Wow I loved this book!
Why, I ask myself, do many of us enjoy JoeC's commentaries, questions and impressions so much? Speaking for myself, I look forward to these more than the posts from certain hypercritical individuals who shall remain nameless. The quote above encapsulates it, I think. It's the pure joy of discovery and the way JoeC enjoys this story as much as anyone. It's also his fresh perspective which probably reflects the average young reader and his humility in receiving lots of opinions and corrections with a seemingly open mind and sweet spirit.
I enjoy Brandon's pacing a lot more than RJ's also.
I had the pleasure and privilege of spending some time with Brandon and Harriet a year ago and two things he said still reverberate in my brain. Firstly, Brandon claimed that everything he had read on forums about who everyone thought wrote which parts of The Gathering Storm. . . were wrong! That means that those scenes where Mat was portrayed in a manner that dismayed so many were probably written by RJ., who also wrote the Tower of Ghenjei scenes, I'm pretty sure Brandon said. Hmmmm . . . . We all need to be careful with judgments about things like pacing and style, although the overall pacing seems better as does the pacing within each scene.
Harriet and the other Team Jordan members must have a lot to do with some of these decisions, too. Brandon's mark is obvious to anyone who has read all the books, but just what is him and what is RJ seems to be a tricky guess. We must remember that Jim Rigney was very ill when he wrote some of his last scenes and notes and there are errors and inconsistencies in what he left. (So blogged Brandon recently.) I can't even imagine how difficult it was to create these last three books in light of a whole team of editors and fans who dissect every small mistake and every perceived change.
Also, Brandon's least favorite character to write was Cadsuane. Harriet and I both looked a bit askance at that and I'm glad to hear that you like Cadsuane, too. She has always been one of my favorite Aes Sedai; sniffing, tsking, frowning, spankings and all.
-First off, I did not pick up the hint that Graendal killed Asmodean. Not until reading the forums afterwards did I see that. At least that's solved!! FINALLY lol. Although it is a bit anti climactic, I'd still be interested to know why exactly she did it.
Good point! Another thing Brandon said was that not all plot threads will be resolved and not all questions will be answered. The very most interesting thing he said (just after one of his signings) was that some of the resolutions were not at all how he would have written them, and some not even much to his liking. I bet he won't answer my question, if I ever get to ask him, for more details on that score! He is too respectful to the late Mr. Jordan.
-The whole section of the book dealing with Egwene and the Aes Sedai, Wise Ones, Windfinders vs. Mesaana and Black Ajah/ Perrin vs. Slayer/ Gawyn vs. Blood Knives left me breathless!! Hooooly crap that was awesome. Kudos to BS for putting that together so well!! Where do I start?!? lol
Again, pure JoeC joy. In this world of cynicism and hyper-analysis, this is a breath of fresh air, don't you agree?
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