Maxim Igensard/City of Isengard

Post by **Holt Fasner** » Sun Nov 28, 2004 1:49 pm

Hello all,

I've asked this question of the man himself over at www.stephenrdonaldson.org, but he has declined to answer it.....

The question is, Maxim Igensard's surname is so close to "Isengard" (the city in LOTR) to either be a massive coincidence or intentional.

Any ideas? Did SRD really come up with the name Igensard and not realise how similar it was to Isengard? I cannot believe that.

Cheers

Holt.

Post by **Loredoctor** » Mon Nov 29, 2004 8:56 am

I think because Igensard is a Nordish name (where Tolkein got it from, too I'd wager); and we know that SRD is inspired from Norse mythology.

Post by **Revan** » Mon Nov 29, 2004 10:44 am

heh, I always thought their was a connection... but in name only... there's nothing in common if you compare them... heh...

Post by **I'm Murrin** » Mon Nov 29, 2004 12:53 pm

Except, Darth, in that Isengard seeks to gain status with Sauron, while Igensard seeks to gain status with Fasner. Possibly another side effect of sharing source materials.

Post by **Revan** » Mon Nov 29, 2004 1:22 pm

I considered that... but Donaldson wouldn't try and make that lame ass connection.

Post by **theDespiser** » Fri Dec 24, 2004 2:41 am

yeah, that is pretty lame...heheh....if you mean 'source material' as in he got this from LOTR too, then i have to say i see no connection whatsoever between the gap series and lotr...

Post by **I'm Murrin** » Fri Dec 24, 2004 12:50 pm

No, I meant in Donaldson and Tolkien sharing some of the same influences.

Post by **Usivius** » Fri Dec 24, 2004 7:26 pm

Actually, SRD did answer this question on the gradual interview... check it out...

Post by **Lord Doom** » Wed Jan 05, 2005 4:18 pm

Check it out where?

Post by **I'm Murrin** » Wed Jan 05, 2005 4:40 pm

The Gradual Interview, like he said.

Heh. Anyway, go to stephenrdonaldson.com, 'From the Author', 'Gradual Interview', and search for 'Igensard' and 'Isengard' in the GAP.
There, he explains that he liked the sound of the name 'Maxim Isengard', but didn't want to completely rip off a name from Tolkien, so changed it to Igensard.

Post by **Morn** » Mon Apr 25, 2005 12:39 am

I noticed the similarity in names, too. I wonder if there are other examples like that in his other books.

Post by **Loredoctor** » Mon Apr 25, 2005 11:46 am

Welcome to the Gap forum, Morn!

Post by **Morn** » Tue Apr 26, 2005 11:25 pm

Loremaster wrote:Welcome to the Gap forum, Morn!

Thanks for the warm welcome, Loremaster!

Post by **Prebe** » Tue Aug 16, 2005 6:46 am

Heavy norse influence on naming. The completely strange name 'Sigurd' used in the GAP is an not altogether uncommon danish boy's name.

Kevin's Watch

Kevin's Watch

Maxim Igensard/City of Isengard

Maxim Igensard/City of Isengard

Weird