For All the Ladies...

[jacob Raver, sinTempter]

Ladies,

I'd love your imput concerning Linden in RotE.

The book is flat out slow. Not much happens. I try to give SRD t-ben-o-t-dot, trying to figure out why he's writing it this way...

So, one of my theories is this:

This story is written from Linden's perspective and I'm wondering if the pacing and style - looking more into what Linden is thinking and feeling, taking more time with the story and characters - might be because SRD wanted to make Linden's viewpoint more authentic...and hence, more female in texture and affect?

Also, I'm wondering if you truly identify with her, and you're opinions on RotE vs. other Cov books and why.

[thewormoftheworld'send]

Worm is obviously no lady, but I thought I would chime in anyway concerning an assumption you just made in your post.

You made two statements: 1. RoTE is slow, and 2. it looks more into LA's thinking and feeling in order to make her more authentic.

It could be, however, that by focusing so much on LA, SRD was attempting to distract his readers' attention away from other things. Indeed, LA has so focused her attention on herself and her own needs that she is completely blind to solving any mysteries. For example, she did not bother to cogitate on the mystery of the Demondim attack, she simply employed power against it. And her attention was so focused inward, and away from TC, throughout FR that she was blind to the obvious truth. LA's inner world is complex, but her solutions to external problems are ham-handed and simplistic. She has learned nothing about the hazards of power from her previous experience in the Land, or she has forgotten them on the basis of the immediate need of saving her son.

[Reisheiruhime]

I'm a lady! *Tom Jones sings softly in the background*

I identify with Linden on a visceral level. And yes, her maternal obsession, her self-involvement, her inattention to external conflict... All very female. Very female. I see a few good shots of denial mixed in there as well. And when she does figure something out, I get the impression that SRD might have been thinging of Homer Simpson's "DOH!" moments... But is that really a bad thing? Well, yeah, if survival is high on your list of priorities. "Oh, um, we're gonna die if you don't ward us, Linden Avery." How exactly can she ward you if she can't even use the white gold? She can barely get to it. I can see the wild magic being wild with TC, but wasn't she able to fine tune it in the 2nd chrons? It's been ten years - maybe the facet of her mind that was able to control the white gold has changed. But why not admit this? "Sorry, guys, but I'm not exactly able to work the ring. So, in the words of Monty Python's knights, run away! Run away!"

Er... yeah. But the female perspective thing is definitely slowing things down.

Spoiler

(That's what I picture Galt saying after he figures out that the skurj can't be made to move aside... Run away! Run away! It's a very old and honorable tradition to run away!

[thewormoftheworld'send]

I'm a lady! *Tom Jones sings softly in the background*

I identify with Linden on a visceral level. And yes, her maternal obsession, her self-involvement, her inattention to external conflict... All very female. Very female. I see a few good shots of denial mixed in there as well. And when she does figure something out, I get the impression that SRD might have been thinging of Homer Simpson's "DOH!" moments... But is that really a bad thing? Well, yeah, if survival is high on your list of priorities. "Oh, um, we're gonna die if you don't ward us, Linden Avery." How exactly can she ward you if she can't even use the white gold? She can barely get to it. I can see the wild magic being wild with TC, but wasn't she able to fine tune it in the 2nd chrons? It's been ten years - maybe the facet of her mind that was able to control the white gold has changed. But why not admit this? "Sorry, guys, but I'm not exactly able to work the ring. So, in the words of Monty Python's knights, run away! Run away!"

Er... yeah. But the female perspective thing is definitely slowing things down.

Spoiler

(That's what I picture Galt saying after he figures out that the skurj can't be made to move aside... Run away! Run away! It's a very old and honorable tradition to run away!

LA has moments of "female intuition," such as the time she decided to board the Dromond and leave Vain in Elemesnedene knowing full well that he would try to follow her. Even at that time, she admitted to herself that she was "right for a change" or words to that effect.

I get the feeling that SRD enjoys writing from the female perspective. He originally wanted the Second Chrons to consist of four books, which would have given him plenty of time to understand some of his own characters better, especially LA. SRD stated somewhere that he did not think he understood LA well enough in the latter half of WGW. It appears that this time around he is giving himself enough room to appreciate her internal conflicts.

That's why I divided the OP's post into two separate issues: the space given to developing and understanding the characters takes time. And then there is the fact that SRD was focusing on LA to try and distract his readers from external conundrums thus keeping the plot shrouded in mystery.

[jacob Raver, sinTempter]

But shrouding the plot in mystery, IMHO, kills the stories' ability to hold the attention of a new reader. Yes, no one should start with Runes, but in reality, many will start here.

I think SRD owes the n00bs something a little more exiting and enthralling than this, don't you?

[thewormoftheworld'send]

I'm waiting and hoping for a huge payoff at the end. Knowing SRD, we won't be let down.