“Ila was giving me advice on being a woman.”
“Advice! Nobody tells us how to be men. We just are.”
“That is probably why you make such a bad job of it.”
- Egwene and Perrin
Author: Robert Jordan (1948-2007)
Pages: 814
Publishing year: 1990 by Tor Books
Recommend: ♠♠♠♠ of five
First, some background, for the few of you who do not know about this series. The Eye of the World is the first book in The Wheel of Time, arguably one of the epic-est of Epic Fantasy, at least of modern times. The series is known for having way too many characters, being weighed down with long delays, interwoven plots are so interwoven as to be much more convultued than intriguing, and the death of the author, Robert Jordan, before the series was finished (it is now finished by stand-in author Brandon Sanderson).
But at the beginning was The Eye of the World, which is actually a rather good book and an excellent beginning to the series. Yes, the plot is somewhat standard and cliché (though how many fantasy series aren’t, if you really sit down and think about it?!). Yes, Robert Jordan is very verbose in his writing. Yes, there is many characters and a whole heck of a lot of different plot threads. But it is all handled very well and it’s a good adventure. It’s rare that the reader is confused as to what’s going on, and personally, it’s all rather exciting.
It’s just a good read. Reading it, I understand clearly why so many got hooked on this series in the first place. So give it a try, I think you’ll like it. And if you had given up on the Wheel of Time years ago, I think you should go back to Book #1 and give it a try again. I think you’ll also be reminded why you liked it in the first place. And with the final book actually coming out, you can reread the series! By the time you’re done rereading everything, the last book should just about be available, and you can actually get some closure.
And if you are reading the series or are going to to, could you please tell me how the hell I’m supposed to pronounce the name “Nynaeve”.
I enjoyed this first book too, it wasn’t my normal style but got me reading more fantasy writers. I’ve only read the first of the Sanderson books but I thought it was a very good continuation.
Oh, and my version of book 1 has a glossary – you say it NIGH-neev, apparently! I don’t, but then I read the glossary after reading the book!
I’m glad you enjoyed it too.
NIGH-neev? I’m suprised!
I haven’t read any of the Sanderson books yet, but I trust you when you say the first one is good. Can’t wait! (But first I have to read the other 13 books…)
Thank you for solving my mystery