Kevin's Watch

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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...

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

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

Check it out where?

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.

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

Welcome to the Gap forum, Morn!

Loremaster wrote:Welcome to the Gap forum, Morn!

Thanks for the warm welcome, Loremaster!

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