Week 2: Book Two and Book 3

[Idlewilder]

This is what I don't get. As writers, we're told we've got to have hooked the reader in the first chapter. But I've got to wait till book 3? What happened there?

This puzzles me too.  I'm not a writer, but it felt to me like GotM was still at least one round of revisions away from being ready to meet its audience.  Is there a story behind how the book came to be published?

(Context:  I read the book a few years ago; I'm not reading along with the Book Club.  Overall I was sort of impressed by it - but I also felt there was a lot wrong with it.  It's unlikely I'll ever read the other books in the series.)

There is actually quite a lengthy story on how it came to be published, but it's not easy to find online. If you go on Amazon and look inside the book you can read it there.

[simonster]

There is actually quite a lengthy story on how it came to be published, but it's not easy to find online. If you go on Amazon and look inside the book you can read it there.

Ah, thanks!  There wasn't a preface in the edition I read.

That does go some way to explaining how the author sees the book.  Short version: too bad if you don't like the book, it has to be the way it is because of its ambitions.  (Not sure I buy that personally, and it sounds like a lot of potential publishers felt the same way.)

[DBASKLS]

So I finally got to the end of book three. It’s taken me ages. Although the writing is fine I’m finding it a real slog. For me there is too much flitting between characters – I can’t keep up with them all. As I have now reached this point I’m going to take a break. I hope to come back to it fairly soon but I can’t bring myself to read anymore just now. I need to read something lighter!

[eclipse]

I’m finding it a real slog. For me there is too much flitting between characters

I quite like the flitting between characters I seem to like books that do this like  the Red Knight ,Sorry you finding it a Slog

[Geekory]

It wasn't till book 3 that I really started to get into the story and confident that I understand 80% of what's going on. Now I can't put it down.

This is what I don't get. As writers, we're told we've got to have hooked the reader in the first chapter. But I've got to wait till book 3? What happened there?

I completely agree. I had a writing group meetup a few days ago and we shared what we were currently reading. I could not recommend anyone this book cause I know they would drop it after the first few chapters.

[Arry]

I’m finding it a real slog. For me there is too much flitting between characters

I quite like the flitting between characters I seem to like books that do this like  the Red Knight ,Sorry you finding it a Slog

Ha! Yes, this book is a breeze compared to The Red Knight (which I also really enjoyed )

I quite often like different characters/story lines that don't immediately seem connected. You know they will be, part of the fun is discovering how/why/when they are or will be connected. But I know not everyone likes it.

[Arry]

This is what I don't get. As writers, we're told we've got to have hooked the reader in the first chapter. But I've got to wait till book 3? What happened there?

I completely agree. I had a writing group meetup a few days ago and we shared what we were currently reading. I could not recommend anyone this book cause I know they would drop it after the first few chapters.

I think it just really helps to point out that different readers look for different things in their books. I actually quite enjoyed this one from the beginning, so there is something there for people, it just doesn't work for everyone. I mean, from the very get go, we have war, assassins, thieves, magic, betrayal .... and a very epic scale. For me, not knowing how they are all connected makes it intriguing and mysterious, a puzzle to put together. But for others, it comes across as disjoint, random and frustrating. I don't think either is right or wrong, it just shows that different readers latch onto different things and vary in their expectations.

[xiagan]

Wow, it really got rolling. Especially in book three a lot happens and there are so many things to speculate about, I can't remember all of them.

I can see why people drop out and I'm slower with this than I usually am, but I find it quite rewarding, so I continue. Eriksson's extensive world building allows what I loved most about WoT: speculating and theory building.
I guess reading this book a second time will make you notice so much you oversaw (or couldn't comprehend) the first time...

Oh, and I liked the Darujhistan part a lot. It wasn't as dark as the rest and somehow easier (means faster) too read. Great characters here. Well, most of Eriksson's are.

And I find it refreshing how active and meddling the gods are. I just have the feeling that believing in them/worshiping them won't help you at all...

Interesting how Crokus is in the middle of all these key players.

And Paran will join him. They're both connected to the coin.

Also curious what has truly happened to Tattersail, how she will reemerge.

Exactly, all this talking about Elderling sorcery and the first warren... Really curious! And if she will be Tattersail, or a mixture of the three mages or something completely else...

Also when Paran was talking to Toc about Tattersail's death

Only she didn’t die easily, she never took the easy path in anything.

I couldn't help but think how quickly he can judge how Tattersail would always/normally act do they really know each other that well? have they had the time or chance?

Yep, wondered that myself. And I found the scene where he bedded Tattersail a bit strange and coming out of nowhere.

The introduction of, "Tool," and his tales were what really interested me. Now what I didn't get here is how nonchalantly the introduction of a member of an ancient and powerful race was introduced here. In the description he is a huge lumbering sort of skeleton lord. He is full of wisdom and his power is clearly great, yet he just seems to show up and act as escort for Lorn. It all seemed a little out of the blue for me.

Yes, he's great. I like how he has a sense of humor and doesn't seem to take himself seriously. That's a trait we see much to seldom in 300,000 year old skeleton lords/mages (something like a Lich, but not evil?).

Who do you think the Eel is?  Kruppe too obvious to be the Eel maybe Coil not seen much of him and being drunk would be a good disguise  could be anyone

I think Coil is Lady Simtal's cast off husband. No idea who the Eel is or if we have met him/her already...

[Idlewilder]

I guess reading this book a second time will make you notice so much you oversaw (or couldn't comprehend) the first time...

It definitely does. All the stuff about Warrens and the Elder Races in particular is just clicking far more with me this time through. Likewise with all the poems, snippets and prophecies.

[Jeni]

Don't really have anything extra to add, my thoughts seem to echo everyone else's at this point.... the 'what happened to Tattersail' mystery is intriguing though - the magic used was from all three of the mage's warrens plus the original Elder warren and a bunch of others too and Tool said 'something has .. been born..a new presence' - so just how powerful is whatever this is and will it continue Tattersails mission, or is it too new to be able to function effectively and will it be something that will play a part much later on?
Fluffin loving this. 

[Timstar]

By this point I was understanding the events but not the meaning or context, I'm guessing that will continue for a while?

[Arry]

By this point I was understanding the events but not the meaning or context, I'm guessing that will continue for a while?

Yep. I think that is pretty much the expected experience for Malazan. It does come together more by the end of the book, and to an even greater scale in subsequent books from my understanding (I bought the second as soon as we finished this read, but have not yet managed to get to it. One of these days I WILL read on!)

[xiagan]

By this point I was understanding the events but not the meaning or context, I'm guessing that will continue for a while?

Yep. I think that is pretty much the expected experience for Malazan. It does come together more by the end of the book, and to an even greater scale in subsequent books from my understanding (I bought the second as soon as we finished this read, but have not yet managed to get to it. One of these days I WILL read on!)

Yep, Arry is totally right. And the series is totally worth the confusion you get sometimes in the early books.

[Timstar]

Glad to hear it, I will persevere

[Idlewilder]

By this point I was understanding the events but not the meaning or context, I'm guessing that will continue for a while?

Agreed with Xiagan and Arry. It's always pretty murky (Gardens of the Moon is still probably the most difficult as you need to get into that mindset I think) but most importantly he makes it worth your while, 'cos when the fog finally clears and you get some answers it's so worth it.