I tried to re-read Pawn of Prophecy as an adult, and I thought it [redacted redacted redacted]...
I had this same experience rereading the Dragonlance Chronicles as an adult. I got about three chapters into the first book, realized just how much my tastes have matured since my teen years, and got off the nostalgia train.
I never considered rereading other D&D novels -- I knew those were bad, even as a kid!
So...David Eddings. I remember as a wee lad reading The Belgariad and loving it. I can't recall if I ever went on to The Mallorean but I do remember reading a couple of the Sparhawk books and being really intrigued about the new "philosophical" things he was trying out.
I can't remember for the life of me what they were, though, and I remember thinking that they were pretty much the exact same as The Belgariad.
I tried to re-read Pawn of Prophecy as an adult, and I thought it [redacted redacted redacted], so, since I'm not ever going to read another book by David Eddings, what were those newfangled "philosophical" ideas he was trying out?
Eddings saw history as a cycle of people repeating the same events and mistakes over and over again, and he used that idea as a major plot point in his books.
That, and his deliberate usage of every possible cliche, is why his major series and books (The Begariad, Mallorian, Elenium, Tamuli, and The Redemtion of Althalus) all have the same basic plot and characters. It's a tribute to his skills as a writer that all of these doorstoppers are as readable, even read in one chunk, as they are.
Eddings saw history as a cycle of people repeating the same events and mistakes over and over again, and he used that idea as a major plot point in his books.
That, and his deliberate usage of every possible cliche, is why his major series and books (The Begariad, Mallorian, Elenium, Tamuli, and The Redemtion of Althalus) all have the same basic plot and characters. It's a tribute to his skills as a writer that all of these doorstoppers are as readable, even read in one chunk, as they are.
Okay, that explains a lot. I remember picking up the Mallorean at age 13 a week or so after reading the Belgariad and thinking "Hang on, didn't I just read this story?"
Honestly, the only Eddings book I've read in recent time is The Redemption of Althalaus. I tried re-reading the Belgariad after that, couldn't get into it.
A related issue to "all the people of this race are evil and bad" is "all the people of this race are good". Quick, name five black villains in major Hollywood movies, made 1980 or later. I like that Paizo from the start included Varisian villains.
I disagree on the species distinction, though. It doesn't matter one whit if you're talking about a certain race, or a certain species.
A related issue to "all the people of this race are evil and bad" is "all the people of this race are good". Quick, name five black villains in major Hollywood movies, made 1980 or later.
This is admittedly turning out to be harder than I thought, but here's what I managed to scrounge together (thanks to Wikipedia) over about a half hour:
Mr. Glass from Unbreakable.
The Daredevil movie's version of The Kingpin.
Dr. Facilier from The Princess and the Frog (unless animated works don't count?)
Alonzo Harris from Training Day
I think this is also showing how limited my movie watching experience is, though.
|
A related issue to "all the people of this race are evil and bad" is "all the people of this race are good". Quick, name five black villains in major Hollywood movies, made 1980 or later. I like that Paizo from the start included Varisian villains.
I disagree on the species distinction, though. It doesn't matter one whit if you're talking about a certain race, or a certain species.
What's your definition of "major Hollywood movies?"
Put it this way. You tell me what definition you need to find enough black villains.
My movie watching experience is limited also, but what about Thulsa Doom from the 1982 "Conan the Barbarian" movie?
How about Richard Pryor's character in "Superman III"?
Related question, would Darth Vader count? ('Cause of the voice actor, not the armor!)
So...David Eddings. I remember as a wee lad reading The Belgariad and loving it. I can't recall if I ever went on to The Mallorean but I do remember reading a couple of the Sparhawk books and being really intrigued about the new "philosophical" things he was trying out.
I can't remember for the life of me what they were, though, and I remember thinking that they were pretty much the exact same as The Belgariad.
I tried to re-read Pawn of Prophecy as an adult, and I thought it [redacted redacted redacted], so, since I'm not ever going to read another book by David Eddings, what were those newfangled "philosophical" ideas he was trying out?
Eddings saw history as a cycle of people repeating the same events and mistakes over and over again, and he used that idea as a major plot point in his books.
That, and his deliberate usage of every possible cliche, is why his major series and books (The Begariad, Mallorian, Elenium, Tamuli, and The Redemtion of Althalus) all have the same basic plot and characters. It's a tribute to his skills as a writer that all of these doorstoppers are as readable, even read in one chunk, as they are.
That seems more like an excuse for lack of creativity than a valid reason to set up a series of novels...
Marcellus Wallace, Samuel Jackson in Unbreakable, Samuel Jackson in Django Unchained Denzel Washington in Training Day, Wesley Snipes in New Jack City.
Did it a minute, no internet searches.
Bow before my cineaste excellence.
Samuel Jackson is evil.
Hmm, IIRC, he was a businessman, and he wasn't particularly evil. Saffron Burrows was the "evil" scientist (and even she was more miguided than evil--making super smart sharks to cure Alzheimer's because her father was a victim or something.)
I really liked that movie.
|
Hmm, IIRC, he was a businessman, and he wasn't particularly evil. Saffron Burrows was the "evil" scientist (and even she was more miguided than evil--making super smart sharks to cure Alzheimer's because her father was a victim or something.)
I really liked that movie.
Yes, don't forget the badass preacher chef hero of the movie was black.
Yeah, I remember reading an article about his winning the Austin Stoker Memorial Award that year for.
Oh yeah, thank you for the answer, Son of the Veterinarian.
A related issue to "all the people of this race are evil and bad" is "all the people of this race are good". Quick, name five black villains in major Hollywood movies, made 1980 or later. I like that Paizo from the start included Varisian villains.
I disagree on the species distinction, though. It doesn't matter one whit if you're talking about a certain race, or a certain species.
You say that, but I KNOW all brown recluse spiders are evil.
That seems more like an excuse for lack of creativity than a valid reason to set up a series of novels...So...David Eddings. I remember as a wee lad reading The Belgariad and loving it. I can't recall if I ever went on to The Mallorean but I do remember reading a couple of the Sparhawk books and being really intrigued about the new "philosophical" things he was trying out.
I can't remember for the life of me what they were, though, and I remember thinking that they were pretty much the exact same as The Belgariad.
I tried to re-read Pawn of Prophecy as an adult, and I thought it [redacted redacted redacted], so, since I'm not ever going to read another book by David Eddings, what were those newfangled "philosophical" ideas he was trying out?
Eddings saw history as a cycle of people repeating the same events and mistakes over and over again, and he used that idea as a major plot point in his books.
That, and his deliberate usage of every possible cliche, is why his major series and books (The Begariad, Mallorian, Elenium, Tamuli, and The Redemtion of Althalus) all have the same basic plot and characters. It's a tribute to his skills as a writer that all of these doorstoppers are as readable, even read in one chunk, as they are.
Yeah, sounds exactly like the sort of "story justification" we came up with at a lot of game companies I worked at to explain things we had to do because of budget.
It's a tribute to his skills as a writer that all of these doorstoppers are as readable, even read in one chunk, as they are.
Gonna have to disagree there. I found them readable when I devoured them all in third grade. As an adult, I don't find them readable at all.
It's a tribute to his skills as a writer that all of these doorstoppers are as readable, even read in one chunk, as they are.Gonna have to disagree there. I found them readable when I devoured them all in third grade. As an adult, I don't find them readable at all.
+1. As a kid, I found them wonderful, and my parents loved them because they kept me busy. As an adult, I find them illogical and annoying.
+1. As a kid, I found them wonderful, and my parents loved them because they kept me busy. As an adult, I find them illogical and annoying.It's a tribute to his skills as a writer that all of these doorstoppers are as readable, even read in one chunk, as they are.Gonna have to disagree there. I found them readable when I devoured them all in third grade. As an adult, I don't find them readable at all.
I'll grant you that the Begariad gets off to a slow start (even I, when re-reading the series, usually skip Pawn of Prophecy, and sometimes even Queen of Sorcery), but once Eddings starts letting the snark flow and sticking lampshades on everything I find his books hard to put down.
The Elenium and Tamuli especially have so much snark flying around and lampshades hanging off every chapter that they're almost comedies.
How much did Leigh Eddings coauthor of the books. I found I couldn't get into the second series and the Sparhawk books didn't do much for me.
How much did Leigh Eddings coauthor of the books. I found I couldn't get into the second series and the Sparhawk books didn't do much for me.
From what I'd heard, Leigh Eddings did pretty much 0% of the writing, it was apparently to make sure that she had a steady source of income in case of his death. That said, that's just what I was told, I never cared enough to actually do any real research into it.
Actually, she contributed to all of them after High Hunt, but Eddings' publisher claimed co-authorships were a problem and it would be better if only one name appeared on the books.
I disagree on the species distinction, though. It doesn't matter one whit if you're talking about a certain race, or a certain species.
We know that "all humans of race x are evil" is nonsense, due to experience. We have no knowledge of any race of nonhuman sentients, so we can't really know whether or not there can be an inherently evil species.
Sapient species that lacks empathy on a neurological level could possibly exist. It could hamper their intelligence though as it is related to ability to learn.
Actually, she contributed to all of them after High Hunt, but Eddings' publisher claimed co-authorships were a problem and it would be better if only one name appeared on the books.
Fair enough. I doubt I'll ever be reading anything else they wrote anyway, the abortive attempt at going back to The Belgariad killed any desire to do that. Similar reaction to what I had with David Gemmell when I tried to read some of his stuff again recently.
Actually, she contributed to all of them after High Hunt, but Eddings' publisher claimed co-authorships were a problem and it would be better if only one name appeared on the books.Fair enough. I doubt I'll ever be reading anything else they wrote anyway, the abortive attempt at going back to The Belgariad killed any desire to do that.
Eh, give the Elenium a try, if for no other reason than to see a well done party of non-lawful stupid paladins.