Robin Hobb *spoilers*

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It seems that we should have a broader discussion on Hobb's books, and the "Which Book" thread is not really the place to discuss an author in any real depth anyway...

Oh, no! Not all three. Really, I got it the first time it was mentioned. Really...

Barmy - The characters are wonderful. As for the slow moving plot: Well, yes...it...is...slow. The problem is that Hobb constantly repeats herself in the narrative, and really, there is so much filler. A good editor could have cut 200+ pages from _Fool's Errand_ and it still would have contained just as much story. In fact, there is not much of a story at all. How many times have we seen this story: There's a crisis situation, and only one man can save the day. But, alas, he is in retirement, mostly because of an extra bad experience. There's got to be a way him out of retirement....

Yes, we have seen countless Clint Eastwood/Rambo type grade B movies with this exact plot. The difference is that Hobb has wonderfully human characters, whereas those grade B type movies are full of cardboard cut-outs who are supposed to be characters. I could have written a review on this book, but I have not quite finished it yet...


This is one of those books in which there is no need for the reader to go back and read the other books, because Hobb very carefully explains what previously happened throughout the narrative of _Fool's Errand_. Now, if those wonderful characters would only do something.

[ March 02, 2006, 02:37: Message edited by: Taluntain ]

 

It's not really like how you've described it, Chandos. Although I can understand how you can see it like that, having read them in the wrong order.

 

I think the Tawny Man books are great. So are the Farseer ones and so are the Liveship Traders ones. I'm still in the middle of Golden Fool and it's great. I do agree with Chandos to a certain degree. The weakest part of any of the books is that first part of Fool's Errand with that extended period in his cabin. That part could have been condensed, or if not condensed, then the space should have been used to flesh Hap out a bit more (really you know nothing about him at all before he goes to Buckkeep).

But I still maintain that The Liveship Traders is completely ruined if you read it after Tawny Man.

 

I was thinking of reading _Shaman's Crossing_ next. I don't think it has anything to do with the other books, and it is her latest effort.

 

I think you should really start with Assassins Apprentice and not with the Fools Errand.

One of the main points of the Farseer books were that Fitz Chivalry had to sacrifice a lot... his girl, his kid, his title, his family and a part of himself.

In Tawny Man, his broken and has the character of a badger, i.e. his grim.

And grim is according to Webster:
stern or forbidding in action or appearance
ghastly, repellent, or sinister in character

Just how Gina sees him. But you have to go through the whole Farseer Trilogy and appreciate all the tribulations he goes through, to become the grim badger secluded in his hole as his found in the Fools Errand.

A big part of the the Tawny Man trilogy is in fact nothing but mending still open wounds from the Farseer Trilogy. For example, the relationship between Starling and Fitz is a tad bit weird. More so if you consider how Starling, the starstruck, betrayed Fitz for her own gain in Assassins Quest. Some scars get healed. And the Fool quite literally wants to make Fitz whole again.

In in Golden Fool, we get told how much Kettricken adores Fitz. But then again, the reason for this is in the other trilogy. And the according "feeeling" that the reader himself has developed while reading through the Farseer books and getting attached to the characters.

Anyway, read Farseer. I wanted to say that reading them is pure pleasure. But that would be a lie. It's not pure pleasure, it's pleasure spiked with pain. But that makes the whole thing just more captivating-

 

Beware: may be spoilers ahead for some here:
Iago -
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Yes, I understand from Fool's Errand that Fitz had lost Molly and the child they had together. Also, that Fitz had been killed and then brought back to life again, and that most everyone who knew him, believes that he is gone for good. And that he is also a Royal person, and that he gave up his claim as a Farseer for some reason of honor. I also know that Chade has been manipulating him for a long time, for different reasons, and that Fitz is aware of this situation. But the story still moves way too slow, and there is a lot of filler in this 650 page book, a lot of which is not necessary for a good, tightly crafted narrative...

 

There is a lot of filler but if you had read Farseer first, then you are already so involved with Fitz that you don't mind spending that much time with him and getting to know more about him. It's like hanging out with an old friend. It doesn't have to be action packed all the time. It's great. I wish I could write as well as this.

 

SPOILERS AHEAD

I've told you that the first part of Fools Errand is only meeting people and talking about things. But mainly about things that happened in between Assassin's Quest and Fools Errand, like the witted people he met. Imagine, the French version of Fools Errand is cut in two books, so my first book of the Tawny Man was only sitting in the hut. But more correctly named: Royal Assassin part 7, The White Prophet.

Or you could try and jump in with Assassin's Quest. Because in Assassin's Quest happens a lot and of important places get visited. Places that are important for all 9 books. And many things from Assassin's Quest are directly linked to the Tawny Man. Particularly Kettricken, Starling, Shade and that Prince. The Prince...

Anyway, the actual story of the Tawny Man doesn't start before Golden Fool.

Ok, if you don't want to read the whole Farseer, read Assassin's Quest only. Because I don't think that Royal Assassin adds a lot to the greater story (Except a few hundred pages of torture and some baby-making with Molyy, alas you would lose a lot of Lady Patience and Lacey talking).

Read at least Assassins Quest. That's my recommendation. And I think that many things in the Tawny Man can't be understood (or at least not appreciated how they deserve to be) without knowing what happened on the magic road.

And for another part. Hobb shows us how Chivalry Junior sees things. But Fitz isn't the sharpest tool in the shed, as he himself often confesses. Many places from Farseer get revisited and are now seen with a different view. Because he now "talks" with people and gets a clue sometimes (and with him the reader who also couldn't have known).

Which is quite interesting in itself, as suddenly completely different explanations for things are available, that weren't. For example Burich's opinion about the wit.

 

Reading the whole thing from start to finish is like reading David Copperfield. You start with his earliest memories and childhood experiences and get a real feel for how they impact his thoughts and decisions in later life. Writing that sort of thing well is very tricky. David Copperfield is the benchmark but Hobb's books are along the same lines. Imagine trying to read David Copperfield starting from when he was grown up. Madness!

 

I still don't understand why you started with Tawny Man

 

Just finished Fool's Fate, the last book (as far as I know) with Fitz and the old gang. Been reading it all day! Brilliant, per usual, and pretty emotional as well.
I'm really saddened to have finished the saga - that's when you know you've had a good read!

Best. Books. Ever.

 

I'm almost at the end of Fool's Fate.

Poor Fool! *Weeps*