nagarue
12-10-2011, 09:21 PM
Greetings to fellow WoT fans. I figured this time around I would introduce myself first.
I have been with WoT series since TGH, in those days it was my practice to visit the book store at least twice a month and I always had an eye out for something new and promising. On that particular day (April 8, 1991 I know because I had recently begun a new practice of writing down the date of each book I purchased, a thing I still do today), I found A large size paperback of TGH near the hardcover new releases. There was something about the title that seemed to promise what I was looking for a heroic epic fantasy of good vs evil. It was of course volume two of a series and so I didn't purchase that particular book that day, I did however make my way to the paperback section and pick up a copy of the first book in the series as well as Berserkers Planet and Brokenclaw.
I would return to that same book store a week later on April 8, 1991. This was earlier then usual but not as you might be thinking to pick up TGH, it was the day of a new release I had been eagerly awaiting The Seeress of Kell. David Eddings newest book in the Maloreen series, but since I was there I did also pick up TGH it was not a sure thing that I would do so.
I had begun reading TEotW almost at once but my feelings where mixed and I was unaware that I was in the hands of a master story teller and that this story would come to ruin me for much of the reading fodder I had been happily consuming previously.
As I read TEotW I couldn't decide if I liked the story or not, it was interesting and a page turner but I had a hang up that revolved around the inter actions of Moraine and the Emond's Field boy's. She was a bully and they followed her like sheep. I greatly cheered Nynaeve when she came on the scene finally someone was standing up to Moraine, but then she to was browbeaten into submission and it was nearly the end of the story for me but I still had some small hope that Nynaeve at least would stand up to Moraine at some point and continued to read and so reached the end unsatisfied with mixed feelings.
You see the story for me had become the battle for some simple dignity on behalf of the Emond Fielders. The battle for good and evil was between the bullying Moraine and the three boys, I loved Nynaeve for standing up to her on their behalf and very much wanted her to come out the victor.
As I moved on to TGH this was still in a way a primary moving point of the story for me. My hope that Moraine would be brought down in some way was rekindled there where signs indicating that she Moraine might even be of the Black Ajah, I very much wanted this to be true. Also the fact that Rand and company were off the leash made this tale more tolerable. In the end though perhaps they where not that far off the leash, it was after all just a manipulation of Moraine's to send them after the horn. I still was not sold by this tale but I had more hope enough to buy the next volume in hard cover when it came out TDR.
TDR is the book that finally got more then a hook in me, I had by this time given up hope that Moraine was Black Ajah but was convinced she had been to the dark friend gathering in TGH, (I still think this is likely, it explains much about certain early events). Rand defied Moraine and ran off on his own at last he is standing up to her and Perin also, but in the end Moraine still seems to have the upper hand and Mat begins to come into his own. I knew after this one I was hooked on this series and I see now how I was lead by dangling carrots that deliver a completely unexpected reward in TFoH of all WoT book's I have never considered it one of my favorite but there came an understanding that would completely reverse how I felt about Moraine.
TFoH turns The Rand and Moraine relationship on its head, Rand is completely standing up for himself and I confess I was greatly enjoying this turn but then something happens that was unexpected. Moraine surrenders, in that moment as Rand begins to feel protective of her I as the reader turned also. I had a sudden epiphany, it was my second read through of TFoH so I had the advantage of knowing how things turned out, I suddenly understood Moraine.
I had been angry with Moraine, how could she threaten, manipulate, and brow beat so coldly. She forced others to sacrifice offering them little choice or consideration.
Only when Moraine surrenders and offers to serve Rand was I able to see her in a new light. She hadn't just asked and demanded others to sacrifice, she herself was sacrificing everything to save the world. This changed everything, I understood her now, it was never for herself and always for her cause to save the world, she was selfless, and I loved her for it, even though I still don't agree with all of her early methods.
When all this became clear to me this series moved to a new level in my collection, there are few books in my collection I have read more then once, I have reread WoT several times and don't think I will ever tire of it.
I love all of the characters and all of the little nit picking things I have seen people moan about. My greatest disapointment has only ever been that upon finishing one book in the series I would have to wait for the next.
This has gone on longer then I intended, I meant only to say I have been around awhile but have seldom posted and do not visit here frequently its hard to find the time so I am true youngling in that regard. I have returned because I intend to revisit my Rahvin theory one last time before the final book and because as we near the release date of the final book the hunger grows once again. I have developed a new possible twist and connection to the theory but will try to complete a reread starting from TFoH, (I believe all the facts are present from there on that are needed). I may post partial points on it leading up to the final completed theory.
As a short recap I believe Rahvin is alive, that he had a hand in Asmodeans murder, and that he is Mazrim Taim.
"Graendal's face contorted, and Rahvin prepared to shield himself against whatever the two women might hurl at one another, prepared to Travel at even a whiff of balefire." Prologue TFoH.
"Rahvin reserved judgment. It might well work. And if not...If not, he saw several ways to shape events to his advantage. This might work out very well indeed." Prologue TFoH.
I have been with WoT series since TGH, in those days it was my practice to visit the book store at least twice a month and I always had an eye out for something new and promising. On that particular day (April 8, 1991 I know because I had recently begun a new practice of writing down the date of each book I purchased, a thing I still do today), I found A large size paperback of TGH near the hardcover new releases. There was something about the title that seemed to promise what I was looking for a heroic epic fantasy of good vs evil. It was of course volume two of a series and so I didn't purchase that particular book that day, I did however make my way to the paperback section and pick up a copy of the first book in the series as well as Berserkers Planet and Brokenclaw.
I would return to that same book store a week later on April 8, 1991. This was earlier then usual but not as you might be thinking to pick up TGH, it was the day of a new release I had been eagerly awaiting The Seeress of Kell. David Eddings newest book in the Maloreen series, but since I was there I did also pick up TGH it was not a sure thing that I would do so.
I had begun reading TEotW almost at once but my feelings where mixed and I was unaware that I was in the hands of a master story teller and that this story would come to ruin me for much of the reading fodder I had been happily consuming previously.
As I read TEotW I couldn't decide if I liked the story or not, it was interesting and a page turner but I had a hang up that revolved around the inter actions of Moraine and the Emond's Field boy's. She was a bully and they followed her like sheep. I greatly cheered Nynaeve when she came on the scene finally someone was standing up to Moraine, but then she to was browbeaten into submission and it was nearly the end of the story for me but I still had some small hope that Nynaeve at least would stand up to Moraine at some point and continued to read and so reached the end unsatisfied with mixed feelings.
You see the story for me had become the battle for some simple dignity on behalf of the Emond Fielders. The battle for good and evil was between the bullying Moraine and the three boys, I loved Nynaeve for standing up to her on their behalf and very much wanted her to come out the victor.
As I moved on to TGH this was still in a way a primary moving point of the story for me. My hope that Moraine would be brought down in some way was rekindled there where signs indicating that she Moraine might even be of the Black Ajah, I very much wanted this to be true. Also the fact that Rand and company were off the leash made this tale more tolerable. In the end though perhaps they where not that far off the leash, it was after all just a manipulation of Moraine's to send them after the horn. I still was not sold by this tale but I had more hope enough to buy the next volume in hard cover when it came out TDR.
TDR is the book that finally got more then a hook in me, I had by this time given up hope that Moraine was Black Ajah but was convinced she had been to the dark friend gathering in TGH, (I still think this is likely, it explains much about certain early events). Rand defied Moraine and ran off on his own at last he is standing up to her and Perin also, but in the end Moraine still seems to have the upper hand and Mat begins to come into his own. I knew after this one I was hooked on this series and I see now how I was lead by dangling carrots that deliver a completely unexpected reward in TFoH of all WoT book's I have never considered it one of my favorite but there came an understanding that would completely reverse how I felt about Moraine.
TFoH turns The Rand and Moraine relationship on its head, Rand is completely standing up for himself and I confess I was greatly enjoying this turn but then something happens that was unexpected. Moraine surrenders, in that moment as Rand begins to feel protective of her I as the reader turned also. I had a sudden epiphany, it was my second read through of TFoH so I had the advantage of knowing how things turned out, I suddenly understood Moraine.
I had been angry with Moraine, how could she threaten, manipulate, and brow beat so coldly. She forced others to sacrifice offering them little choice or consideration.
Only when Moraine surrenders and offers to serve Rand was I able to see her in a new light. She hadn't just asked and demanded others to sacrifice, she herself was sacrificing everything to save the world. This changed everything, I understood her now, it was never for herself and always for her cause to save the world, she was selfless, and I loved her for it, even though I still don't agree with all of her early methods.
When all this became clear to me this series moved to a new level in my collection, there are few books in my collection I have read more then once, I have reread WoT several times and don't think I will ever tire of it.
I love all of the characters and all of the little nit picking things I have seen people moan about. My greatest disapointment has only ever been that upon finishing one book in the series I would have to wait for the next.
This has gone on longer then I intended, I meant only to say I have been around awhile but have seldom posted and do not visit here frequently its hard to find the time so I am true youngling in that regard. I have returned because I intend to revisit my Rahvin theory one last time before the final book and because as we near the release date of the final book the hunger grows once again. I have developed a new possible twist and connection to the theory but will try to complete a reread starting from TFoH, (I believe all the facts are present from there on that are needed). I may post partial points on it leading up to the final completed theory.
As a short recap I believe Rahvin is alive, that he had a hand in Asmodeans murder, and that he is Mazrim Taim.
"Graendal's face contorted, and Rahvin prepared to shield himself against whatever the two women might hurl at one another, prepared to Travel at even a whiff of balefire." Prologue TFoH.
"Rahvin reserved judgment. It might well work. And if not...If not, he saw several ways to shape events to his advantage. This might work out very well indeed." Prologue TFoH.