Forest Mage

[Anomander]

Not sure I understand you correctly here. The viewpoint is that of Nevare and obviously, he doesn't believe that the plains people or the Specks are anything but savages because that's what he's been brought up to think. I don't believe you can blame Robin Hobb for that since the whole story is in Nevare's perspective. Of course, you might be saying something different and I might be missing the point here

But there are indeed hints and in the story (at least in Forest Mage, haven't gotten to Renegade's Magic yet) where she manages to convey the fact that while the Gernians might think them savages, the Specks might have a culture of their own which is nothing like that of the Gernians. She also conveys the image that neither of the cultures are inferior to the other - just different. The place where that came out strongest for me was when Nevare visits the Speck village with Olikea and sees not a village of huts but a people who live completely one with nature ...

Hmm. You may have a point there - maybe I am indeed overreacting. I just felt that the description of their culture didn't quite negate the bad impressions that people had. It felt like Nevare was observing the specks culture from the eyes of an outsiders, I didn't get the feel that he was describing the specks culture as a speck. Perhaps that was actually what she was trying to do....

 

[Fahim]

I just felt that the description of their culture didn't quite negate the bad impressions that people had. It felt like Nevare was observing the specks culture from the eyes of an outsiders, I didn't get the feel that he was describing the specks culture as a speck.

I take it that you haven't read Renegade's Magic yet? I've just started reading it and by about chapter fifteen, you'll notice that Nevare is describing the Specks in a completely different way In fact, he admits to the fact that he'd been thinking of the Specks as uncivilized savages and had never considered the fact that they might have a completely different culture and civilization than the Gernians ... In fact, Renegade's Magic seems to be a much better book than Forest Mage. It's definitely not as annoying as Forest Mage but it's still slow - I'm almost halfway through the book and nothing much of importance has happened yet

 

[Elsid]

I liked the books a lot actually. Old Robin does seem to have a thing about her main charecters letting/making everyone think they are dead.

Though I didn't enjoy the books as much as the 'Farseer' and 'Tawny man' books, her style of writing is absolutly amazing. She puts so much depth into her charecters and her descritpions are wonderfully vivid.

I did find Navare a bit annoying though, but I still liked him. He's well meaning at least.

 

[Rosemary]

I didn't like the Tawny Man books very much and yet I enjoyed Forest Mage. I have to agree though, her character Navar was not well thought out. The story line was good and so I am looking forward to reading Renegade's Magic.

 

[murphy]

I didn't like the Tawny Man books very much and yet I enjoyed Forest Mage. I have to agree though, her character Navar was not well thought out. The story line was good and so I am looking forward to reading Renegade's Magic.

Things do get better in Renegade's Magic.

 

[nixie]

Forest Mage, I enjoyed the first half but then she seemed to lose it 3/4 of the way through but I carried on and was hooked enough to finish the series. Renegade's Magic, I found good in parts but over all disappointing. The series had so much potential,but never lived up to it.

 

[The Ace]

I think Hobb does a reasonable job of capturing the essence of Nevare and his people's view of the world.

The Specks are seen early on as naked savages because that's what they are to the Gernians (spoilers ahead).

Nevare first learns that the Speck markings are man-made, and then sees them wear clothes as Winter approaches before finally seeing their culture for what it is, sophisticated but completely alien.

On the whole, I enjoyed this series, especially the clash of cultures, neither of whom really understood the other due to a lack of common ground.

 

[Sar]

I've been reading the series. I really liked the first two books. But I am getting really sick of Navare fighting with his other self. I am also sick of his tireless sense of duty. Characters have to change and grow in order to be interesting.

 

[Quokka]

Forrest Mage spoilers

Just finished Forrest Mage and I seem to be slightly opposite to a lot of readers, I really struggled through Shaman's Crossing and the first half of Forrest Mage but felt it picked up a lot in the second half.

I thought the whole private school/acadamy thing had been done so many times before and the fact that Nevare continued to be blind to things that the reader and even other characters could see has been annoying (from memory didn't Fitz do some of this as well?) to the point that I was starting to really dread reading about the wedding which maybe I should put down to good writing.

From the time he left his home again I thought things started to improve, the only problem I have with Nevare's obesity is we knew from the very start that he was going to be isolated and mistreated, Hobb really seem's like beating her main characters down so in her next series I'm really, really hoping her main character isn't an outcast of any sort! But other than that I thought she did a great job writing Nevare's transformation, please just let him be over he's 'why me' phase in Renegade Mage.

I must have had Forrest Mage for almost a year before I read it (I bought it more for a friend who had enjoyed Shaman's Crossing) but I'm certainly planning on reading Renegade Mage a lot sooner.

 

[dreir]

..But at the same time, I keep thinking that this is not the best way to spend my time if I simply wanted enjoyment out of reading..

Exactly what I was thinking throughout the 2 months or so it took for me to finish reading it! Every time I picked it up, I'd get through maybe 3 pages before despair overwhelmed me. I love Hobb to the extent that I want her kids, but I'll not quickly forgive her for putting me through such a torturous ordeal. And I'm not talking about her writing - it's flawless as usual - but in the way that she's characterised Nevare. I lose myself in her main characters (like Fitz) very completely, and to lose myself inside Nevare - who already has another person in him, besides! - was, in short, hellish. I still think the whole series was a sort of exercise on Hobb's part to see how far she could go with certain things. I've dealt with themes of futility and inevitability before and done admirably, but in Nevare I met my match.

I'm still gathering the broken pieces of my courage and my love of life around me and who knows, maybe in 5 years' time I will be ready to dive into Renegade's Magic?

- Dreir -

 

[Fahim]

I'm still gathering the broken pieces of my courage and my love of life around me and who knows, maybe in 5 years' time I will be ready to dive into Renegade's Magic?

I can certainly sympathize and empathize It's been a while since I read the two books but I do believe Renegade's Magic does get (slightly) better ...