maybe what Shallan and us readers were told isn’t the truth.
I hope you are right on my feelings inregards to Dalinar as well. I don’t hate him by any means I just haven’t taken to him yet like I have with Kalidan.
I also don’t care for Szeth’s story at this point either but I don’t we are supposed to find his story comforting at all. I just can’t see where Sanderson is going with him yet.
I didn’t care for any of the Interludes this time ( Baxil, Geranid and Szeth ). I think more than anything when I hit them I didn’t want to read about there sides stories at that point in the book. I just wanted to get past them as quickly as possible so I could get back to the real action of the book. Hopefully I will like those characters stories in latter books as well.
I also want to know what those things were in Shallan’s drawings. They were really creepy. I thought Sanderson captured Shallan’s fear of the excellently in the novel. I know I felt just as creeped out by them as Shallan. I also hope she can smooth things over with Jasnah some day but I have my doubts about that though.
Man what a good book!!!
“Manageable” is a good word. It seems silly to describe a 1000 page book that way, but Sanderson makes it so both by his structure and also by the number of primary and secondary characters he has limited the story to.
I liked Szeth’s interlude a lot, but that was because I didn’t see that kind of dreadful plot coming, but the others weren’t fun like the first two sets had been. I like that in Szeth we have a character who is easy to feel animosity towards (and “like” in some way too because he is interesting).
That whole final sequence with Shallan was like watching a thriller movie with the music getting louder and more menacing in the background. I found myself rushing through it to see how it would all turn out.
And just wait!!! Talk about pacing!!!
That’s a great way to describe Shallan’s final sequence. I felt the same way.
Hmmm…as for Szeth I going to wait and reserve judgement on him until I see were his story goes. I don’t really like reading about assassins so I guess that’s part of my hang up with him.
I thought Baxil’s interlude was just too comical after Shallan’s ending. I’m sure Sanderson wanted to lighten the mood some at that beat of the story. It just didn’t work for me.
Ok. Now I need to get back to some reading on part four! 🙂
I know for the interlude with the woman destroying the art I was wishing Szeth would show up suddenly and assassinate her! Made my heart sick reading about her wanton destruction. She’s been the most villainous of the characters in the story thus far! 🙂
I don’t mind reading about assassins if the story is interesting enough. At this point I am more interested in seeing how the story after his next portion plays out.
Yes, get offline and keep reading!