first book

Stephen Donaldson doesn't like H.P.Lovecraft; they're two of my all-time favourite authors. However, I can see things from your perspective as well - I think I'd be discouraged from checking out an author if he voiced negative opinions about my favourite authors. Still, let's not get too defensive about it, the man doesn't need to have written lots of books before holding an opinion about other people's work.
 
Valko said:
When ICE has written a few more books, then perhaps he can pass judgement on other authors writing styles.
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I understand your viewpoint, but simply re-iterate my earlier point - if people have to have published many books to have a valid opinion on an author, what the hell are we doing discussing authors here - surely we don't have valid opinions either?
 
The difference is, I'm not an author. I don't begrudge ICE his comments but he's put my back up, and by what you posted earlier, he also upset other Martin fans.
ICE is in the business of writing and trying to sell books, saying something like that may alienate potential readers.
 
I get the impression that he doesn't expect his work to appeal to the sort of readers who like Martin, anyway. Honestly, with the ridiculous amount of fanboyism George R. Martin receives in pretty much every fantasy community across the globe, it's refreshing to see somebody voice a different opinion - how on earth it can be deemed offensive I'm really not sure. It's one thing to say "hm, ok, he doesn't like Martin's work therefore there's a good chance I won't like his", and quite another thing to condemn him for his opinion (although, I agree, he probably should've got the name of the series right if he wanted to get taken seriously :D - I'm sure he just got mixed up with A Storm of Swords however). This comment isn't aimed at anyone in particular, btw.
 
To be honest, ICE's audience is pretty much guarenteed anyway - it's malazan backstory, so Erikson has already done the hard work for him :D
 
This argument. Again. Crikey. When ICE first made those comments it generated some heat, so when Pat from Pat's Fantasy Hotlist did a Q&A a little while later he asked him about his initial comments. Here's the reply:

Thank you for the chance to respond to this flame-up. Firstly, have I read Martin’s series? Yes, with great pleasure -- overall. That I “singled him out” (so to speak) by actually mentioning him simply demonstrates that I think he is worth mentioning. That I think he’s worth mentioning should indicate a lot about my regard for him as a writer, overall, in the genre – someone whose contribution is significant enough that it cannot be ignored. In my opinion he is an excellent writer, one of the most talented in the genre, and as an avid reader of fantasy I welcome that. However (here it comes), the Latin saying is: “There is no disputing matters of taste.” Of course there are elements of his series, A SONG OF ICE AND FIRE, that are not to my taste. This should be true for any reader of any series or author. I raised one of those elements (chivalric panoply and conventions) previously as an example. I may have been too peremptory and if so I apologize for that.
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(btw, he said in the same interview that Return of the Crimson Guard takes place on Quon Tali and the one after that takes place on Korelri)

I think the problem is that I think ICE meant he isn't keen on the use of the medieval mileu as a setting for fantasy stories (maybe he had a bad experience with Terry Brooks when he was younger or something), rather than the use of medieval cliches, since GRRM doesn't really do that. One of the lead elements of ASoIaF is showing that chivalry doesn't really exist off the tourney field: the second war comes, it goes out of the window.

At the end of the day authors' opinions are just that, opinions. Sometimes you agree with them and sometimes you don't. It's also worth mentioning that Erikson hasn't read GRRM (as far as I know) and GRRM only read Gardens of the Moon and wasn't impressed. As far as I know he didn't dislike it, he just couldn't see what the fuss was about (and to be fair, based on GotM by itself, he does kind of have a point). Bakker said the same thing, then he read Deadhouse Gates and was blown away by it (common reaction).

As for Night of Knives: hell, I'm not spending £35 on it. Wait four months and get the Bantam edition off Amazon.co.uk.
 
Just finished Gardens of the Moon - whoohooo! Loved it!
A pox and a plague upon all of you who "twisted my arm" and MADE me buy and read this book! :)
Now I'm hooked! So much going on in GotM - how many characters can a 1st novel introduce? Sheesh. Loved all of the back and forth POV's and action. Fast paced and fun - loved it!
Is Deadhouse Gates the next book?
-g-
 
Aye, Deadhouse Gates. Which, you'll be glad to hear, has an almost entirely new character cast :D
 
Hi im totaly new to Erikson and reading Gardens of the moon right now.

Usually i dont like this type of fantasy and the book is confusing as hell but its interesting. I hope the other books is as good as it is said.

Speaking about GRRM, i was reading not long ago A Game of Thrones and wasnt impressed at all. Despite the hype i have no plans to read him again in the near future.

Erikson i like his effective prose and i like the world even the first book you are thrown in the middle of things.
 
Yeah, a lot of people are put off by being thrown right into the middle of it. I enjoy it, personally:D As long as you don't need detailed explanations in advance, it's fine!
 
I am used to it now. Even in Djuristhan(sp?) with the hole assassin war,mage cabal and Krupke's wierd dreams didnt seem strange when i saw it.

Funny the start of the book is much easier to understand than everything that happens in the last free city.


Now i really understand people that kept telling me not to give up on the first book cause it was wierd and not as good as the other books.


It isnt easy to understand things but its interesting at every turn and twist and that is what keeps me not being bothered by the book being "special" in how its written.
 
Well, I actively liked Gardens... personally. Probably my third or fourth favorite in the series.


But then, I'm quite strange.
 
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