Terry Goodkind is (still) a Jackass

I can''t believe I''m actually going to respond to this, but... what the hell.

froggyboy wrote:
P.S Even if he is a Jackass that is no reason not to read his books.
If you people all decided not to read books by good authors because they are jerks then you could miss out on soem amazing books and authors of our time.

Actually, I do avoid reading authors who are downright disrespectful of their readers and/or potential readers. I''m sorry, but if you''re an author, and you''re going to tell me how ignorant I am, I''m going to show you how poor you''ll be without me and my fellow fans'' money.

It''s one thing to be arrogant. It''s another to be a completely disrespectful, overly-pompous, self-righteous and arrogant jackass.

Sorry, no go. I''m far more likely to read Jordan''s work (though I have yet to get interested enough to actually take the plunge) than Goodkind''s, as I have permanently struck Goodkind from my ""authors to read"" list.

I can quite agree with your reason for not wanting to read books which have been writen by arrogent authors. Although I must say I started the series without even knwoing who the author was, his work is good even if he isn''t the nicest man. I ask you this though If you had never read that interview and had by chance just picked it up would you have read it? It does have alot of good reviews...
I DO like RObert Jordans books although if you have read teh lastest one (Ihaven been able to get into it at all) you know how much of a disapointment it is. For he goes back before the climax of the last book. I hope you would give Terry goodkinds books a chance or at least read his first book. THe characters are very well rounded and the plot line is quite good, me and my friends have had quite a discussion on which series is better, personaly up untill now Robert Jordans books have been just as good as Goodkinds, even better in alot of cases, but I must say he is dragging it out and ALL his fans that I have talked to did not like his last book

Plz give goodkinds books a chance with the consideration that books are ment to be read and not to be judged by teh peopel who wrote them.

To Drunkagain thankyou for your thread I repect what you said and I from now on I will right.... Proper posts

Sure, had I not read the interview I''d probably give his books a chance.

But I did read the interview, so it''s too late for Mr. Goodkind.

You know, I just realized how ironic his last name is.

books are ment to be read and not to be judged by teh peopel who wrote them

I can understand that perspective, but personally I don''t agree with it.

See, the problem now is, knowing Goodkind''s attitude, I wouldn''t be able to read his writings without my feeling toward them being colored in a bad way.

I''m not going to comment on the merits or lack thereof of Goodkind''s writing. Please note that I have not disparaged his books in any manner through my comments here; since I haven''t read them, I can''t (and won''t) judge them. But I have found it impossible to separate my impression of an author''s writings from my impression of the author himself.

For example:

A very good friend of mine met Terry Brooks at a book signing. He was a very nice guy, and my friend was purchasing the new book (at the time, it was ""The Voyage of the Jerle Shannara"" book one) for my birthday. When Brooks signed it, he even added on a birthday message for me. Between his friendly demeanor and his thoughtfulness when signing the book, my impression of Brooks is a very positive one. As a result, now when I read his works, I have an even better feeling toward them because of how nice the author is.

Anyway, I''m rambling at this point. I''m glad you like Goodkind''s work so much, and I wouldn''t think to take that pleasure away from you. However, I have no desire to touch his work after the way he has insulted his fans and the fans of fantasy work. Sorry, but in that interview he was essentially insulting me, and I don''t take kindly to that.

"Kriegshund" wrote:

I can agree Eddiings'' stuff gets pretty repetetive. It''s fun to read though. Personally, I like characters who come out of the gate kicking ass. I hate spending half the book waiting for the main character to grow up/get his big magic widget. Especially if you already know he will, since the book revolves around it. It turns in to a crutch to many times. Just let them be good at stuff, and move on to something more challenging.

I totally agree.

This is one of the reasons I rate David Gemmell''s works so highly. The books have a tendancy to have a similar ''formula'', but the heroes are genuine ass-kickers and sometimes, you just want to be entertained with quality carnage. Gemmell delivers just that.

Steven Erikson similarly has a high quotient of havoc wreaking heroes, but requires much, much more focus while reading. That''s some serious world-building he''s doing.

I don''t understand how anyone could hate Jordan but love Goodkind. Even Goodkind loves Jordan - if he didn''t, he wouldn''t have copied Jordan''s characters, storylines, plot elements, etc...

Goodkind is just Jordan-lite. The only real difference between the two is that while Jordan can''t finish any plotline, Goodkind suddenly wraps up 500 pages of convoluted plot in about 2 paragraphs, usually by inventing something completely new to the story to miraculously solve an impossible problem.

Jordan is a much better writer though - if you can get over the fact that the story may never actually end, he makes for an enjoyable read.

The biggest thing that bugs me about Goodkind''s book are the weird non-fantasy disconnects that he throws in - primarily character names. Kahlan? good. Darken Rahl? good. Zeddicus Zul Zorander? good. Carl? um... not so good. Drives me nuts. ...Carl... yeesh...

Well, that, and the shameless and continuous recycling of his own works...

Sorry to resurrect an old thread but I feel I must atone for what I have done. I am the reason that Froggyboy came here. It was an accident really and I deeply apolgize for it. He is a very good friend of mine and is one of the most artistic people that I have ever met (in a few years his name might actually be well known across Canada due to his art) but when he gets riled he doesn''t know how to control himself. I felt so guilty about unleashing him here that I decided to sign up and atone for what he did :wink:. Oh yeah, also I felt that some of the new guys should read the interview; it''s hilarious. Now in an attempt to stay on topic with this nearly year old topic, I have read both Jordan''s and Goodkind''s works and they both bore me now. I gave up on Goodkind at the same book as Certis and I haven''t been able to get past the third chapter of the fourth book in Jordan''s series. They both write fantasy just without stout midgets and non-space dwelling vulcans. There, that was a fun trip down memory lane :D.

Posted: Jan 19, 2004 - 04:40 PM

Vector posted:

Posted: Dec 20, 2004 - 06:42 AM

I sure hope the guilt has not been eating you up this whole year!!!

I''ve read the beginnings of both series and enjoyed them at the time but declined to read a series so long and drawn out.

Although this comes from a guy who reads Starship Troopers and Battlefield Earth a couple of times a year!

"phragged" wrote:

Ouch...
on the recommondation front
David Farlands series is really good.
http://www.runelords.com/

Back onto the ""fantasy reading material"" topic of this ancient, ancient thread...

I''ll echo phragged on that one. I''ve read the first three books twice each, and I''m on my third trip through them and awaiting the fourth book. Supposedly the series actually ends with the next one. Imagine that. A fantasy series with some finality to it.

/me winks in Robert Jordan''s general direction

I''ve gone ahead and updated the thread title to reflect the present day.

I''ll echo phragged on that one. I''ve read the first three books twice each, and I''m on my third trip through them and awaiting the fourth book. Supposedly the series actually ends with the next one. Imagine that. A fantasy series with some finality to it.

Karla and I really enjoyed the first one, liked the second one but the third... meh. Kind of felt rushed.

I was just thinking about this thread the other day when I was discussing authors with a friend of mine, and was talking about this as the reason I won''t touch Goodkind''s work. Creepy coincidence, or destiny?

Hmm... I''ve always thought of Goodkind as the Ayn Rand of fiction. (EDIT I meant fantasy!)
If you can handle the thought of 600+ pages being devoted to the expression of an idea which could have been encompassed with a gently worded paragraph then Goodkind is definitely worth checking out!

Not the greatest author, but at least competent enough to put together ideas... even if they aren''t good. My biggest gripe would have to be the OBTW moments. Like: Oh by the way, if this group succeeds in their efforts then the little birds that eat the flies that pollinate the plants that filter the poisons out of the drinking water will die! DIE! Oh by the way, the dreamwalker is cooler than you are! Much much cooler! HE should have his own stories!!!

(EDIT Never post before the second cup of coffee!)

"karmajay" wrote:

I sure hope the guilt has not been eating you up this whole year!!!

No, but the statute of limitations ran out.

Wow, I had no idea this guy was such a jackass. I''ve been reading his series since the beginning, and gradually liking it less with each book. I haven''t read the lastest one (actually forgot to ever pick it up) and from the sounds of things, I might as well keep forgetting.

Note to Mr. Goodkind: You write fantasy. Asshat.

Now, for ""fantasy"" that''s not fantasy, try the Dark Tower. I still don''t know what to call that series. Fiction, certainly. But is it really Fantasy?

For good fantasy, definately George R. R. Martin. I''m foaming at the mouth for the next book, despite the years it has taken.

I''ll keep reading Jordan, even though I feel like he''s a bit of a tool for taking over HALF MY LIFE to get this far into his story. He could have wrapped up the wheel of time a decade ago . . .

Now, for ""fantasy"" that''s not fantasy, try the Dark Tower. I still don''t know what to call that series. Fiction, certainly. But is it really Fantasy?

The problem with that is at least the other ''asshat'' prints a book out in the series once a year.

How long has this series been around especially with the huge gaps between them!

The problem with that is at least the other ''asshat'' prints a book out in the series once a year.

How long has this series been around especially with the huge gaps between them!

Good thing the series is done now

"karmajay" wrote:

The problem with that is at least the other ''asshat'' prints a book out in the series once a year.

I would rather read one good book every 3 or 4 years than have a new crappy book every year.

Besides, Goodkind doesn''t write new books - he reissues his first book after changing the parameters on his MadLib Fantasy Novel program.

(Damnit, I''d planned on not getting into this thread again. Rats.)

(Damnit, I''d planned on not getting into this thread again. Rats.)

The power of the forums compels you! The power of the forums compels you!

Heh, wow! Some strong opinions here. I think I made it to book 6 with Goodkind but really struggled through the last few. The problem being first, they''re poorly written rehashes of the first books and second, I had read George R.R. Martin''s Fire and Ice books inbetween. The contrast of writing competency was truly shocking and really is almost unfair to Goodkind. Martin''s writing on that series is... just a level above anything I''d read in a really long time.

I haven''t read Jordan''s Wheel Of Time and probably won''t, but have been tempted many times because I like long series (I''m a fast reader, it''s what made me try Goodkind)

The thread meandered through the subject of reading writers you like or dislike and my addition to this topic would be, having seen a spoken word with Terry Pratchett and met the man he''s even MORE my favourite author than he was before. What a cool guy.

I have generally liked the Goodkind stuff (him being a jackass notwithstanding), and I''m one of those types that once I start a book series, I''ll doggedly see it through to the end.

That being said, the last two books have been a chore to read. I mean, what the hell was that book with his sister? It was several hundred pages of totally transparent crap. From very early on, you knew exactly where the story would end up. The rest was just masochism in print.

"Certis" wrote:

I highly recommend Robert Jordan''s Conan books. I believe a hard cover compilation of them was released a few years ago.

Jordan wrote Conan? Heh, that''s funny. When I first came across the Wheel of Time some years ago, my first reaction was ""that''s very Conanesque."" I can see how he''d be a good fit for the style, even though he''s no Robert Howard.

I sure hope the guilt has not been eating you up this whole year!!!

It hasn''t, I seldom feel guilty. It just hit me and remembered this thread and how it was the first thing that I read here. Sort of a nostalgia thing for me. Funny as hell too.

So, Jaqueline Carey...a writer with whom I am unfamiliar...something that almost never happens. Which book should I start with?

China Mieville: Like a god...the man is a god of the English language. The only problem I have with him is that when I read him, I despair of writing a novel with such fantastic prose.

Goodkind: You know who he reminds me of? Remember in the 2nd or 3rd Harry Potter book, there was the Dark Arts teacher who was just so full of his own hot air that he practically floated? Yep...me thinks he was patterned after our Mr. Goodkind. What a pompous windbag.

Hoochie - I think it''s quite possible that I love you. (In a strictly non-homewrecking kind of way, Certis...)

Hoochie - I think it''s quite possible that I love you. icon_smile.gif (In a strictly non-homewrecking kind of way, Certis...)

We actually encourage this behavior as long as photos and videos are provided.

"Edwin" wrote:

We actually encourage this behavior as long as photos and videos are provided.

Beaten to the punch. Well, I figured it would be by Edwin or Mex, and I don''t think Mex looks at threads about, you know, readin'' n'' stuff.

@Edwin: nice new avatar. Very spiffy. *golf clap*

I really burned out on fantasy, early in life. By the time I was 16 I had simply had enough. Even today, most fantasy makes me want to puke. It was literally all I read (exactly 100% of it,) for the first four fifths of my life.

The only fantasy I can really read, now, is Steven Brust. I love Steven Brust. His Vlad books (they''re the ones with names that don''t mean anything, ''Jhereg,'' ''Teckla,'' etc.) are just plain fun. They''re funny and entertaining and exciting, mildly thought-provoking at times, but mostly just fun. On the flip-side, books like ''To Reign in Hell,'' ''The Sun, The Moon, And The Stars'' and ''Agyar'' are real literary works that actually affected me as I grew up. His dialogue is... prodigious.

As to Goodkind, his books are not good. I read one of his books, I''m damned if I can remember which one. All I can remember is being underwhelmed. Not really so terrible, to be simply ''meh,'' if you at least don''t talk about yourself as though you''re Jesus Jr.

I saw the latest WoT book at Chapters the other day. I hadn''t known that the next one had come out. I was proud of myself for walking out without it.

So, Jaqueline Carey...a writer with whom I am unfamiliar...something that almost never happens. Which book should I start with?

The first book is Kushiel''s Dart and then Kushiel''s Chosen and Kushiel''s Avatar which appears the be the last.

Hoochie - I think it''s quite possible that I love you. (In a strictly non-homewrecking kind of way, Certis...)

I''ll keep that in mind next time you keep her up all night playing WoW instead of serving up some lovin''

Hah! I''d forgotten about this thread, and about my unrestrained display of bile and loathing.

Good times.

Deva, I hear you about Mieville. I feel the same way about writers like Ursula K. le Guin, who manage so effortlessly and with such a delicate touch to weave a sense of mythology into stories about very real, human characters.

By the way, if you haven''t ever read them, try a series of children''s books by Tove Janson, all about a bizarre bunch of creatures called Moonmintrolls. I read these as a kid and for the longest time I thought that I had invented them, or dreamed them, because I could never find the books again, and the stories are just so weird. Very entertaining though.

Ohoh! And Tanith Lee. Very beautiful writing. Man I wish I owned some of her ""Master"" collections, but they are hard to find.

Oh man...I remember the Moonminttrolls! I thought I''d made it up too...that''s hysterical. I''d completely forgotten about those books. Yay, now I''ll have to order then for when the boy is old enough. Poor kid, he''s only two, and already he''s got reading lists piling up.

Tanith Lee; agreed.