Timewaster's Guide Archive

I rather like books where the author doesn't really define, or tries to hide where the character fits on the spectrum EUOL defines.

For instance, in Harry Potter, I think most people agree (including Harry) that he is more of just a normal wizard, and everything he can do is more or less known by the reader.  However, I know there is some debate about if harry has any powers he doesn't really know about.  In many ways, he has shown himself to be normal, but there is also the prophecy about him, and some signs that he can do things other wizards can't.

I don't really think he'll come out and defeat Voldemort with some completely unseen power that pops out of the blue (Sword of Truth style), for as EUOL has also said, that tends to make bad stories.  However, I do kind of like how JKR keeps us on the edge.  She doesn't really have him come out and do big major things that ruin the story, but she always kind of keeps the door open.  It adds to the suspense and provides more of an interesting read, when he is trapped you expect him to do something out of the ordinary, but he comes back and just does something he already knows how to do (with the exception of the end of The Goblet of Fire, but in all honesty that was more his wand's power than himself).

Also, I really love how Mistborn takes advantage of this concept.  The magic system is relatively simple in what it can do, you can explain it to most people in a short conversation.  However, when you first learn about it in the book, I don't think anyone really imagines the kind of scenes that will come from it's use.   That first action scene really set's the hook.  I've told everyone I've lent the book to, that they just need to get to that part (I think it's page 72?) and they will finish it a few days after.

I really like the Morgan Freeman for Sazed idea.

As for Kel, I think that it would be interesting to see Wentworth Miller give it a shot.  He might not be the best choice, but he's the best I could come up with.  He could easily do the physical aspects of the part, as well as pull off the scheming and leadership areas.  The charismatic part of the roll would be where the gamble lies.

I think Jennifer Garner could maybe pull off Shan.

Though really, if it was my choice, there wouldn't be any actors to play any of the rolls.  It would be fun to see it on the big screen, but I really think it would be much too difficult to pull off right now.  If you combine the action scenes with all that happens in the plot, it would be too much.  I'd hate to see such a great series chopped up, mixed around and shoved into the big screen format.

I know there are a few larger works that are being made into a series, or mini series, which I think might work for this kind of novel, but we'll just have to wait and see how those turn out.