Is WoT a long winded copy of LOTR? - Science Fiction Fantasy Chronicles: forums

Snagas Tender Blades · 1st February 2006, 06:25 PM

I don't know about you but when reading it I found alot more similarities to Tolkein than normal in a fantasy book.

Please explain your views on this, I have not read much of the series and I am wondering if it is worth reading more...

Shoegaze99 · 1st February 2006, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snagas Tender Blades

I have not read much of the series

That would be why you think as you do. Jordan was very open in saying that he wanted the first book to remind one of The Lord of the Rings, in tone and style and substance. It was his goal. He wanted fantasy readers to feel a certain sense of comfort and familiarity heading into the saga. Going forward that all changes and the series becomes its own thing. A very good thing for a while. A very bad thing after that. But very much its own thing, quite removed from The Lord of the Rings.

So to answer the question in the thread subject: No.

Green · 1st February 2006, 07:03 PM

The similarities to LotR in the first book nearly made me stop reading. He does move away from those similarities in later books, though.

Two Rivers = Shire
Mat and Perrin = Merry and Pippin
Lan = Aragorn
Moiraine = Gandalf
Trollocs = Lazy combination of trolls and orcs
Myyrdrahl = Nazgul
Dark Lord = Dark Lord

And that's without the similar plot structures and ideas.

ladyflorange · 2nd February 2006, 08:11 PM

Yeah I've just started reading, and I really saw the similarities, but I guess Jordan achieved his goal with me, because I found it really sort of comforting, and am definately going to keep reading, at least for a while

Jason_Taverner · 2nd February 2006, 09:00 PM

it does move away from the lord of the rings in the later books I love it there's been moments its cheesed me off but I always come back I've nearly read the 1st 10 twice but I taking a break in book 9 I would recommend it to all but you are in for the long haul

Rahl Windsong · 3rd February 2006, 02:27 AM

Ummn yeah but I like LoTR and I also like WoT. I don't really care if they can be compared I have enjoyed both stories. For me thats all that matters and I really don't try to make comparisons that in my mind make no difference to the enjoyment of the story.

And by the way I would rather go on a date with Moiraine then Gandalf and I have no real idea why I said that. Only that in my mind she is beautiful and Gandalf is just some old man who smokes pot and needs a staff to walk!

Rahl

Brys · 3rd February 2006, 04:57 PM

The first book is very similar, but he does start to move away from Tolkien in the later books.
(Wait - I'm defending Jordan? What's happening?)
But it never becomes very original, and a lot is stolen from Frank Herbert's Dune later on, and when he finally stops being derivative, the writing becomes pretty awful and the pace slows to a crawl.

If you didn't enjoy the Eye of the World much, I'd suggest to stop reading, because it doesn't improve much more than that, and it definitely gets a lot worse - not because of similarities to Tolkien, but because of some truly terrible writing by book 10. The pace is about as fast as it gets in the Eye of the World, even if it isn't quite the best in the series. If you mildly enjoyed it, read the Great Hunt, and then decide.

Rosemary · 3rd February 2006, 05:05 PM

I have enjoyed reading both series, despite the length of time waiting for the next volume of WOT.

As far as I can recall, I have never compared LOTR with WOT. To me they are completely different fantasy stories, both enjoyable in their own way.

Shoegaze99 · 3rd February 2006, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rosemary

As far as I can recall, I have never compared LOTR with WOT. To me they are completely different fantasy stories, both enjoyable in their own way.

The only books I can think of that were more overtly "paint by numbers Lord of the Rings" than Eye Of The World are Terry Brook's The Sword of Shanarra and Dennis McKan'tspellhislastname's The Iron Tower trilogy.

After that first WOT book, of course, you're right, it becomes something completely different that LOTR.

Rosemary · 3rd February 2006, 05:59 PM

I'm not even certain that Sword of Shanarra was like LOTR.

One thing I have considered is that this discussions will perhaps lead to comparing each book I read, when previously I didn't. I am not going to do start doing that, for I feel that it might take the enjoyment out of the story.

Shoegaze99 · 3rd February 2006, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rosemary

I'm not even certain that Sword of Shanarra was like LOTR.

I ... I... I'm ...

...

Hey, cool. Happy reading!

Rahl Windsong · 5th February 2006, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rosemary

I'm not even certain that Sword of Shanarra was like LOTR.

One thing I have considered is that this discussions will perhaps lead to comparing each book I read, when previously I didn't. I am not going to do start doing that, for I feel that it might take the enjoyment out of the story.

That was the only book that I ever tried to read by this author and I could not finish the book. Comparions to LoTR aside I thought the story was poor the writing I think pretty much anyone could do as good and I have a very hard time to see how Terry Brooks ever managed to be published. Maybe he paid the publisher enough? As you can probably tell I didn't like it and I won't be looking for anything else by this author...ever.

Rahl

GOLLUM · 5th February 2006, 10:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rahl Windsong

That was the only book that I ever tried to read by this author and I could not finish the book. Comparions to LoTR aside I thought the story was poor the writing I think pretty much anyone could do as good and I have a very hard time to see how Terry Brooks ever managed to be published. Maybe he paid the publisher enough? As you can probably tell I didn't like it and I won't be looking for anything else by this author...ever.

Rahl

Actually I don't mind Terry Brooks. YES he's pretty generic and there's nothing that original in his writing but for some reason I enjoy reading his stuff, maybe as a break from the heavier work I normally focus on.

I also read Sword Of Shannara in the early 80s when I hadn't yet started on my major fantasy reading spree and have followed Brooks since then so maybe it's a loyalty thing, not sure?

Rahl Windsong · 5th February 2006, 11:28 PM

Aye well if I need light reading I would rather David Gemmell but hey I can see if it was like the first fantasy author you ever read how you would be loyal and really after reading my post I hate it when I get so critical like that. I must have been just sipping my first coffee when I wrote that.

Sorry Mr. Brooks!

davidnw23 · 6th February 2006, 06:01 PM

Hi! LOTR does have a lot of influence in fantasy today, however, WOT is not one of the worst copycats. As mentioned it actually is more influenced by Dune. If you want something less Tolkienesque I recommend Iron Dragons Daughter. It is quite different and has a great twist to it. David

1st February 2006, 06:25 PM	#1 (permalink)
Snagas Tender Blades The Sender Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 113	Is WoT a long winded copy of LOTR? I don't know about you but when reading it I found alot more similarities to Tolkein than normal in a fantasy book. Please explain your views on this, I have not read much of the series and I am wondering if it is worth reading more...

1st February 2006, 07:03 PM	#3 (permalink)
Green Sick and Tired Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Greater Manchester Posts: 807	Re: Is WoT a long winded copy of LOTR? The similarities to LotR in the first book nearly made me stop reading. He does move away from those similarities in later books, though. Two Rivers = Shire Mat and Perrin = Merry and Pippin Lan = Aragorn Moiraine = Gandalf Trollocs = Lazy combination of trolls and orcs Myyrdrahl = Nazgul Dark Lord = Dark Lord And that's without the similar plot structures and ideas.

2nd February 2006, 08:11 PM	#4 (permalink)
ladyflorange Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Surrey Posts: 147	Re: Is WoT a long winded copy of LOTR? Yeah I've just started reading, and I really saw the similarities, but I guess Jordan achieved his goal with me, because I found it really sort of comforting, and am definately going to keep reading, at least for a while

2nd February 2006, 09:00 PM	#5 (permalink)
Jason_Taverner Fish Proder Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: UK: ENGLAND: Posts: 649	Re: Is WoT a long winded copy of LOTR? it does move away from the lord of the rings in the later books I love it there's been moments its cheesed me off but I always come back I've nearly read the 1st 10 twice but I taking a break in book 9 I would recommend it to all but you are in for the long haul

3rd February 2006, 02:27 AM	#6 (permalink)
Rahl Windsong Last of the Windsong Clan Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Canada Posts: 508	Re: Is WoT a long winded copy of LOTR? Ummn yeah but I like LoTR and I also like WoT. I don't really care if they can be compared I have enjoyed both stories. For me thats all that matters and I really don't try to make comparisons that in my mind make no difference to the enjoyment of the story. And by the way I would rather go on a date with Moiraine then Gandalf and I have no real idea why I said that. Only that in my mind she is beautiful and Gandalf is just some old man who smokes pot and needs a staff to walk! Rahl

3rd February 2006, 04:57 PM	#7 (permalink)
Brys Moderator Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 809	Re: Is WoT a long winded copy of LOTR? The first book is very similar, but he does start to move away from Tolkien in the later books. (Wait - I'm defending Jordan? What's happening?) But it never becomes very original, and a lot is stolen from Frank Herbert's Dune later on, and when he finally stops being derivative, the writing becomes pretty awful and the pace slows to a crawl. If you didn't enjoy the Eye of the World much, I'd suggest to stop reading, because it doesn't improve much more than that, and it definitely gets a lot worse - not because of similarities to Tolkien, but because of some truly terrible writing by book 10. The pace is about as fast as it gets in the Eye of the World, even if it isn't quite the best in the series. If you mildly enjoyed it, read the Great Hunt, and then decide.

3rd February 2006, 05:05 PM	#8 (permalink)
Rosemary The Wicked Sword Maiden Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Australia, Western Australia Posts: 2,945	Re: Is WoT a long winded copy of LOTR? I have enjoyed reading both series, despite the length of time waiting for the next volume of WOT. As far as I can recall, I have never compared LOTR with WOT. To me they are completely different fantasy stories, both enjoyable in their own way.

3rd February 2006, 05:59 PM	#10 (permalink)
Rosemary The Wicked Sword Maiden Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Australia, Western Australia Posts: 2,945	Re: Is WoT a long winded copy of LOTR? I'm not even certain that Sword of Shanarra was like LOTR. One thing I have considered is that this discussions will perhaps lead to comparing each book I read, when previously I didn't. I am not going to do start doing that, for I feel that it might take the enjoyment out of the story.

5th February 2006, 11:28 PM	#14 (permalink)
Rahl Windsong Last of the Windsong Clan Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Canada Posts: 508	Re: Is WoT a long winded copy of LOTR? Aye well if I need light reading I would rather David Gemmell but hey I can see if it was like the first fantasy author you ever read how you would be loyal and really after reading my post I hate it when I get so critical like that. I must have been just sipping my first coffee when I wrote that. Sorry Mr. Brooks!

6th February 2006, 06:01 PM	#15 (permalink)
davidnw23 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 7	Re: Is WoT a long winded copy of LOTR? Hi! LOTR does have a lot of influence in fantasy today, however, WOT is not one of the worst copycats. As mentioned it actually is more influenced by Dune. If you want something less Tolkienesque I recommend Iron Dragons Daughter. It is quite different and has a great twist to it. David

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