Grinding teeth...

[Xar]

Well, a few weeks ago I decided I needed to punish myself, so I started re-reading all of the WoT books. As I said elsewhere, the first four are enjoyable, even a good read, so everything was fine, and I had a good time.

And now on to my frustration-born rant

Then I got to "Fires of Heaven", which is interesting, and it has still several good points - but right now I'm grinding my teeth in frustraction at the female characters who - by this time - have become the usual bitchy, tiresome, "holier-than-thou" characters we all know and hate. As duchess (I think) said once, it seems that Jordan believes that "strong woman" = "bitchy woman" and he keeps emphasizing that point. Not to mention the fact that, as elsewhere stated, all men in the series seem to shrug their collective shoulders and go "well, women are like this, we just obey and accept them" whereas I tend to believe that if all women were truly like braid-tugging Nynaeve or chin-raising Elayne, the world would be a barren wasteland by now In fact, it seems that while most of the chapters with a male or neuter POV are filled with normal descriptions, action, and considerations, almost every female POV chapter is half-filled with musings about "Men!" and the various failings of the male half of the population, to the point that you can hardly read a page without lines of inner monologue about such things.

I read on a Jordan website that he has received praise from many female readers on how well he portrays women in his series; I wonder how many women on the Watch agree with him...

[kevinswatch]

male or neuter

I thought all of the men in the WoT were neutered...?

Heh.

I don't know anything about women (probably less), but I know enough to tell me that Jordan's portrayal of them is more than unrealistic. Just another reason why the WoT has become so unreadable.

-jay

[Xar]

I just read a chapter in "Fires of Heaven" where braid-tugging Nynaeve and chin-raising Elayne get onto a boat for Salidar, and there's the captain, Neres, who dislikes women and doesn't even want to talk to them. Well - in all honesty, if all WoT women are like Nynaeve and Elayne, I think that could be the most realistic male character in the whole series...

[I'm Murrin]

I must say, The Fires of Heaven and one or two points following is probably the low point for the female PoVs in this series. Nynaeve and Elayne's storyline in tFoH is boring and pointless - the few crucial events (Forkroot, Birgitte, to a lesser extent Galad and Masema) could easily have been done without the whole circus bit. Strange how the entire circus can be very annoying for one book with Nynaeve and Elayne, but not that bad when used for two books with Mat.
Min and Siuan in book five was irritating, too, even though I usually liked Min's scenes.

Then again, all the PoVs have had low points: Perrin in book three was boring; book seven through ten was just irritating. Mat from Salidar until he reaches Ebou Dar. Rand for half of The Path of Daggers, and perhaps some of A Crown of Swords. Egwene from Salidar until Tar Valon. Elayne between Ebou Dar and Caemlyn.

[kevinswatch]

Then again, all the PoVs have had low points: Perrin in book three was boring; book seven through ten was just irritating. Mat from Salidar until he reaches Ebou Dar. Rand for half of The Path of Daggers, and perhaps some of A Crown of Swords. Egwene from PAGE 1 OF THE EYE OF THE WORLD UNTIL THE END OF THE DAMN SERIES. Elayne between OH DEAR LORD, JUST KILL THIS SLUT NOW AND BE DONE WITH IT.

I have corrected your post for accuracy.-jay

[I'm Murrin]

"Low point" is a relative term.
And FYI, Egwene is the best female PoV in Knife of Dreams.

[theDespiser]

i like the books

you guys suck



though it is boring at times

[Xar]

i like the books

you guys suck

Well, what else could we expect from the Despiser?

[theDespiser]

raaaaaaa!!!!!