The Dragonbone Chair by Tad Williams

[meganbmoore]

Simon is a kitchen boy in Osten Ard, home to Prester John, the high king. An orphan, Simon has been raised since birth by Rachel, who runs the kitchen. Very tall and absentminded, Simon is clumsy and not very good at much of anything. Nevertheless, he catches the eyes of Morgenes, Prester John’s doctor and biographer, and becomes his apprentice.

Comments

[morwen_peredhil]

I haven't read those books in ages, but I do remember that everything didn't go as I expected and there was a twist or two at the end. Very well done for what they are.

[meganbmoore]

Twists are good.

[fmanalyst]

I think I did read it twenty years ago, but I don't remember much about it. I'll say this about it: it never entered my reread pile.

[meganbmoore]

Based on this book, it falls under "worth reading all the way through once, but not a reread unless there's amazin stuff coming."

[fmanalyst]

That about sizes up my memory of it.

[meganbmoore]

Glancing at the rest of his backlog, I suspect I'll be more into his Otherland and Shadow series, both of which sound like he may have used this series as a sounding board.

[fire_snake]

I think that the plot was pretty standard even twenty years ago, otherwise I agree with you. It is not one of my very favorites, but it is not clunky, decently narrated, with well developed characters who don't do anything horrendously stupid. I read it about ten years ago, and I remember enjoying it.

[meganbmoore]

Most of this type of fantasy from 20 years ago was more blatantly Tolkein-esque. While this is clearly grown from Tolkein, it doesn't feel as closely lifted as some(most) others do. My main though on Simon is that he's Eragon made bearable.

And yeah, your comments about the writing and characters are my impression, too. I don't see it changing my world, but ti's a solid read, which is all that I require.

[fire_snake]

Definitely less self-centered and whiny:)

[meganbmoore]

But then, so is your average 2 year old.

[southerndave]

"Very well told, but fairly standard"

That was the case back when it first came out, as well. Was still a good read though. Never got around to giving it a second reading (must fix that one of these days...)

[meganbmoore]

I'm generous in this case, though, because there were 20 less years of genericness to have to stand out above.

[egelantier]

I love OoM so very much, oh. it's pretty standard, yeah, but it's told with such love and tenderness - with perfect worldbuilding, several storylines merging seamlessly together, wonderful and diverse cast. and the way he uses dreams and prophesies and parallels without bashing you over head with it. and his 'elves' are one of the best out there - he does shows their otherness without falling to post-Tokien's cliches.

and oh, how I adore Simon. he starts very childish, goes thorugh hell and back and grows up on his own - not because of 'hidden powers' or amulets or magic or whatever Gary Stuish powers are out there, but simply because he's decent man who wants to do the best he can. he's one of most pleasant high fantasy heroes to read about.

[meganbmoore]

Yup, pretty much. It's standard, but better told than a lot of more "original" stuff, so I'm fine with that.

Simon has already gone through enormous character growth. I think Tavi of Codex Alera is the best example of whiny brat to awesome guy character growth I can think of, but Simon, so far, is a close match.