| Author |
 Topic  |
|
|
Arion Elenim
Senior Scribe
933 Posts |
 Posted - 30 Oct 2003 : 02:03:45
|
I don't how else to ask this, so I'll come out and say it and see who agrees.....
After having read 100 pages of The Lone Drow, I can REALLY see the difference....I have this horrible feeling that Thousand Orcs was ghost-written....it just doesn't seem like Salvatore's style..at all.....whereas LD seems to return to his more Legacy of the Drow habits.....
I'll explain further if anyone thinks I'm out of my mind.........
|
My latest Realms-based short story, about a bard, a paladin of Lathander and the letter of the law, Debts Repaid. It takes place before the "shattering" and gives the bard Arion a last gasp before he plunges into the present.http://candlekeep.com/campaign/logs/log-debts.htm |
|
|
William of Waterdeep
Senior Scribe
USA
829 Posts |
Posted - 02 Nov 2003 : 07:36:01
|
Could you explain a little more? I have it but haven't read it.Still trying to stay in order. |
Courage isn't the lack of fear but rather believing in and doing what you know is right even though fear is present.
|
 |
|
|
SiriusBlack
Great Reader
USA
5517 Posts |
Posted - 02 Nov 2003 : 16:02:27
|
| I don't think you are out of your mind. But please, explain a bit more. I have read a copy of A Thousand Orcs and although I don't have the copy anymore, memory should serve in being able to reference anything you bring up. Although, my memory might have also purged a great many details out of self-preservation. |
|
|
|
Lina
Senior Scribe
Australia
469 Posts |
Posted - 16 Nov 2003 : 02:11:31
|
| It could be possible that Salvatore got someone else to write the novel for him and he just slapped his name on it. It has been known to happen. But I haven't read 1000 orcs so its only a theory here. |
“Darkness beyond twilight, crimson beyond blood that flows! Buried in the flow of time. In thy great name. I pledge myself to darkness. All the fools who stand in our way shall be destroyed…by the power you and I possess! DRAGON SLAVE!!!”
"Thieves? Ah, such an ugly word... look upon them as the most honest sort of merchant."
-Oglar the Thieflord |
|
|
|
Thysl
Seeker
USA
64 Posts |
Posted - 16 Nov 2003 : 08:21:11
|
Thousand orcs, to me, seemed forced and considerably dumbed down. Now I know that Salvatore is writing to include a younger audience - which usually is fine - but with Sea of Swords and Thousand Orcs his target reader level seems too low. This is completely my opinion, know that I like (mostly ) Mr. Salvatore's corner of the realms, and think that he is one of the few authors that do justice to the true FEEL of the Forgotten Realms. |
There are as many nights as days, and the one is just as long as the other in the year's course. Even a happy life cannot be without a measure of darkness, and the word 'happy' would lose its meaning if it were not balanced by sadness.
--Carl Jung |
|
|
|
Mumadar Ibn Huzal
Master of Realmslore
1338 Posts |
Posted - 16 Nov 2003 : 10:48:44
|
I would disagree on Salvatore adding to the Realms feel. Any FR sage worth his salt can see that R.A.S. has a tendency not stick to already established Realms lore and seems to come up with things at random - which the game designers afterward have to compromise on to fit in the game and make it appear as if it was originally meant to be that way.
My biggest gripe on R.A.S. writing style is his absurd choice of names for characters. They generally don't fit in the 'feel' of the Realms and have a tendency somehow to sound Mediterranean, or are literally and figuratively jokes.
Of course there is an audience out there that likes this and can appreciate this - nothing wrong with that - but somehow the works of R.A.S. stand out as a dark splotch on the colorful tapestry of the Realms. |
Edited by - Mumadar Ibn Huzal on 16 Nov 2003 10:49:49 |
|
|
|
Thysl
Seeker
USA
64 Posts |
Posted - 16 Nov 2003 : 20:38:26
|
quote:
They generally don't fit in the 'feel' of the Realms and have a tendency somehow to sound Mediterranean, or are literally and figuratively jokes.
Well having read a few of Mr. Greenwood's books I have to say this: Mr. Greenwood maintains a capracious and light style even through the most dire of circumstances and, in my opinion, Mr. Salvotore is the only author to transfer that 'feel' into his own novels.
In the above quote you mentioned that Mr. Salvotore doesn't "fit the 'feel' of the Realms". I am want to remind you that your idea of the realms, Mr. Greenwood's, Mr. Salvotore, and mine are, by the very nature of imagination, wholly different things.
quote:
Any FR sage worth his salt can see that R.A.S. has a tendency not stick to already established Realms lore and seems to come up with things at random
Heh! Makes stuff up at random; sounds alot like Mr. Greenwood himself! as an aside about this comment: When speaking about my opinions of novels and authors I expect to be called down, often, but please refrain from insinuations that I'm not 'worth my salt'.
quote:
the works of R.A.S. stand out as a dark splotch on the colorful tapestry of the Realms.
Ahhh, the beauty of opinion. This may be true for you - certainly it is becoming true for me as I grow as a critic and reader - but there are a grip of 12-18 year old nerds that would vehemently disagree. Such statements would probably sound like this: 'n0 wAy, n00b! Drizzt r0xx0r!'
Anyhow, I'm done. |
There are as many nights as days, and the one is just as long as the other in the year's course. Even a happy life cannot be without a measure of darkness, and the word 'happy' would lose its meaning if it were not balanced by sadness.
--Carl Jung |
|
|
|
Maecenus of Westgate
Learned Scribe
USA
111 Posts |
Posted - 17 Nov 2003 : 03:13:27
|
quote:
Of course there is an audience out there that likes this and can appreciate this - nothing wrong with that - but somehow the works of R.A.S. stand out as a dark splotch on the colorful tapestry of the Realms.
I disagree. Salvatore's works are definitely the highlights of an otherwise mediocre series of books focusing on the Forgotten Realms. Granted, Drizzt is a bit overrated and more of an iconic figurehead to young readers but one can't help but become immersed in Salvatore's writing when concerning his details on the various cultures of Faerun, especially the drow. If not for RAS's Dark Elf Trilogy, the overall mystique and flavor surrounding the drow would be lessened, giving the Forgotten Realms much less depth and excitement.
|
|
|
|
Mumadar Ibn Huzal
Master of Realmslore
1338 Posts |
Posted - 17 Nov 2003 : 18:51:59
|
Of course opinions vary, part of the colorfulness of human beings - if one wants to say something good on the race 
What I meant to say that R.A.S. makes things up and doesn't take 'Realmslore' in account becomes obvious if one is more familiar with the older FR publications, especially the game accessories. Works by various authors which have set down in detail regions and backgrounds are completely glossed over by R.A.S. and then the designers have to see how they can fit it in
Now on Mr. Greenwoods writing style (novels) I agree, and R.A.S. is definitely the better author of the two.
As to the feel of the Realms, while that may be a subjective something, there are authors who stay closer to published Realms material (sourcebooks, novels, etc) than R.A.S. And also come up with things of their own.
quote:
Ahhh, the beauty of opinion. This may be true for you - certainly it is becoming true for me as I grow as a critic and reader - but there are a grip of 12-18 year old nerds that would vehemently disagree. Such statements would probably sound like this: 'n0 wAy, n00b! Drizzt r0xx0r!'
Anyhow, I'm done.
I know, Im getting old well at least older
quote:
Heh! Makes stuff up at random; sounds alot like Mr. Greenwood himself! as an aside about this comment: When speaking about my opinions of novels and authors I expect to be called down, often, but please refrain from insinuations that I'm not 'worth my salt'.
Didnt mean to offend, was more meant as a figure of speech in relation to the titles on the forum, rather than the true sage-ness of some of the forums contributors. The number of post counts is definitely not an indication of such.
|
|
|
|
KlarthAilerion
Acolyte
49 Posts |
Posted - 17 Nov 2003 : 19:14:23
|
I'll put this down as simply as possible:
'Forgotten Realms' > 'the drow series + the Greenwood novels'
The Realms as a whole are comprised of many different settings, populated by many different races and unique individual characters. Yes, if you remove the drow, the Realms are lessened. But not any more so than if you were to remove Cormyr, or Waterdeep, or the Dales, or Amn, Tethyr, Thay, Mulhorand, Unther, or Maztica (yes, even Maztica). The realms are comprised of those and more areas as well as the characters that populate those areas, and as well as the history of those areas.
I think the larger issue here is that some readers are fans of the greater Realms, and some readers are fans of the drow.
And talking about just the novels doesn't even scratch the gaming aspect of the Realms.. I'm sure that there have been quite a few epic campaigns over the years that haven't included the drow at all. Does that make them dull and mediocre? Maybe for some people, but then those people wouldn't enjoy that adventure anyway. |
|
|
|
SiriusBlack
Great Reader
USA
5517 Posts |
Posted - 18 Nov 2003 : 04:28:55
|
quote:
Originally posted by KlarthAilerion
I think the larger issue here is that some readers are fans of the greater Realms, and some readers are fans of the drow.
Narrow that scope even further. Some readers are merely fans of the drow as written by one author, R.A. Salvatore. |
|
|
|
Thysl
Seeker
USA
64 Posts |
Posted - 18 Nov 2003 : 08:15:48
|
quote:
Didnt mean to offend, was more meant as a figure of speech in relation to the titles on the forum, rather than the true sage-ness of some of the forums contributors. The number of post counts is definitely not an indication of such.
Ahhh, no problem, mate! Just ribbin' ya!
quote:
I know, Im getting old well at least older
We are only as old as we feel. In that case I'm 300.
quote:
Some readers are merely fans of the drow as written by one author, R.A. Salvatore.
That's right, d00d! Drow R0xx0R! (sorry, couldn't help it) |
There are as many nights as days, and the one is just as long as the other in the year's course. Even a happy life cannot be without a measure of darkness, and the word 'happy' would lose its meaning if it were not balanced by sadness.
--Carl Jung |
|
|
|
RogueAssassin
Learned Scribe
USA
207 Posts |
Posted - 22 Dec 2003 : 20:08:52
|
Hey you gotta give the guy a break on the names. it cant be easy comming up with tons and tons of names for every book you write. |
"Spirit. Its a Heros strength, a mothers resiliance, and the poor mans armor. It cannot be broken and it cannot be taken away. This i must belive"---Drizzt Do'Urden |
|
|
| |
Topic |
|
Thousand Orcs writing style
