66 of 71 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Comparisons, May 2, 2002
This review is from: From The Two Rivers: The Eye of the World, Book 1 (Paperback)
The Wheel of Time series has been compared to the earlier works of J.R.R. Tolkien (writings that would later become the Silmarillion and The Books of Lost Tales, as well as The Lays of Beleriand and the other books that Chris has "scraped" together). Robert Jordan's works have also been compared to an "adult Harry Potter."
Now, it's natural to make comparisons between different fantasy series, and I support the spirit behind most of them, but many people that make this comparison miss many key factors in the Wheel of Time series that would attract people that didn't like The Lord of the Rings or Harry Potter, and that would also drive away some that did. I'm going to analyze these factors here.
(1) The political environment in the Wheel of Time is the most fully developed I've seen in fantasy, ever. There are twenty-odd countries in his world, all of which have expanded to their full power potential. Jordan uses political subversion and intrigues in his novels, where it's impossible to do as much with the three Wizard Schools of Rowling or Tolkien's 4 nations: Gondor, Mordor, Harad, and Rhun.
(2) Jordan writes much more in depth than any of the other authors. Where Tolkien skims over the journey south from Rivendell to Moria, saying that it was "some 40 days," Jordan follows Rand and Mat through the most dull portions of their journey to Caemlyn, and Elayne and Nynaeve through the sometimes tedious politicking at Salidar. He paints a real world, with lulls and periods of excitement that make you truly believe in the ta'veren.
(3) The hopelessness that Rand faces is far beyond that which Frodo or Harry faces. Let's analyze Frodo Baggins, Hobbit of the Shire, first. He's a simple creature, taking an item of extreme power into the realm of a lesser god, in order to destroy it. The Maia Sauron opposes him, the Maia Olorin (Gandalf) moves with him much of the way. Harry's a human... facing a human. Oh jeez, I don't know if he can handle it (that's not to say there's no hint of hopelessness, but, as a children's novel, Harry Potter is much simpler and much less dark than the other two). Rand, on the other hand, is facing the single greatest force in the world, the Father of Lies, Master of the Grave. Even with the Choedan Kal at his disposal, a ter'angreal that could lay waste to a continent in a single stroke... and his own massive strength as the Dragon Reborn... he still doesn't have more than a hope of defeating this irresistable force.
Now, there's other differences, but I'm sure as you read, that you'll pick them up. Where the Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter seem intended for the more casual fantasy readers, the Wheel of Time bears no competition for it's depth and sheer beauty of storytelling. It's at times obvious how much Jordan planned the future of his world (I'd get into Min's foretellings, and how well Jordan uses foreshadowing in EotW to tell us about future books, even up to Winters Heart, but that's for a different essay), far beyond what Tolkien or Rowling did. That's not to say either of the latter authors is poor, but Tolkien was a linguist before storyteller, and Rowling is telling a story to children.
Here's the final verdict. For the most part, if you consider Harry Potter of The Lord of the Rings complex to the limit of your desire for complexity, certainly do not get involved in this book. The first book is nearly addictive, but as the series rolls on, it becomes wearing for anyone who is not absolutely enamoured of deep storytelling and prose that tells a story that's true to life.
The Wheel of Time's complexity is what should draw you. The purpose of fantasy is to escape into it's grasp, and picture yourself as part of the world, or as one of the characters. You are so intimately linked to Mat, Rand, Egwene, Perrin, Faile, Moiraine, Lan, Aviendha, Elayne.... that this is possible beyond what is in other fantasy novels.
Read the Wheel of Time if you have a lot of Time to roll away in solitude.
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37 of 39 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Same Incredible story, new art, new Material, December 27, 2001
This review is from: From The Two Rivers: The Eye of the World, Book 1 (Paperback)
This is a new edition of "THE EYE OF THE WORLD" by Robert Jordan. This is NOT a new book, so don't expect it to be. What it is though, is a way to introduce younger readers to one of the most popular and well-written Fantasy series' of our time.
This edition is only half of the original edition (but it's still a good couple hundred pages!). There are illustrations throughout the books, and even a new chapter not found in the original.
Some people may complain about various things, but the bottom line is that this is the same incredible saga. It's the same moving tale of young people discovering a larger world, and of a boy learning he is fated to both save and destroy the world.
The Wheel of Time is a saga that has captivated millions. At times it is controversial, and sometimes even a bit slow. But for the most part: nothing is like it.
Try this book. If you don't like it: oh well. If you do though...you'll want them all.
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94 of 119 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars
A Tricky Dissapointment, December 18, 2001
This review is from: From The Two Rivers: The Eye of the World, Book 1 (Paperback)
I ordered this book and "Into the Blight" thinking they were new books, prequels in fact. (...) I own two paperbacks and one hardcover of "Eye of the World." These books are the same as that one, only divided up, with larger print, and new, pretty pictures on the cover. I'll stick with the WHOLE book, thanks.
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