[ldb111781]

Should Terry Goodkind be considered one of the best new fantasy authors? If not what flaws do you see in his writing?

[allanon]

Yes, he is quite good, however that he isn't in my list of favourite authors.

[Eventine]

I'm sure there are as many answers to that question as there are posters on this board.

*Dives into fallout shelter before another Goodkind war starts*

[ChrisW]

Depends how you define best. He is one of the more popular authors as in books sold and I personally find his books mildly entertaining but as i'm sure you will soon find out a lot of people here dislike him.

best = books sold: Yes he is.
best = talent: No.

[Cadfael]

I agree... not the worlds best, but a long way from being the worst. The books are entertaining... and I have the latest on my shelf.. waiting for me to get around to it...

I gave up defending Goodkind long ago... now I just qietly sit in the closet when I read them http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/biggrin.gif Behind sandbags and barbed wire!!!

[asimovian]

I don't know Terry Goodkind... but Michael Moorcock is no doubt one of the best.

[Rob B]

Guess it's that time of the month for the author poll....

Goodkind isn't new and he writes crap, so no he shouldn't be considered in the top, unless as Caldazar points out you are going by sales.

Goodkind's flaws: Characters are one dimensional, he lacks originality (Darken Rahl/Darth Vader Sisters of Light/Aes Sedai), writes virtually the same story with each book (at least the first three), has horrible dialogue, complete lack of beleivability with his characters.

Now lack of originality is not an uncommon trait in fantasy, many fantasy authors use similar myths and historical events for thier stories, but it is the way they spin the tale with their own voice that separates the line.

For new, I'll give some good ones:

James Barclay
David Farland (at least under that name)
J. Gregory Keyes
John Marco
China Mieville
Matthew Woodring Stover

[milamber_reborn]

Top authors list (in no particular order) I put together when I joined this site):

David Eddings
Tad Williams
George R R Martin
Roger Zelazny
Sara Douglass
Terry Goodkind
Robin Hobb
Stephen Donaldson
Guy Gavriel Kay
Kate Elliot
Anne McCaffry
Gene Wolfe
James Barclay
Terry Pratchett
J K Rowlings
Margaret Weis Tracy & Hickman
Terry Brooks
Katherine Kerr
David Gemmell
Stephen Erikson
China Meilvile

and Robert Jordan, Raymond E Fiest adn Tolkien who I've read.

[Decado]

It is all so subjective the only reason one would argue is because it's fun http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/smile.gif

Anyhow, Goodkind is good...though he has gone downhill over the last few years (though not as badly as Feist or Eddings...who should no longer be published, IMO).

[asimovian]

Come on milamber_reborn, what about Michael Moorcock ?
I am sure you mentioned quite a few of the top-notch fantasy talents, especially Tolkien who is about a demigod now, but you can't get around Moorcock. Come on, admit you just overlooked him.