“I like to deliver my philosophy at sword-point.” Terry Goodkind.
I was first introduced to Terry Goodkind, courtesy of Legend of the Seeker – his first two books serialized for TV. A handsome everyday hero, beautiful and oft-evil women, a quest, a sword, magic … need I say more?
For some inexplicable reason, despite solid ratings, the series lasted only two series. If you feel so moved by the injustice, you can join the Save The Seeker movement and show that there is a following for a third season.
I am in the middle of the second book and incredibly impressed with Terry Goodkind. He provides all the ingredients one would expect from a master of epic fantasy. In particular, his world building is so effortless and clear.
One warning: the books are far more gritty than the TV series. I’m not sure I would want my 14-year-old to read them, but having said that, some of the scenes that I am thinking of, are amazingly written. While I loved Legend of the Seeker, it is in no way a replacement for the books. I do wonder, however, having watched Game of Thrones, whether these gritty scenes could appear in a third series and whether this might propel Seeker to the same ratings as Game of Thrones.
I confess to being a fan of authors and so went looking for some interviews with Terry Goodkind. The third and fourth interviews provide a great insight to a very unique man. This is a very cool interview.
But it is the first two interviews that really excited me. Last week I made a suggestion that epic fantasy can be a vehicle for imparting social values. In his ‘Confessor’ interviews, Goodkind articulates a similar perspective – and like his books, he is quite inspirational.
Make yourself a cup of coffee, put your feet up, and have a great weekend.
Elfwriter.
‘Confessor’ interviews:
Words of Truth:
——————————————————————————————————
Alon Shalev is the author of At The Walls of Galbrieth, Book 1 of The Wyccan Master series, which reached the Quarter Finals of the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award 2012, released by Tourmaline Books. The First Decree, the sequel is due out in early 2013. Shalev is also the author of three social justice-themed novels: Unwanted Heroes, The Accidental Activist and A Gardener’s Tale. More on Alon Shalev at http://www.alonshalev.com and on Twitter (@elfwriter).
Elfwriter 
I loved the first six books of the Sword of Truth series, they were excellent and I was so excited for the next one. The thing that killed it for me is that by book seven (and his one stand alone novel that I read because I really wanted to give him one more chance) is that he tipped over the edge of metaphor into ‘I’m going to concentrate less on well written story telling that allows a reader to discern my world views within the context of a crafted story and just hit people over the head over and over again with what I believe’. I was very disappointed with what happened, because I wanted so very much to get through to the end of this tale that started off so promising and I just couldn’t do it.
I am hearing an increasing feeling that there is a limit to how long (how many books) a series can run.
Thanks for the comment.
I am in complete agreement. Goodkind trashed his own series by devolving it into an Ayn Randian treatise…. or something. His books became whittled down repetitive sermons for his real world philosophy. Although I suppose that’s his right, it was a real shame of a thing to do a really well thought out series, up to that point.
Legend of the Seeker is one of my favourite series and I was so disappointed when it finished
Reblogged this on Joshua Lisec.
Thanks for the reblog. Appreciate it.
Alon
[…] I shared a great talk by Terry Brooks on this blog and also Terry Goodkind. […]