Elantris: Anyone else give up on Elantris the first time around?

[Margaret]

Things improve very very dramatically in the second half of the book in my opinion. The first part was a little slow, but once all the characters meet up with each other, everything gets way more fun.

[Craythur]

I struggled with the book early on and nearly shelved it. Somewhere around the half way point I realized I wasn't having to try so hard. I'm glad I stuck with it to the end. I'm relieved to hear others had the same reaction. I was doubting my fantasy nerd status. :)

[Ed]

I picked up the book and wasn't really getting pulled in. Then I picked up the audio version to listen to on my commute. It is done by Graffic Audio and is really good. I really like what this company is doing with their audio books. They include side effects, music, different actors. their tag line is " a movie in your mind". I will look up other things they have done after this book.

[Andrew]

@Ed: tried the sample of graphic audio's version and wasn't a fan. Found the music to intrusive with regards to the narration. I decided to give the audiobook version (as on Audible) a go to get me over the line and it isn't too bad.

@Meggie: Good to hear that it picks up. At around the 40% mark so hopefully soon.

[Michael]

I would love to read this book with the group (I enjoyed Mistborn) but I just don't see how I can squeeze it in at this time. I do definetly plan on reading and will probably "bop" back into the discussion threads at a later date but for now I, unfortunately, have to pass.

[Phil On The Hill]

I am in catch up mode and started a couple of days ago. About 25% in and am enjoying it. I see why people find it rough and ready. but I have not read any BS before and Mistborn is on my "To Read" shelf, so shall look forward to it.

[Jonathan]

Warren wrote: "I found it disappointing and gave up after a few chapters.
It felt like Cinderella with some role reversals.
I kept expecting some singing dwarves to come marching around the corner. It wasn't a ba..."

The thing that few people realize is that every book is basically the same story with role reversals and different characters. There's no such thing as an original story really. Even what appears original when broken down will have a character the same as someone else's story. To create 'originality' is to mix together the same ingredients in a new way. That's why I never really get caught up with 'is the story original' any more when I read a book. I simply go with: well is the story good?

[Andrew]

Just thought I'd report back that I did get into the story somewhat as it progressed much as others reported they did. It isn't BS's finest but I didn't feel disappointed for having read it.

[Ken]

I finally made it through, but there were times I was thinking "would you just &$@*! finish already?"

[Gumps]

You know, I never had the thought of setting this book aside. I fell in love with it from the minute I picked it up. I remember thinking that this was the beginning of me finding another fantasy author that I just connected with. And he has yet to disappoint. Personally, I feel Warbreaker was his weakest book, but I would happily recommend that one as well. Sanderson just seems to make unique and interesting worlds with great magic systems.

But then again, I don't have much of a history of not finishing books. I always feel that I should give the author more time, they may hook me in the second half, or last third, and by then I tell myself I should just finish the book. The only book that I can honestly say I stopped reading due to a complete disinterest / dislike of the book was a story by C.S. Friedman. I also stopped reading the Wheel of Time series around book 5, but with Sanderson now writing the last few books, I have started up again just so I can see how Sanderson fixes all the problems I had with books 3-5 (actually now 9).

[Rik]

I gave up on the first time. Well, what actually happened is that I'd never heard of Brandon Sanderson but I was a huge Wheel of Time fan so I was curious who this guy was that had been picked to finish WoT. So I went to the library and Elantris is what I ended up with. I struggled to get halfway through before it was due and I didn't come back to it for a long time. I did however see Mistborn on discount and tried it and LOVED it. Once I'd finished the Mistborn series and read the first Sanderson penned WoT book I decided to give Elantris another try. Its not a bad book but its by far Sanderson's weakest book IMO. Sanderson has become one of my favorite authors and he's a nice person to boot, I've been fortunate enough to meet him twice.