[frogbeastegg]

I am always surprised when people mention having difficulty getting into Bakker; he had me hooked right from the first page. I read book 1 in a single day, immediately ordered book 2, and read that inside of two days. That was about 4 months ago. I am itching to re-read the two books, but I doubt I shall be able to until the third book is here :glances sideways at her 'to-read' mountain, and thinks of the many books she wants to buy soonish:

I don't like Achameon(SP?) much though, which seems to make me even odder; along with Cniaur (SP? I don't have my copy of the book in easy reach at the mo) he is the character people seem to latch onto most. I'm also odd in that I didn't find The Warrior Prophet to be much better than the first book; it was very good, but several things didn't quite work for me.

I love the court intrigue; the Emperor, his mother, Conphas - those were some of my favourite scenes.

Bakker is one of the best authors I've read in the last year, and more than worth any perseverance it might take.

I can't wait for book 3; I shall be importing a nice Canadian HB, rather than wait a long time for an ugly UK edition. I have the other two in Canadian HB anyway, so it will be a lovely matching set :D

[Scott Bakker]

I'm not sure this is an appropriate thread for my forum. People tend to be more open with their criticisms in the corner bar than in your livingroom. That said, I can't help but sound off, because I've been thinking much the same thing.

After reading through The Thousandfold Thought for the umpteenth time (for the second proofs, after reading it for the first proofs, after reading it for the copy edit, after reading it for the final submission, after reading it for the first draft), I can say with all honesty that I find Bakker to be an incredible pain in the ass to read. And a pompous bore to boot.

How any writer can treat their own writing with anything other than disdain after going through this process is beyond me.

That said, time does heal all wounds. I did reread The Darkness a year ago in preparation for concluding TTT, and I thought it was frickin brilliant. And so it goes...

Only my meds understand me.

[Hobbit]

LOL.

This way, Scott........only a little more proof reading.....that's right, the happy place is this way.... :)

Hobbit

[Evil Agent]

LOL.. that was an amusing post, Scott. I've never heard an author discuss reading their own work before.

I've often wondered about that, seeing as authors must have to read their books a thousand times before they're released. Now I know...! The part about you re-reading Darkness was also amusing for some reason.

Anyway, you've seriously climbed my to-read list, and you're now also on my to-buy list. I think I'll be reading Prince of Nothing by the end of the year.

[ifaznu]

I am enjoying the book very much, don't get me wrong.
Still chewing.
must eat the steak!
Mastication at its best!


Hey evil agent, i think you will like the book.

I did get hooked right away but it was a slow learning curve with the names that are difficult to get used to.

I got past the hump in herbert im sure ill get past the hump in bakker




Hi Scott

Funny post
thanks for the book
jaw muscles getting buff




:)

[Leiali]

I'm not sure this is an appropriate thread for my forum. People tend to be more open with their criticisms in the corner bar than in your livingroom.

I dunno Scott, I tell you what I honestly think all the time!


After reading through The Thousandfold Thought for the umpteenth time (for the second proofs, after reading it for the first proofs, after reading it for the copy edit, after reading it for the final submission, after reading it for the first draft), I can say with all honesty that I find Bakker to be an incredible pain in the ass to read. And a pompous bore to boot.
Well you only have to ask! I'd be quite happy to read it for you, and take the weight off your mind :) (I mean, I have to wait virtually a whole year for it to be published here)

Did I do the quote unquote thing right? Hm...

[Zee]

I love the analogy of eating a steak! LOL. Great comparison. I couldn't quite put it into words but I feel the Bakker book was "dense" and I find myself frequently flipping to the back of the book and going through the appendices to figure stuff out. :)

The comparison to Dune and the all houses / back story are valid, but I found Dune easier to get through for some reason.

Speaking of Dune, anyone reading the prequal books? They've taken quite the critcism from Dune fans and while I agree they're nowhere close to the original series, they do pass the time away with pretty good stories (kinda like watching a cheesy action movie which you know isn't Oscar material but still entertains you)

[Rahl Windsong]

I enjoy Scott Bakker's work because it really does challenge the mind to comprehend it all. However like the original poster said its not easy to read all at once or in one sitting like some books.

Same goes for Erikson though I find that I can read more of his books at one sitting and I can read a book of Erikson's quicker then I do Scott's.

As for the pure story teller I think George RR Martin has them both beat his story is just so easy to read yet its not a simple story. Perhaps that is why it takes George so long to write his books.

Rahl

[ifaznu]

I have found erikson easy to read and understand. There really is not any
deep philosophy to chew on. THe sotry is good and keeps me going strong.

Martin hooks you with characters and drama. The story is good but not super deep if you break it down. ( i do really like martin)

Bakker has a good story, good characters, and deep philosophy.
It challenges you in a way that martin and erikson does not.


I suppose you can make an argument that making a story easy to follow makes a writer a good one. But does it make a writer a better story teller?

When ive read a book that is fun and engaging thats great.

When I have read a book that makes me really think It is more fulfilling.