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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31701 Posts |
 Posted - 03 Aug 2010 : 05:28:55
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Well met
This is a Book Club thread for Elminster Must Die (part of "The Sage of Shadowdale" saga), by Ed Greenwood. Please discuss chapters 11 - 15 herein.
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Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
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Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium -- Volume IX now available (Oct 2007)
"So Saith Ed" -- the collected Candlekeep replies of Ed Greenwood
Zhoth'ilam Folio -- The Electronic Misadventures of a Rambling Sage |
Edited by - The Sage on 03 Aug 2010 16:25:21
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Longtime Lurker
Seeker
51 Posts |
Posted - 12 Aug 2010 : 03:29:56
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Well, now that we can talk about this novel, I'm on my eighth readthrough. Like most books, I have key scenes that I'll love re-reading many more times in the future, and other stretches that I'll probably only revisit when I re-read the entire novel (which I'll do again when BURY ELMINSTER DEEP comes out, then again when the next one after that is released, and so on).
By this point in the book, I'd realized that the main villain (formerly of Westgate, and more famous/infamous for his rule of another city, before that) is just as insane as El and The Simbul.
The Simbul is drooling/raving/barking mad, El is shambling along lost in grim misery and bitter memories, and Ye Big Villain has fallen into that "purr all my plans triumphantly to myself, cackle cackle" megalomania.
Which is going to make some readers (and inevitably, the second-rate reviewers) unload on Ed for painting his villain this way.
Meaning they're missing the whole point, and the game he's playing here.
I wonder how sane STORM is? Or She who's revealed at the end of the book? And when we'll find out, as their masks slip?
By all the Realms I've ever loved, this is a GOOD book.
Ed demonstrates he's the best Realms writer, bar none. He's working at least two layers deeper in this novel than do Elaine and Erik, the runners-up.
Thank you, Ed. Superior fantasy fiction, which I don't see enough of, these days! |
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The Hooded One
Lady Herald of Realmslore
5056 Posts |
Posted - 12 Aug 2010 : 23:12:42
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I HOPED someone would see that the main villain's madness was what was making him talk aloud to himself all the time. His behaviour is based on the mannerisms of a real-life nutcase (unscrupulous Canadian businessman and multiple murderer) who constantly mused aloud, sardonically, about his schemes.
Thank you, LL. I'd already begun to get tired of online reviewers decrying the villain's characterisation as bad writing. For me, who knows the guy Ed was basing this on, he's eerily, chillingly "perfect."
Ed tells me to be patient, and see what happens in BURY ELMINSTER DEEP.
And I give him a "look," and murmur back: "Six book contract. So, nothing resolved swiftly, hmm?"
And he grins, shrugs, waves his hands helplessly . . . and winks.
Read into that what you will. 
love,
THO |
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Blueblade
Senior Scribe
USA
804 Posts |
Posted - 17 Aug 2010 : 16:02:07
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Interesting glimpses of "what nobles do" when we see Arclath spending early morning hours doing office work and giving the family factors and servants orders for the day; like a modern real-world CEO working on family enterprizes to get wealthier and wealthier.
A whole book of that might be boring, but I like to see hints and short looks at it; makes everything seem more real.
Nice work, Ed.
BB |
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Iluvrien
Acolyte
United Kingdom
49 Posts |
Posted - 21 Sep 2010 : 20:37:59
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I suspected that Amarune would be put on the path to Defenderdom but I never expected that she would be N's great great grandaughter... that amused me no end.
I, like Blueblade, was interested by the insight into the day-to-day running of the interests of one of the noble families, as shown by Arclath (who gorws increasingly interesting as a character).
I enjoyed the softening of Wzr Wizard Glartha in the face of long-denied food, a humanising touch!
These last 5 chanpters have contained somewhat less melancholy for me (not least because El and Storm are not being reminded of their Art based failings all of the time).
Chapter 16 Ahoy! |
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Dennis
Great Reader
9933 Posts |
Posted - 26 Nov 2010 : 02:26:03
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And my boredom persists... |
Every beginning has an end. |
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Dennis
Great Reader
9933 Posts |
Posted - 26 Nov 2010 : 02:27:41
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quote:
Originally posted by The Hooded One
I HOPED someone would see that the main villain's madness was what was making him talk aloud to himself all the time. His behaviour is based on the mannerisms of a real-life nutcase (unscrupulous Canadian businessman and multiple murderer) who constantly mused aloud, sardonically, about his schemes.
Then I'd rather see the cockroach sane. Mayhap he'd be less irritating that way. |
Every beginning has an end. |
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Blueblade
Senior Scribe
USA
804 Posts |
Posted - 05 Aug 2012 : 19:37:34
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And my reread continues. I'd forgotten just how refreshingly aggressive Glathra was. Reminds me of several profs I had in university. A real hatchet, cleaving her way through life . . . though of course Ed is showing us her other sides, too, briefly and subtly. Great literature? No. Great reading? Very much so. Worth re-reading every so often.
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Elminster Must Die -- Chapters 11 - 15
