R.I.P. Robert Jordan (Fantasy Writer)
Wouldn't you know it, Just this month I started reading (or rather listening to) the Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan (real name James Oliver Rigney Jr.), and he dies of a rare blood disease a couple of days ago. Since the announcement, I've been reading other fan postings and news articles around the world, pondering the fact that the series I just started may never be finished. He was working on the 12th and hopefully final book of the series when he died.
There is hope that the notes he left behind will be enough for another writer to complete the work, but even that will be a shadow. I can't but think that anyone who has read the past 11 books of the series as well as the prequel will notice a distinct shift of author style due to posthumous editing and publishing of the final book.
I'm only on book two, enjoying the unabridged version on my drive to and from work each day. The books are narrated by the husband and wife team of Michael Kramer and Kate Reading and were approved by Robert Jordan. There are critics that have accused Robert Jordan of using filler, and some blame the publisher, but I have yet to experience anything of the sort. Robert wove a rich tapestry and reading the series is truly an immersive experience.
Before anyone snickers and considers that listening to a book is not the same as reading, let me assure you that while a narrator adds a small bit of their personality to the outcome, the result is still the same minus the tired eyes from not being able to put a book down. Too often I've picked up a book and not put it down until the last page, not even noticing the sun go down and come up again. Listening to a book is actually more enjoyable and forces me to slow down and enjoy it a bit more.
The wheel weaves as the wheel turns
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