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ricardienneI've just read John M. Ford's The Dragon Waiting twice. I just can't figure it out. My first go through, I was wondering if it wasn't just a terribly written novel, where nothing seemed to follow and every scene ended on a vague, inconclusive note. Then I wondered if it was simply a very deep novel, the intricacies of which I was missing entirely. But I don't think so. Anyone who has them eating corn in Wales before the "discovery" of America isn't writing a very deep novel.
But it was character driven, I thought, which is sort of rare for a fantasy novel. These were real, flawed people, searching for meanings and rightness in their lives. They were highly fallible -- Richard wrongfully keeps mistrusting Anthony Woodville, for example; Cynthia is practically paralyzed with guilt and confusion. But it was all very unclear. I think perhaps Ford was trying for depth, but couldn't quite pull it off.
Been messing around on Wikipedia, looking up Star Wars stuff. Is it just me, or does this entire "Expanded Universe" business seem like nothing more than MarySue Central. I swear, the plots and characters sound like bad fanfiction.
But it was character driven, I thought, which is sort of rare for a fantasy novel. These were real, flawed people, searching for meanings and rightness in their lives. They were highly fallible -- Richard wrongfully keeps mistrusting Anthony Woodville, for example; Cynthia is practically paralyzed with guilt and confusion. But it was all very unclear. I think perhaps Ford was trying for depth, but couldn't quite pull it off.
Been messing around on Wikipedia, looking up Star Wars stuff. Is it just me, or does this entire "Expanded Universe" business seem like nothing more than MarySue Central. I swear, the plots and characters sound like bad fanfiction.
