Jump to content

Wizard's First Rule


Antares

Recommended Posts

Oh, but may I ask something quickly to those who have read the whole thing through:

If it is so horrible, then why is it so popular, and on the recieving end of so much praise from critics? Is it because of the deep philosophies in the book?

I just threw up a little in my mouth.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Oh, but may I ask something quickly to those who have read the whole thing through:

If it is so horrible, then why is it so popular, and on the recieving end of so much praise from critics? Is it because of the deep philosophies in the book?

Critical praise or praise that is critical? I can't remember seeing any truly positive reviews of any TG work, especially with the recent books. Granted I don't go looking for them, they gotta exist I suppose, but really... :P

Link to comment
Share on other sites

If it is so horrible, then why is it so popular, and on the recieving end of so much praise from critics? Is it because of the deep philosophies in the book?

No, it's because of the Wizard's First Rule, which is "People are stupid"

Link to comment
Share on other sites

If it is so horrible, then why is it so popular, and on the recieving end of so much praise from critics? Is it because of the deep philosophies in the book?

My theory: The 'critics didn't bother to read the books. They just figured they're think and there's lots of them so they must be good. ;)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The book is popular because Tor launched a $250,000 PR campaign upon publication of the first book. The book is popular because it t is "easy" to read like a Left Behind or Chicken Soup for the Soul book: aka a "walmart special". It has gratuitous sex and violence to give 13 year olds hard-ons and palpitating heart beats. And, IMO, the covers by the artist that eventually took over are actually pretty good -- and they are the only good to Goodkind's garbage. The prose is horrendous, the ideas flat and oft-times flatout plagerized, the characters cardboard cutouts of wish fullfillment, the "philosophy" for those that haven't ever cracked an actual philosophical writer: it tends to appeal to the most bestial, selfish aspect of our evolutionary progress, a paradigm of me-first justification for arrogant nerds.

In other words, it is total shite written for the LCD. Read it just as a comparison for how low the genre can be, and as a guide for everything to avoid in the quest to write quality fiction.

And if you think it's bad now, just wait until the "we must ban fire!" speech.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'd say do what I did, oh lead star of Scorpius: finish the book. If you have to bite down on a piece of wood to keep from sinking your teeth into the tongue, do it.

Because then when you mosey over to the Goodkind threads, you'll have all the more fun.

Or, if that proves too hard, simply check out here.

ETA:

And if you think it's bad now, just wait until the "we must ban fire!" speech.

[shivers at the memory]

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The book is popular because Tor launched a $250,000 PR campaign upon publication of the first book. The book is popular because it t is "easy" to read like a Left Behind or Chicken Soup for the Soul book: aka a "walmart special". It has gratuitous sex and violence to give 13 year olds hard-ons and palpitating heart beats. And, IMO, the covers by the artist that eventually took over are actually pretty good -- and they are the only good to Goodkind's garbage. The prose is horrendous, the ideas flat and oft-times flatout plagerized, the characters cardboard cutouts of wish fullfillment, the "philosophy" for those that haven't ever cracked an actual philosophical writer: it tends to appeal to the most bestial, selfish aspect of our evolutionary progress, a paradigm of me-first justification for arrogant nerds.

In other words, it is total shite written for the LCD. Read it just as a comparison for how low the genre can be, and as a guide for everything to avoid in the quest to write quality fiction.

And if you think it's bad now, just wait until the "we must ban fire!" speech.

Man. You just don't get Goodkind, do you? ;)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Man. You just don't get Goodkind, do you? ;)

I've spent the rest of the day reading up quotes from Goodkind and reviews and wikipedia entries (I want to be in on the jokes, but I don't want to waste time actually reading it, yes, I am a douche, I realize it) and from what I can ascertain, it appears as if Richard Rahl and his demented Bene Gesserit wife are actually insane, and this series describes their descent into madness as they bloodily conquer the known world, killing those who choose not to believe in his twisted philosophies on life, and making slaves out of those who do. Their enemies number among the noble Imperial Order, that provides for the less fortunate members of society, and the pacifistic theocracy that seeks only enlightenment. Eventually they become so paranoid that they imagine that a chicken is trying to kill them. All the while, they believe they are doing good, and their cause is noble.

...That actually sounds like a good concept... Though I doubt it's what the author was striving for.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

We simply must have a pair of two-by-fours and a trio of nails for your kind. ;)

Ouch! All for the crime of being perfectly willing to entertain myself for a few hours by reading a book? Well, fine. As long as they aren't rusty nails. That would just be the last straw.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Was I close in my hypothesis? Did I get it? =)

Well, yes, your hypothesis that the series continues in much the same vein is correct. Your hypothesis that it's completely unreadable is a bit more subjective, but I'd say most everyone here would say yes.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Well, yes, your hypothesis that the series continues in much the same vein is correct.

Hurray, I knew it. There were a few dead tip-offs. The killer chicken was the biggest one. But there was also how they converted an entire enemy city to their cause by carving a "Statue of Life". I imagine that while they saw it as a man and woman being happy and alive, it was actually a maddening statue of some Cthulhian elder god, which caused the crowd to break down into insane laughter as their minds became filled with visions from Rlyeh.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hurray, I knew it. There were a few dead tip-offs. The killer chicken was the biggest one. But there was also how they converted an entire enemy city to their cause by carving a "Statue of Life". I imagine that while they saw it as a man and woman being happy and alive, it was actually a maddening statue of some Cthulhian elder god, which caused the crowd to break down into insane laughter as their minds became filled with visions from Rlyeh.

The evil chicken thing has been ridiculously blown up on these forums. Of course it sounds idiotic to talk about an "evil chicken" and such, but the whole point was that the chime (which isn't inherently evil so much as inherently chaotic) was possessing the chicken, which did seem so ridiculous that no one believed Richard.

The statue...well yeah, that one's a stretch. I guess it's TG's world, and he can make his huddled masses behave how they wish. I can see it somewhat.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

×
×
  • Create New...