Jeff’s Comments (group member since Dec 29, 2010)

Jeff’s comments from the BGGWW Books group.

Robb wrote: "Re: Sanderson - No (Is that Wheel of Time?), but I've just finished 'Elantris', and started his Mistborn trilogy, and I've been enjoying him so far.

Wait, Wikipedia tells me that it's actually bo..."

He is finishing up the Wheel of Time series, but Way of Kings appears to be a high-fantasy mega effort of his. I have the first book, and it will make its way to my nightstand shortly.

Comment here on the book. Someone will need to split this out in sections, as I'm not going to read this as soon as the early adopters.

Placed in the queue as I know several will be rereading and or wanting to discuss this as Wise man's Fear comes out.

I'm curious if anyone subscribes or buys Analog, Asimov or similar SciFi/Fantasy magazines? I've actually just rediscovered the big two and have subscribed to them. They tend to be interesting reading without the agonizing over whether or not you'll truly love the story enough to pay big bucks and invest hours into them...

I'd only take one issue with this critique, and it's certainly not germane to the series...

"it just makes you cringe to read these old prejudices presented as though that's just the way it is."

...sadly they may be old, but they're certainly not anachronistic in much of the world.

Yes, but the answer to those during the escape sequence were "be a bene gesserit MacGyver"

Water of Life and the Bene gesserit -- this is the partr of the book i really don't understand, mainly because of the huge time lapse, I think. The bene gesserit were busy planning for and preparing the way for the kwasitz haderach ages ago. did they do it without the benefits of the lines of reverend mothers? The Fremen were indoctrinated by the b.g. before even arriving on Arrakis. Had the water of life been known before then? Spice obviously was, or such travel would have been near impossible.

Overall, I was less than thrilled with how they handled the ecology of Arrakis... the appendix improves it, but still doesn't read as fully fleshed-out.

I classify the book as 3 parts -- politics, ecology, and mysticism. And that's the order I'd rate them in this book. Politics top, followed downhill by ecology then mysticism. I just couldn't really get into a sci-fi prophetic system based on genetic interbreeding. The missionaria's seeding of planetary myths was clever, but they goal odd.

Anyone here read Brandon Sanderson's Way of Kings book?

Thanks. I think that is about all he mentions of it.

Also, why does Gurney Halleck hate the Beast Rabban? I think it has something to do with slave pits and his scar, but what's the specific cause? I'm pretty sure it was early on...

I've reached the last 80 pages or so, when the climax occurs when ********** goes to ****** and ******s.

The book is definitely not about the big revelations (the really huge ones in the second and last section are mentioned almost parenthetically, as if Hebert assumes you already knew... and those in the first part are of a "Who shot JR?" level*. I mean, who doesn't know who the traitor is before he acts?)

It really is composed almost as a historical novel, with the assumption that you already know the big picture. I'm not entirely sure the book would be very readable without the intros -- it would be like trying to follow an old hiking trail without blazes on the trees.

The book seems to be an analysis of three intertwined themes -- House Politics, Natural Ecology (Arrakis and the Spice), and Bene Gesserit mysticism.

* Disclaimer: I don't know who shot JR. And some of you might not even know the question.

Also, I'm trying to get my head around a fuzzy moment..

Edited: This book has the Hound, as opposed to the Beast. I'll ask on the right book :)

Comments on the third section of the book here.

Just arrived, myself. Completely forgot the random jump in time between parts.

For the second third of Dune (just got here myself).

I'd just like to say I thank Mother Nature for kindly providing me with a ready-made dune-like snowscape out my window. I will never understand how you could walk with a rhythm on a sanddune or snow drift, anyway.

Fair point, but as you read, ask yourself if the novel would be vastly different if the Paul was female and the Bene Gesserit were a male order.

The Imperial Houses are definitely patriarchal, but they are literally a throwback to the feudal age. Lady Jessica as Leto's concubine, and not wife, is a twist I don't really understand, but definitely adds to her being a weaker (though I believe Leto claims "more independent") character.'

You will definitely find AGoT very interesting. The spectrum of women in that series goes from sniveling, whiny wimps to world makers and breakers. As do the men.

"The other is, and hopefully this will end up being subverted or played with, but currently it looks like the setup is for a "Male messiah figure comes in and does what generations of women couldn't," which bugs me from a feminist perspective. "

As opposed to the Bene Gesserit directly, if subtly, guiding entire Imperial Families? The Reverend Mother herself is probably the most patriarchal character in the book. Almost everyone in the book is caught up in events beyond their control.

That said, there will probably be a few other sections that might affect you negatively. And there are several powerful women to be met. Princess Irulan, for one, you may have noted in the intros.

"They've been stock piling melange for a long time and now they want to control the market. I'm not exactly sure if there is already an existing conflict between the houses (Atreides and Harkonnen) or if the Baron is just using the Duke because he thinks he's a good pawn."

Harkonnen and Atreides have a standing fued... explained so far in a single line about Atreides getting a Harkonnen (an upjumped non-noble line) executed for cowardice at the Battle of Corin. There's also a line from leto once they reach Arrakis, about the Emperor also stockpiling melange. Wheels within wheels. Not all the reasons are clear as yet.