Salvatore compared to Tolkien

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Classic!

I haven't read Salvatore. I assume his writing is on par with Eddings or Brooks. I love Tolkien and haven't seen anything in the fantasy books realm that comes close to what he wrote.
My main reason for not reading Salvatore? Too many books, too little time. I am currently trying to catch up on SF classics. Hugo and Nebula winners as well as other books from classic writers, like Heinlein, Zelazny, Bradbury, and Asimov. I doubt that I will ever catch up to the point where I will read Salvatore.

 

@ Fordasthar:
Interesting. It's the first time I heard about this "age-elitism". Maybe I am subject to this, but then, maybe not. But how can you judge me? Do you have other examples from me acting like that? I'm only member of this board for a few weeks, so I doubt you "caught" me on other occasions.

I think you failed to understand me. I didn't asked icingdeath for his/her age not to undermine his/her opinion. I'm sorry if I made a mistake. But I can speak from experience that books written like these are favored by people a certain age. It is an explanation among others. I can accept that. But to do so, I have to know. So I asked.

About my weak ego: I've met enough people younger than me who were/are mentally more than a match to me, so I can judge my mental capabilities well enough. I may have a high opinion of my literal taste (and musical taste, for that matter), but I can accept the tastes of other people. But there are some things which insult my taste, as everyone. In that case, I will stand up to my opinion.
If I'm overdoing it, sorry. I will try to restrain myself.

But, frankly, you don't have to insult me. And letting your education hang out this way(I know that the finnish eductional system is better than the german ) isn't putting your arguments on strong grounds.
Please stay polite and don't look your nose down on other people if you are accusing them to do exactly that.

[ March 24, 2003, 14:56: Message edited by: Fabius Maximus ]

 

@Fabius Maximus

I took you for the typical all too familiar case of someone who... well I think I already explained that one. Seems I was at least somewhat mistaken. The provoking nature of my text was there for the same reason.

So granted, age is an issue in this. Obviously Vinny Pooh books are generally read by people considerably younger than for example the pre-mentioned Lord of the Rings. This comparison was a lousy one, though, because the case is hardly the same with Salvatore and Tolkien. Certainly the action-packed nature of Salvatore's books makes it more appealing to younger audience. But you made it sound -at least to my ears- as if it was a lack of maturity and intelligence that lead people to read Salvatore.

As you yourself said:

Does that not imply just a little bit demeaning attitude towards Salvatore readers? Is that not the same sort of "looking down your nose" attitude you just blamed me of? If you're going to apologize, do it straight instead of trying to circle around your own words, please. As far as my education goes, it's hardly high enough to grant me any considerable advantage. For my insults, I do apologize.

And, welcome to the boards.

 

Perhaps we might be able to salvage the topic a little?

I actually didn't mind the first Salvatore Book that I read, The Legacy. I'd rate it about 6.5 on the imaginary "Tolkien" scale, that I started off with.

I even managed to convince one of my friends who is an ardently "anti-Drizzt" person to give it a go and he agreed.

So each to his own, and let's discuss what is good about books, so people like me can learn, and perhaps find something good to read.

Currently moving on to other authors...

 

@Tal: That one was a joke, for heaven's sake! What do you think the graemlin was for?


You both misunderstood my sentence that Foradasthar quoted. I was speaking about favorites, not about liking the books at all. And it was an assumption. If you prove me the contrary, I'd be happy to change my view.

I probably have to take private lessons in english. Everybody seems to misunderstand me...

@Khazraj: Sorry about going OT.

[ March 21, 2003, 14:37: Message edited by: Fabius Maximus ]

 

Tal, Beren.... I wholeheartedly agree. A good book is ageless and timeless. And I must say this ...

Foradasthar -- Since when? Please explain to me what the cut-off age is for enjoying action novels?? I am no teenager, but hardly in the rocking chair yet, and I enjoy books of ALL types. And, who knows, maybe if I WAS in a rocking chair, all decrepit and bent with age, I might enjoy action books even more!....oh, but wait...only after I took my medications....wouldn't want to get too excited.

 

Fabius. I don't remember you going OT. Take it easy mein freund.

Beren. You mention Frodo observing the fall of Saruman. I don't remember this bit... (I don't remember lots of bits...)

Timeless and age restrictionless = well written book.

 

It's right at the end, how could I forget that bit...

Thankx Beren

 

@ Fabius: I'm only 13, but have read all of the Drizzt books, read LOTR 3 times, read all of Robert Jordan, read the Margeret Wies and Tracy Hickman Dragonlance books, and so on. I think that Salatores books are fast paced, interesting, and have great Chara development. Have you read any of Drizzt's philosophy's? I can't see how you think that Salvatore's books are horrible. I am not bragging(about the books I have read), I am just stating the truth.

[ April 07, 2003, 23:24: Message edited by: Icingdeath45 ]

 

Please don't say you speak the truth. It makes me grating my teeth. You can just state your truth aka your opinion. Nobody owns the truth.

I was only speaking about the Darkelf- and Icewinddale-trilogies, because I read these (in that order) and gave up on Salvatore after finishing them.

MfG

 

His books get bettr as they go on, after IWD at least.

 

I disagree... I thought IWD was the best, particularly Streams of Silver and the Halfling's Gem. I just finished the Legacy books and Seige of Darkness left me cold (got so sick of being in the Underdark), but Passage of Dawn rocked -- all the sea battles and haunted islands!

 

You're right spellbound, especially that spell batlle with robillard and one of the Harpell's.

Though I must say I loved 'Servant of the Shard' best, cause of all the intrigue and of course the best characters leading in the book: Entreri and Jarlaxle.

 

Jarlaxle being revealed as [snip] adds a whole new level to the intrigue of his character.

Agreeing with Spellbound, I think the Icewind Dale Trilogy was just fantastic. Now, I will admit it was faster paced and the things Drizzt gets away with are just insane...but that is what makes a character legendary, no? And this IS fantasy, after all.
Salvatore paints a great picture in his writings. He doesn't necessarily have as deep a plot as some other writers, but his characters are well fleshed-out. And no one I've read has a better talent for writing combat scenes.
Now, in no way am I condemning Tolkien, goodness no! He was one of the fathers of what we see as our modern fantasy fiction. Salvatore is simply one of his many "sons" that puts his own twist on what is important in a story and how the tales should be told.

[Massive spoiler removed. I hope I was the only one spoiled by it. ] -Tal

[ April 16, 2003, 20:08: Message edited by: Taluntain ]

 

QuickSilver you may want to delete that major spoiler that pretty much ruins the whole book

 

I saw somewhere in this topic that Tolkien's writing style is epic. I couldn't agree more. And that's the style I like. Salvatore's style is different. I like it too but not as much as Tolkien's. I believe that when Salvatore describes a battle he goes into MUCH details, which is boring(let alone the fact that I don't understand a thing(maybe the translator is to blame)), while Tolkien describes a battle in such a way that fascinates and impresses me. Moreover, I've read about fifteen Salvatore's books and MANY MANY other books (fantasy or not) but only Tolkien's books finally moved me. And tolkien made up his own world and languages and stuff while Salvatore made up only his characters and nothing else.
I'd give a 10 to Tolkien and a 7 to Salvatore.

Damn, now I want to read again The Lord of the Rings but I lend it to my friends. That's ok, Silmarillion will suffice.

[ April 20, 2003, 10:57: Message edited by: Alexander the Great ]