"The Eye of the World" Final Thoughts *Spoilers Untagged*

[Rob]

I think I went through different phases of who my favorite character was.

In this book Perrin was definitely my favorite of the Two Rivers boys.

The nagging, men vs. woman thing is unfortunately an issue of Robert Jordan more than individual characters. It's one aspect of the series that annoyed me both times I read it.

I imagine some people get turned off of the series completely by that stuff.

[aPriL does feral sometimes]

I didn't really like Mat for a long time. Then oddly, he became my favorite. (view spoiler)[ He is a Bad Boy with lots of charm who does Good in spite of himself because he is part of the Wheel. (hide spoiler)]

I realized over the time in reading the series the man/woman dynamic is amplified in this world-building because without it, a lot of the drama and jokes would be phtttt - gone. But much of the interpersonal relationships seem amplified to me because of the nature of village and small-town life - everybody knows everybody, and everyone has known everybody for generations. Plus small towns tend to be conservative and traditional, which is why many young people, especially those who want more than what the town expects of them, leave. If they do not leave their town of birth, they will walk into the same footsteps and jobs their great-grandparents and their grandparents and their parents did, as will their kids after them. Like the Hobbits in LOTRs.

Man/woman dynamic and marriages does seem to be amplified or ramped up in importance in small farming towns in real life. I grew up in a big city, but I have noticed the difference on Facebook relatives' pages from small towns.

[Aleksandra]

I always like both Perrin and Mat much more than Rand, especially in books to come.
Francisca, (view spoiler)[ I didn’t mention earlier Mat and dagger but totally agree with parallel with LoTR. (hide spoiler)]
And I’m also annoyed by man-woman relationship and unfortunately this will not change, so try to ignore it and enjoy the story :)

[Mason]

Maybe I am an outlier but Rand has been my favorite so far.

[Francisca]

April, that's a good point about the small-town dynamics: Jordan is definitely playing on that with the character development of the Two Rivers people. (view spoiler)[ There's this touchingly sad scene between Rand and Mat at one point when they talk about how they're going to go back home eventually, which you just know isn't true - or at least not in the "and things will be as before" sense (hide spoiler)]

Mason (Goodnight) wrote: "Maybe I am an outlier but Rand has been my favorite so far."

I like Rand, but he's a bit, bland (?) so far. He more or less does everything right (except for his tendency to talk too much - which somehow is less annoying then when Mat does it?). I think it doesn't help that (view spoiler)[ I know he's going to turn out to be the Dragon. Something about fated destinies makes the whole character arc less interesting... His lovelorn-ness with Egwene also doesn't help. (hide spoiler)]. I'm sure that'll change eventually; I remember liking him more in later books. (view spoiler)[ Actually, basically all I remember from the first time I read these books is that Rand gets really complicated and interesting, Egwene becomes awesome at some point, and Perrin hangs out with wolves a lot (and I think has a dramatic love story at some point?). So I'm looking forward to filling in the details! :D (hide spoiler)]

[Aleksandra]

Later books, don’t read though it’s just general impression (continuation of Francisca’s comment): (view spoiler)[ Perrin will have dramatic wife, worse than Nynaeve at the moments :D and Mat’s love story is the best! I wouldn’t comment Rand’s except it’s very very interesting :D and you’re right Francisca, Egwene will be awesome! (hide spoiler)]

[Mason]

In regards to all the love going around -> (view spoiler)[ The whole time I was reading, I just wanted Egwene and Rand to end up together at some point. I know Min said what she said but come on, they are meant to be right? (hide spoiler)]

[Aleksandra]

Mason, I think you’re gonna find out that in book 2 :)

[Mason]

Aleksandra wrote: "Mason, I think you’re gonna find out that in book 2 :)"

Awesome, I can’t wait :)

Hopefully it turns out the I want it to *crosses fingers*

[Mason]

Aleksandra wrote: "Mason, I think you’re gonna find out that in book 2 :)"

Awesome, I can’t wait :)

Hopefully it turns out the I want it to *crosses fingers*

[Francisca]

Chapter 35 - at Caemlyn

(view spoiler)[ The pursuit of the Darkfriends is pretty terrifying - as are the Children of Light. It's interesting that Mat and Rand can "tell" when something is off - also Rand was totally channeling the one power at Four Kings, right?

Knowing there are fourteen books does ease the tension though - and knowing that Jordan doesn't kill characters off all that often like some authors do... *cough* RR Martin *cough* (hide spoiler)]

I was thinking about all the suspicion around Aes Sedai, especially in light of all the anyone can be a Darkfriend tension. A lot of it is just lack of familiarity and knowledge. For example (view spoiler)[ Thom talks about how his nephews were taken by the Red Ajah, but from Moiraine's point of view she'd probably say they were men who could channel and therefore were a danger to themselves and those around them.

There's also a flavor of people confusing the goodness of an institution with its members: there are probably Aes Sedai who aren't that great, but as an institution, it sounds like they're working for the Light overall. (As opposed to the Children who are clearly horrendously misguided and working for the dark, though there could be individual Children who are good? (maybe? there's not really that much grey with the children - see it's a joke because they wear white!)). This is my working theory, anyway, we'll see how it turns out... (hide spoiler)]

[Michele]

Definitely a lot of Arthurian overtones here:

Caemlyn ==> Camlann (famous site of King Arthur's final battle)
Tar Valom ==> Avalon
Thom Merrilin ==> Merlin
Moiraine ==> Morgayne

[Francisca]

Isn’t there also literally a legendary Arthur Hawkeye who united the people and stopped barons from abusing their power?

I do like the way Jordan not-so-subtly nods to his influences, while doing his own thing at the same time. I think he hits a good balance between homage and innovation.

[Aleksandra]

Chapter 48: (view spoiler)[ I like how stories of old and lost kingdoms and battles are told, I’m thinking of Manetheren told by Moiraine and Malkier by Agelmar. Although written on few pages, they hold strong emotions and memories of past time. It couldn’t be written better. (hide spoiler)]

[Francisca]

Chapter 41: (view spoiler)[ I loved Elayne and am now hoping Rand ditches Egwene (just kidding, but not really).

More seriously, I like how Jordan introduces a bunch of characters that you know will be important soon, but for now are just side notes in the whole "running from Darkfriends" plot.

Oh, and the Ogier hiding in the library... The Ogier is my new favorite character. (hide spoiler)]

[Michele]

Aleksandra wrote: "Chapter 48: I like how stories of old and lost kingdoms and battles are told..."

Me too! Jordan does a great job with building a complex world with a believable history and depth to it.

[Mason]

Agreed. It is really hard not to be completely engulfed by all of the detail that Jordan put into the world and its history. Sometimes it is a little much but necessary at the same time.

[Mason]

Francisca wrote: "Chapter 41: "

I feel like we are on very similar wavelengths, Francisca!
RE: (view spoiler)[ I was thinking the same thing! I really liked Elayne. Maybe not enough for Rand to jump off the Egwene train but maybe enough that he makes a quick stop somewhere.

I also like how Jordan does his character introductions. I have never read the books but being a fantasy fan you always hear about them. So a lot of the character names are very familiar and it is a cool but sly way how he brings them in.

And I also fell in love with Loial as soon as he spooked Rand :) (hide spoiler)]

[Francisca]

So I finished, and am on a long hold list for The Great Hunt because apparently everyone in my library system is reading WoT???

I loved the ending: (view spoiler)[ The tempo really increases (if possible) after the reunion in Caemlyn, and I like how he closes all the book-specific plot lines (we get to and destroy the Eye of the World), but with plenty left for the rest of the series (clearly...). We'll see if he manages to keep doing that, but I appreciate series that manage to balance the keep-people-wanting-to-know-more and having resolution for each book. Moiraine's little shout of triumph at the end was perfect. (hide spoiler)]

[Allison, Fairy Mod-mother]

Chapter 6:

Things I know to be true:

(view spoiler)[
1. When a boy's father brandishes a beautiful sword, that boy is about to be an orphan.

2. When a young hero fantasizes about food, the town he's heading towards will be destroyed.

3. Well behaved children are always lords, which are just lying around on battlefields as infants for anyone to take.

(hide spoiler)]

;-) It's fun though. Definitely a "homey" feeling read so far.

[Michele]

Allison wrote: "Chapter 6: Things I know to be true..."

lol

[Allison, Fairy Mod-mother]

I still don't understand why the Aes Sedai are considered so dangerous to normal people? So far they haven't demanded anything and have been kind, protective, and resourceful. Why wouldn't you want them to know everything about enemies of the One Power? Seems very plot devicey.

[Francisca]

Allison wrote: "I still don't understand why the Aes Sedai are considered so dangerous to normal people? So far they haven't demanded anything and have been kind, protective, and resourceful. Why wouldn't you want..."

I think some of it has to do with suspicion of things people don't understand - compounded with the fact that all the (view spoiler)[ male (hide spoiler)] Aes Sedai are super dangerous, to themselves and others. So all magic is suspicious?

More importantly (view spoiler)[ I think we only get a sniff of the politics of Aes Sedai in this book: Moiraine at some point talks about being in the Blue Ajah, which relieves whoever she's talking to, and they mention the Red Ajah as the people who chase after male magic users single-mindedly. It feels like a "everyone painted with the same brush" issue (hide spoiler)]

[Allison, Fairy Mod-mother]

Okay, thanks. I'll use that rationale until I get more of the story :D

[Francisca]

Allison wrote: "Okay, thanks. I'll use that rationale until I get more of the story :D"

At first I thought he was overcompensating in painting the Two Rivers folk as backwards, but then everyone has the same views so I got confused too... He does have some driving themes that he tries to use as pedal points and start to get a bit stale in the process. This is definitely one of them...

[Allison, Fairy Mod-mother]

Francisca wrote: "Allison wrote: "Okay, thanks. I'll use that rationale until I get more of the story :D"

At first I thought he was overcompensating in painting the Two Rivers folk as backwards, but then everyone h..."

Yeah...I think that I'm spoiled by the modern trend of really character heavy narratives (like my darling Stormlight Archive), and of course by masters like Le Guin and Tolkien whose descriptions are so crucial because they're symbols, not just scene dressing. This feels more Eddings-like, but drawn out. I wanna know what happens, just...faster. haha

[Mason]

Allison wrote: "I still don't understand why the Aes Sedai are considered so dangerous to normal people? So far they haven't demanded anything and have been kind, protective, and resourceful. Why wouldn't you want..."

I don't know if anything in here is a spoiler but I'll hide it just in case. My fifty cents -> (view spoiler)[

I think the Aes Sedai are considered dangerous and feared has a lot to do with The Breaking. This is mostly due to the fact that after the Aes Sedai bound the Dark One, the One Power the males used was corrupted which led to The Breaking and all males using the power going mad. I think the fear comes from the fact that the One Power isn't completely understood even by the female Aes Sedai. Not only is the One Power not understood but a lot of the magical items that are in the world aren't as well and the Aes Sedai have all the items (there are some in Tear, I think).

I think of the One Power like the magic system from Broken Earth series in the way that the magic is dangerous to all that don't have the control, male and female alike. It definitely isn't on the scale of freezing anyone and everything in a certain radius but the magic is dangerous uncontrolled either way.

Another reason would be that the One Power isn't only being used by "good guys". The "bad guys" can also use it. Which means everyone just thinks it's bad. Later in the books, it gets more into the politics of the Aes Sedai with all of the different Ajah. Most of the Ajah seem to be good but the red seems to be a little darker and the black are just bad. Which comes to how the public view the Aes Sedai.

A lot of the stories and songs about Aes Sedai say that they are always scheming and dangerous which doesn't help their image. But those stories had to come from somewhere right? Even throughout the books I have read, the Aes Sedai are always scheming and trying to bend people in their image. You see this a lot with the main characters. They know a lot more than what they are telling everyone about what their plans are and I'm sure that doesn't sit well people. The Aes Sedai have these oaths that they "have" to abide by:
1. Speak no word that isn't true
2. Make no weapon which a man can kill another
3. Never use the One Power as a weapon except against Darkfriends or Shadowspawn.
They have these laws but I feel like they are bent a little bit. Like with the first one about truth. Rand's father Tam sums it up when he says "An Aes Sedai never lies, but the truth she speaks may not be the truth you think you hear"

I'm sure they mean well but they seem to rub people the wrong way. Apparently, Aes Sedai means "servants of all", that means they can't be bad right? In the end, I think the fear is a huge misunderstanding and people being afraid of what they don't know. But that is just my long rambling answer haha :) (hide spoiler)]

[Allison, Fairy Mod-mother]

Thanks, Mason!! That's a great summary. Very helpful ^^

[Travis]

Mason (Goodnight) wrote: "Allison wrote: "I still don't understand why the Aes Sedai are considered so dangerous to normal people? So far they haven't demanded anything and have been kind, protective, and resourceful. Why w..."


(view spoiler)[Totally agree about this connection between how this series and the Broken Earth trilogy view magic. I had the same thoughts while reading. (hide spoiler)]

[Michele]

Allison wrote: "I wanna know what happens, just...faster. haha"

I felt like that through about the first six books. So then I stopped reading the novels and just read the summaries on wikipedia lol

[Allison, Fairy Mod-mother]

Michele wrote: "Allison wrote: "I wanna know what happens, just...faster. haha"

I felt like that through about the first six books. So then I stopped reading the novels and just read the summaries on wikipedia lol"

LOL

[Michele]

Allison wrote: "I still don't understand why the Aes Sedai are considered so dangerous to normal people? So far they haven't demanded anything and have been kind, protective, and resourceful. Why wouldn't you want..."

I think part of it is the classic trope of male vs female magic, plus the idea that the Aes Sedai are always "on guard" for men who are dangerous -- or whom they decide are dangerous, which is a different thing altogether. Also they're kind of a secretive society. Sort of like how some people feel about Freemasons or Illuminati.

You find out more about the Aes Sedai as the series goes on that might also explain it.

[Allison, Fairy Mod-mother]

Cool, glad to hear it! I also think I just don't like the audiobook, so I've given that up and am happier for it.

[Mason]

Allison wrote: "Cool, glad to hear it! I also think I just don't like the audiobook, so I've given that up and am happier for it."

That's sad. I loved Kate Reading and Michael Kramer in Stormlight! Maybe they were't as good back then?

[Allison, Fairy Mod-mother]

I think I'm just a tough customer. I want it read with my own emphasis and so far only 2 or 3 readers have done that well for me.

[Ashley in Wonderland]

I’m on chapter 25, 45%.

So far, I’m enjoying the story and the action has really seemed to pick up. It seems to gradually be getting better, so that’s good. The dream sequences are really interesting, I’m excited about the wolves, the monsters are very scary, the magic is pretty awesome, and I’m starting to really care about some of the characters, and like some of you I’m pretty suspicious of others. But on the other hand, I can’t stop comparing this to LOTR and part of me wants to finish this real quick so I can reread Fellowship and then finally finish that series like I should’ve done a long time ago. So, as long as I’m comparing the two, Eye of the World will never meet my expectations. Like Allison, I’m wishing things would speed up, and also that Jordan would’ve left out several pages of unnecessary/mundane/repetitive detail (although many descriptions are beautiful and really help tell the story). I’m entertained enough to keep going, but I’m on the fence about continuing the series. I may do what Michele mentioned instead and just read the Wikipedia summaries. :/

[Rob]

Allison wrote: "I think I'm just a terrible person who hates fantastic narrators."

I fixed that for you..

[Allison, Fairy Mod-mother]

Rob wrote: "Allison wrote: "I think I'm just a terrible person who hates fantastic narrators."

I fixed that for you.."

LMAO!

I don't actually contest this. That may well be the case. I'm also having fun laughing at poor people stuck hate reading books, and haven't seen Infinity War yet, so maybe I'm just a burgeoning troll, and hadn't realized it yet!

[Rob]

Lol.

[Sedat]

Rob wrote: "Allison wrote: "I think I'm just a terrible person who hates fantastic narrators."

I fixed that for you.."

Couldn't agree more, I LOVE Kate Reading and Michael Kramer, nuff said. They are the reason I love audiobooks and now I'm reading everything along with audiobooks.

By the way, I just read every comment in here and I loved the discussion, you guys pointed at so many things I missed etc. Gonna join you from the start at second book! Glad so many of you enjoyed.

[Allison, Fairy Mod-mother]

Yeah, sorry. I think the further things get from print, the grouchier I get. There have been a few I really liked but the rest of the time I just have to choose between liking the story and getting it done quickly.

[Sedat]

Allison wrote: "Yeah, sorry. I think the further things get from print, the grouchier I get. There have been a few I really liked but the rest of the time I just have to choose between liking the story and getting..."

Well, I'm halfway there. Whoever I told this found it weird but here we go.

I read books with both my nook (ebook) and audiobook. That's right, I'm a freak ok! I found it so much more enjoyable this way, and also the main reason I'm a weirdo like this is when I read physical only or audio only I can't keep my focus up for the book and every little thing attract my mind lol, reading and listening at the same time makes me focus all the time and also read faster as a bonus.

You can judge freely ^^

edit : sorry that we went sideways from the topic.

[Allison, Fairy Mod-mother]

Wow! That's interesting. I can understand--I can't concentrate in silence either :) and if I'm actively listening, I need something for my hands (or to be pinned some place, like an airplane or most recently when I was giving a platelet donation). But I think doing both for the same thing would drive me personally nuts--not that that takes a lot, as you can tell from my dislike of I guess the King of Narrators.

[Rob]

Whatever works for you I say. I keep my audio and text as different books.

However I don't like it silent when I read either. I always read with music on in the background (or sometimes the TV).

When I do the TV I read even slower than the already slow pace I normally read at, but it's still better than the pace of nothing read.

Usually I do that for sports. I'll mostly read but look up to catch a play/replay of something, or put the book aside for a period of time. Again not the best way to read, but there are only so many hours in a day..

[Allison, Fairy Mod-mother]

Rob wrote: "Whatever works for you I say. I keep my audio and text as different books.

However I don't like it silent when I read either. I always read with music on in the background (or sometimes the TV).
..."

Yeah, Superbowl is prime reading time! Read, watch some commercials, look up for a replay, read again...

[Rob]

I'm a big hockey fan, and typically watch all 82 games of my own team, plus the occasional game of other teams/playoff games.

I start games an hour late to skip commercials/intermissions but that's still 90+ minutes per game. That adds up to a lot of reading time for me, even if it's distracted time.

Although I don't read during every game. It depends on the book/how tired I am that day.

[Michele]

OK, but what do y'all think of the book lol?

[Allison, Fairy Mod-mother]

I'm not sure, Michele! The Superbowl is ages away!

Lol but on topic, I'm still not being gripped. I don't think I'll continue immediately. There are so many books, I can't hang on one series that takes 5 times more time than is necessary to tell a story. We'll see how the back half plays out--I can be quite mercurial about these things.

[Ritchie]

Francisca wrote: "Allison wrote: "I still don't understand why the Aes Sedai are considered so dangerous to normal people? So far they haven't demanded anything and have been kind, protective, and resourceful. Why w..."

Don't forget that the male Aes Sedai "broke the world" - and of course people remember that...

[Ritchie]

I think people might be being a little dismissive of Rand as a character. Don't forget - unlike Rand al'Thor - Mat and Perrin are (more or less) free. Rand has had a very great obligation laid upon him.