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Eye of the World

By Robert Jordan

(153)

| Others | 9780606120746

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Book Description

The Eye of the World and its sequels in Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time series show the extent to which one can go with a traditional fantasy framework, with added gusto. Stock elements are abound: a reluctant hero--in fact five humble village folk--plucked from wholesome obscurity to fiContinue

The Eye of the World and its sequels in Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time series show the extent to which one can go with a traditional fantasy framework, with added gusto. Stock elements are abound: a reluctant hero--in fact five humble village folk--plucked from wholesome obscurity to fight dark powers; an eternal evil enemy who can be defeated but not destroyed, until the end of the world, which is fast approaching; a mysterious sisterhood with vast powers and who love to manipulate thrones and kingdoms from the shadows (think of the Bene Gesserit of the Dune series); a ferocious battle-hardened warrior race (echoes of the Fremen of Dune, or the Haruchai of the Thomas Covenant novels).

Jordan didn't become a bestselling author merely by mixing up traditional ingredients; a master storyteller, he ingeniously gives unusual twists to these conventional fantasy elements. He also excels in the descriptive and narrative skills needed to create a detailed and coherent imaginary world. The many lands he portrays are vast in scope and contain amazingly varied countries and peoples, while retaining the inner coherence needed to make them satisfying places for a fantasy fan to roam around in. However, Jordan's writing never attains the subtlety or sophistication of, say, George RR Martin and there are some annoying stylistic tics: he seems unable to introduce a female character without commenting on her neckline and thereafter has them forever smoothing their dresses.

To his publisher's credit, Jordan's books are fortunate among fantasy novels in not having covers that look like an explosion of a teenager's bedroom. The absence of such lurid artwork is, perhaps, part of their appeal. --David Pickering

Critics

  • The Eye of the World By Robert Jordan

    Robert Jordan, storyteller par excellence and master of high fantasy sagas, conjures up dark imagery, vivid landscapes and uncommon characters as no one else can. To the delight of his many fans, we now have The Eye of the World, Book One of The Whee ... (read full critics)

    bookpage published on Tue, 14 Sep 2010

10 Reviews

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  • The start of my favorite series

    It unfolds in the traditional Tolkein archetype before branching out and quickly becoming its own epic fantasy. I highly recommend the series.

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    Stubob72556 said on Mar 27, 2012 about the Mass Market Paperback edition | Add your feedback

  • Pretty darn good! Every so often I'm in the mood for a good fantasy book for pure leisure purposes. The Eye of the World is the first book in The Wheel of Time series. The series has yet to publish the 14th and 15th books. When it's finished there will be over 10,500 pages of reading material in ... (continue)

    Pretty darn good! Every so often I'm in the mood for a good fantasy book for pure leisure purposes. The Eye of the World is the first book in The Wheel of Time series. The series has yet to publish the 14th and 15th books. When it's finished there will be over 10,500 pages of reading material in all. Needless to say, I'm glad that I have a huge list of books ahead of me whenever I'm in the mood to relax with a good story.

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    Rice Cooker said on Jul 11, 2010 about the Audio CD edition | Add your feedback

  • I haven't finished it yet but it takes a long time to get to the action. It's kinda of a copy of the Lord Of
    The Rings in some ways.

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    Ychika said on Feb 11, 2010 about the Mass Market Paperback edition | Add your feedback

  • Greastest epic of our age

    It is hard to review a series with the prestige of the Wheel of Time. Spanning some 10,000 pages over 13 books with 2 remaining (published post mortem) the series has a devoted following and I must confess to being at one with these fans.

    I have lost count of the times I have read and reread t ... (continue)

    It is hard to review a series with the prestige of the Wheel of Time. Spanning some 10,000 pages over 13 books with 2 remaining (published post mortem) the series has a devoted following and I must confess to being at one with these fans.

    I have lost count of the times I have read and reread this series over the past 18 years, as addicted now as when I began reading it as a teen.

    Epic, with elements of high fantasy and a felicity of style that drags the mind further into Jordan's world than you expected to go.

    A must for people who enjoy epic fantasy.

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    Cynicalmournings said on Nov 18, 2009 about the Mass Market Paperback edition | Add your feedback

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