Worst book of the chronicles?

[ussusimiel]

U. I simply don't agree that the first example from what you linked is objectively/technically/artistically better than the second even taken out of context as it is, let alone in context.

I didn't expect us to agree

The internal and external aren't merely representative/reflective of each other, they're practically an identity.

I've a bit of an idea what you mean but you'll need to expand on this for me (and if it could help with my enjoyment of the books I'm open to be convinced).

That's why, for instance, in many ways I find the discussions in another thread or two of Hile Troy's terrible [or great all things considered] strategy failure [or best that could be hoped for] fun, but mostly irrelevant to the point. It hurts because both things/story arcs are the same thing...the rising and destruction of one great soul, but in full 3D and surround sound.

Here I can agree fully. I've never gotten involved in these discussions as they seem to me to step outside the reality of the Land. Hile Troy's plan (which succeeds, at a terrible price) is integral to the whole story and his character. (We seem to agree on more than we disagree on )

u.

[Shuram Gudatetris]

I am not sure if this is a question of worst book, or least favorite book. I know when I was much younger, I hated TWL, and thought it was unbearable. I didn't like the feel of the Land, it felt alien. But as I grew older, and especially on my last re-read, I really liked it a lot, thought it was a masterpiece. Now, my only complaint (about the 1st and 2nd) is WGW. I liked the second half or so, but the story felt kind of choppy, or strangely glued together. I don't know exactly how to put it. Its been a couple of years since I read it I think, but wasn't there something with a snow monster with a croyel on it? I know of all the books it stands out the least in my memory. So I would say WGW stands out as worst and least favorite.

[Horrim Carabal]

I am not sure if this is a question of worst book, or least favorite book. I know when I was much younger, I hated TWL, and thought it was unbearable. I didn't like the feel of the Land, it felt alien. But as I grew older, and especially on my last re-read, I really liked it a lot, thought it was a masterpiece. Now, my only complaint (about the 1st and 2nd) is WGW. I liked the second half or so, but the story felt kind of choppy, or strangely glued together. I don't know exactly how to put it. Its been a couple of years since I read it I think, but wasn't there something with a snow monster with a croyel on it? I know of all the books it stands out the least in my memory. So I would say WGW stands out as worst and least favorite.

I agree with you about WGW. The first half is sub-par, but the second half is awesome.

TWL made me depressed when I read it, sad for what had been lost in the Land, but I loved it then (25 years ago! I was a fascinated 13-yr old) and still love it now.

[peter]

The shock of the Land's destruction at the begining of TWL is something I think that hits us all, but one of the things that for me made the book a fantastic treat was the way things from the past were re-introduced peice-meal untill you realised that the Land you loved was not dead at all - just hidden. (ie the Aliantha, Haruchai, Andelain, Giants and sur-Jeherrin scenes).