Well, isn't that just PERFECT.
Robert Jordan died.
For years, I avoided the 'Wheel of Time' series. Too trendy, too talked about, it just didn't appeal to me. It seemed as though EVERYONE was reading it, and I've often found that when EVERYONE likes something, it turns out to be a tad disappointing. (Take that piece of crap movie 'Sideways' for an example - most overrated movie EVAR) However, before Christmas of last year, out of sheer desperation for a new series, I picked up the first WoT novel. I have since read all eleven titles in the series, plus the prequal that was released in 2004. Throughout this series, I have been aggravated and frustrated, to the point of sighing, frowning, complaining, yelling at the books, and throwing them down in a fit of "GAH!", because certain aspects of Jordan's writing style drive me absolutely bonkers (a fact I believe I've covered in previous posts). However, I am hooked on the storyline, and hooked on a number of the characters. Since reading the prequal, I have started the series over, for a couple of reasons: a) I missed some subtelties and plot connections that became more obvious later on; b) some of the more 'minor' players earlier in the series pop back up, and earlier actions/etc are referenced later on, leaving me confused; c) I have nothing else to read; and d) the next book in the series (either the final book, or the 2nd to final book) was supposed to be published sometime in late '07 or '08, and I wanted to be up-to-date once it came out.
But then Mr. Jordan died.
I knew I shouldn't have gotten enmeshed in this series! I knew it all along, and went against my better judgement! Now, all the frustration, all of the aggravation I suffered through because I wanted to know how it all turned out, all if it is for nothing! My soul is HOWLING with frustration right now! And I know, I should be sad, I should be sympathetic - a man has lost his life, and all I can think about is me, me, me. But seriously! What the hell am I supposed to do now?! Series authors, especially those with a fan base such as Mr. Jordan had, should be required by law to have an outline that sums up all the plot twists and endings, and they should have to name someone to carry on with the series in the event of their own early demise. This isn't fair to loyal readers. I should sue!
You know, maybe he's faking it. Maybe he just couldn't handle the attention anymore. Perhaps he came down with a serious case of writer's block, panicked, and faked his own death. Maybe he couldn't live up to the claims he was making about finishing the series in 'one or two more books'. I certainly couldn't see how everything could be resolved with just one more book due out in the series - the idea of it had me thinking, "If he leaves me wondering what happens to so-and-so..." But now he's left me wondering what happens with EVERY so-and-so!
And I didn't want to read the series in the first place!!!!!!!!
For years, I avoided the 'Wheel of Time' series. Too trendy, too talked about, it just didn't appeal to me. It seemed as though EVERYONE was reading it, and I've often found that when EVERYONE likes something, it turns out to be a tad disappointing. (Take that piece of crap movie 'Sideways' for an example - most overrated movie EVAR) However, before Christmas of last year, out of sheer desperation for a new series, I picked up the first WoT novel. I have since read all eleven titles in the series, plus the prequal that was released in 2004. Throughout this series, I have been aggravated and frustrated, to the point of sighing, frowning, complaining, yelling at the books, and throwing them down in a fit of "GAH!", because certain aspects of Jordan's writing style drive me absolutely bonkers (a fact I believe I've covered in previous posts). However, I am hooked on the storyline, and hooked on a number of the characters. Since reading the prequal, I have started the series over, for a couple of reasons: a) I missed some subtelties and plot connections that became more obvious later on; b) some of the more 'minor' players earlier in the series pop back up, and earlier actions/etc are referenced later on, leaving me confused; c) I have nothing else to read; and d) the next book in the series (either the final book, or the 2nd to final book) was supposed to be published sometime in late '07 or '08, and I wanted to be up-to-date once it came out.
But then Mr. Jordan died.
I knew I shouldn't have gotten enmeshed in this series! I knew it all along, and went against my better judgement! Now, all the frustration, all of the aggravation I suffered through because I wanted to know how it all turned out, all if it is for nothing! My soul is HOWLING with frustration right now! And I know, I should be sad, I should be sympathetic - a man has lost his life, and all I can think about is me, me, me. But seriously! What the hell am I supposed to do now?! Series authors, especially those with a fan base such as Mr. Jordan had, should be required by law to have an outline that sums up all the plot twists and endings, and they should have to name someone to carry on with the series in the event of their own early demise. This isn't fair to loyal readers. I should sue!
You know, maybe he's faking it. Maybe he just couldn't handle the attention anymore. Perhaps he came down with a serious case of writer's block, panicked, and faked his own death. Maybe he couldn't live up to the claims he was making about finishing the series in 'one or two more books'. I certainly couldn't see how everything could be resolved with just one more book due out in the series - the idea of it had me thinking, "If he leaves me wondering what happens to so-and-so..." But now he's left me wondering what happens with EVERY so-and-so!
And I didn't want to read the series in the first place!!!!!!!!