The Tale Remains Untold

[fredericks]

According to George R.R. Martin, Robert Jordan has died. I'm sure I speak for a lot of fans when I say "well, shit".

Comments

[sometimesdee.livejournal.com]

I agree. Though I don't think I can believe it until I see a more "credible" source. Another author's LJ, one blog entry, and Wikipedia are all that I can find right now.

[fredericks.livejournal.com]

True. Although I would tend to believe Martin, as he can substantiate the rumors by simply calling up mutual friends and/or Jordan's wife.

[sometimesdee.livejournal.com]

Yeah, but I don't want to believe him!

[klaw.livejournal.com]

So, you want to milk a series for a bunch of extra books without resolving any major plot items, eh?

Ha! Karma! Suck it, Jordan!

(I reserve the right to feel bad about this post if, in fact, he is actually dead.)

[fredericks.livejournal.com]

I'm sort of saying that, but I think the writing really went downhill as his illness kicked in. Sort of hard to concentrate on things like plot and resolutions when a) your wife's now your sole editor and b) you're dealing with flare-ups.

Dammit, I still want to know what happens to Matt, though.

[anogete.livejournal.com]

I have the first five novels in that series, and now I'm torn as to whether I should read them or not. I got them used about a year ago, but I haven't even opened them up yet. I'm sure one day I will read them, and then I'll be all sad when I get to the last novel and realize it is unfinished.

Perhaps they could half-ass it like Frank Herbert's son did with the Dune series. He finished out the last novel using his father's notes. He also wrote several prequel novels in the process.

[fredericks.livejournal.com]

The first four-five books are stunningly amazing works of fantasy. The world that Jordan creates is wonderfully in-depth, and after a bit of a slow start you get drawn in easily. After that it all goes to pot. I'm thinking it was his illness that led to the exhausting detail and the sudden surge in new characters, but it is all distracting. You can walk away from the first couple of books happy, but reading the rest - even with the lack of resolution because of the author's passing - is frustrating to the max. I'd say read 'em.

I hope they don't go the pick up route. Knowing how things work, though, and how very popular Jordan's books were (I'm pretty sure the later ones hit the NYT Bestseller List almost immediately after being released) I'm thinking they'll half-ass a couple.

[xwinterwolfx.livejournal.com]

It's been posted on dragonmount.com (not sure how credible that is) and also has found it's way to Slashdot. I think it's true and he is dead.

It's a shame to see anyone go like that but I have to say I sure am glad I quit reading that series after Book 9.

[fredericks.livejournal.com]

I think we both stopped at the same point. It lost most of its direction earlier IMO, but I kept reading because I was curious as to how things would work out. I would have liked some inkling as to where the author was heading, at least.

[lanaya1980.livejournal.com]

Yup, first read the news on the BBC website, then here. Not the slightest fan of his books, but such a shame to lose a writer at such a young age - 58 is nothing these days.

Did he ever finish the Wheel of Time Series? I only ever picked up book 1.

[fredericks.livejournal.com]

WoT is still unfinished. Around book four he said he thought he'd wrap things up with a Book Seven, but he kept putting out new volumes.

[peacelizard.livejournal.com]

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20070917.wjordan0917/BNStory/Entertainment/?page=rss&id=RTGAM.20070917.wjordan0917

[fredericks.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the link.

[stormbringer986.livejournal.com]

My friend told me today when I was at her apartment, and I sat there and stared at her for a second because I was waiting for her to go "lawlz kidding!" or something.

It sucks so much.

[fredericks.livejournal.com]

I really wish someone would publish *just* his notes, so we can figure out what happens to the characters. Knowing how the publishing game works, though, we're going to get some schmoe to work on his unfinished book...and drag everything out over as many dead trees as possible. Gah.