Birthday Friday

[judd_sonofbert]

Reading: I am reading Deadhouse Gates but two hundred pages in and I'm just not sure if Erickson is for me, too much world-building and not enough character. I've picked up the new Del Rey Elric collection and might switch to that.

Planning: Y'know, I was thinking about getting some friends together for a birthday shindig but I think it'll be a

Comments

[matt_m_mcelroy]

Reading: Shadows over Filmland from Pelgrane Press

Planning: OddCon starts today.

Wearing: Jeans and my Ashcan Front t-shirt

Writing: Reviews and zombie fiction

[the_stalwart]

Happy Birthday, Mr. K!

bday wishes

[judd_sonofbert]

Thank you, sir.

[digitalpoetry]

I seem to remember feeling the same way through the first half of Deadhouse Gates - Erickson does spend a lot of pages on world-building, but the characters do get more interesting right around the midpoint of the book, as I recall. Overall, the series starts out heavy on the world-building, and gets more and more character-driven as it goes.

My main problem with his writing is that he'll introduce things in passing and then two books later they turn out to be major plot points, by which time I've forgotten all about them.

Also, happy birthday!

Dense world, thin characters

[judd_sonofbert]

I'm just not sure if I am in for a long haul of a fantasy series like this. I dunno.

I've read 200 pages in very little time, so there is definitely something compelling there. I get that but the characters feel paper thin to me.

Re: Dense world, thin characters

[digitalpoetry]

Yeah, he's better at grand vistas and plot points (slow though they are to resolve) and not so strong with characterization, although that's especially an issue with the Bridgeburners. Some of the other characters he introduces have a lot more meat to them, and the Bridgeburners become less central to the plot as you get farther in

[nellisir]

I think I'm stuck at almost the same point you are with Erikson. I read the first book, and took Deadhouse Gates out at the library, but gave it up after the first paragraph. I just couldn't handle the thought of another thousand-page slog for some vague assurance that "it'll get better...eventually."

I may take another shot at it this summer.

200 in

[judd_sonofbert]

I also read it and stopped after a few paragraphs but now, here I am, 200 pages in, not sure where to go from here.

Re: 200 in

[nellisir]

I reread the entire Black Company instead.

Now I'm concentrating on finishing up schoolwork, then I'll play around with Swords & Wizardry for the summer, and probably reread Lankhmar for the first week or two.

Re: 200 in

[judd_sonofbert]

I bought the new compilation and re-read the first book last summer. I'll likely finish the trilogy this summer.

[yeloson]

Reading: Not much right now. A little research for a game idea, that's it.

Planning: Got a class on Sunday on assessing physical stuff, how to train and not get hurt, etc.

Wearing: Shorts & T.

Writing: Fiddling with TSOY to play a Skype game.