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Theophilus
Learned Scribe
Australia
143 Posts |
 Posted - 11 Jul 2008 : 05:20:38
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Hi,
I've been reading the FR novels chronologically since 87 (I'm in 96 now) with a few exceptions. One of the interesting things I've noted is that in most of these novels there has been little written concerning Dwarves or with Dwarven protagonists/main characters in the novels and when these are included they are often IMO stereotyped. Does anyone have any thoughts on why this might be? Are there any particularly good novels with Dwarves which readers recommend?
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Kyrene
Senior Scribe
South Africa
757 Posts |
Posted - 11 Jul 2008 : 06:17:01
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| Crypt of the Moaning Diamond must have one of the most lovable and interesting dwarven characters in it. I highly recommend that novel. |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31774 Posts |
Posted - 11 Jul 2008 : 06:46:29
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Rich Baker said:-
"I'd be happy to write about dwarves, but I think it would be a tough sell to much of our audience (and I know our book editors would be pretty shaky on supporting such a notion). We think that most of our readers just aren't that interested in dwarf protagonists in a story. I don't know why that is -- they're fine as supporting characters. But they just don't seem to have the same "starring role" capacity that humans or elves (or drow!) do."
...
My impression is this is inferred from market research rather than known directly. I'm sure there's truth in it, though I don't think dwarves are harder for us to relate to than elves -- maybe harder to aspire to. [But why would Realms readers be less receptive to dwarf novels than DRAGONLANCE readers?]
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Theophilus
Learned Scribe
Australia
143 Posts |
Posted - 11 Jul 2008 : 07:09:09
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quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
Rich Baker said:-
"I'd be happy to write about dwarves, but I think it would be a tough sell to much of our audience (and I know our book editors would be pretty shaky on supporting such a notion). We think that most of our readers just aren't that interested in dwarf protagonists in a story. I don't know why that is -- they're fine as supporting characters. But they just don't seem to have the same "starring role" capacity that humans or elves (or drow!) do."
...
My impression is this is inferred from market research rather than known directly. I'm sure there's truth in it, though I don't think dwarves are harder for us to relate to than elves -- maybe harder to aspire to. [But why would Realms readers be less receptive to dwarf novels than DRAGONLANCE readers?]
Sage - I was thinking the exact same thing about your last point. It's struck me as really odd that the FR setting seems to have very little (IMO) sympathy for Dwarves as a whole. Its a shame to be honest.
(In saying that, the "Dwarves Deep" product was particularly good but its the only product that I know of.) |
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Jorkens
Great Reader
Norway
2950 Posts |
Posted - 11 Jul 2008 : 10:37:31
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I would go for Dragonlance books if I were to read about dwarves. As you say, they have gotten little attention in Realms books and even less as time has passed. Not sexy and romantic enough (at least from a publisher point of view) would be my guess. But then again, what do I know.
And dwarven ladies have beards, just so it has been said. |
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MerrikCale
Senior Scribe
USA
947 Posts |
Posted - 12 Jul 2008 : 04:04:22
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| Thornhold? |
When hinges creak in doorless chambers and strange and frightening sounds echo through the halls, whenever candlelights flicker where the air is deathly still, that is the time when ghosts are present, practicing their terror with ghoulish delight. |
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Jimbobx
Learned Scribe
United Kingdom
109 Posts |
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Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
Great Reader
USA
7106 Posts |
Posted - 13 Jul 2008 : 04:03:59
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quote:
Originally posted by Kyrene
Crypt of the Moaning Diamond must have one of the most lovable and interesting dwarven characters in it. I highly recommend that novel.
I second this recommendation. |
"Instead of asking why we sleep, it might make sense to ask why we wake. Perchance we live to dream. From that perspective, the sea of troubles we navigate in the workaday world might be the price we pay for admission to another night in the world of dreams."
--Richard Greene (letter to Time) |
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MerrikCale
Senior Scribe
USA
947 Posts |
Posted - 13 Jul 2008 : 04:30:13
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quote:
Originally posted by Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
quote:
Originally posted by Kyrene
Crypt of the Moaning Diamond must have one of the most lovable and interesting dwarven characters in it. I highly recommend that novel.
I second this recommendation.
third |
When hinges creak in doorless chambers and strange and frightening sounds echo through the halls, whenever candlelights flicker where the air is deathly still, that is the time when ghosts are present, practicing their terror with ghoulish delight. |
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Aulduron
Learned Scribe
USA
343 Posts |
Posted - 17 Jul 2008 : 21:33:39
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I thought RAS did a wonderful job with Dwarves in his last series. Their sense of honor, camaraderie, and self sacrifice nearly brought tears to my eyes, many times.
I would rush right out and buy books about Dwarven clans, especially in ancient history. |
"Those with talent become wizards, Those without talent spend their lives praying for it"
-Procopio Septus |
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Dwarves in FR novels
