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Message: <blockquote data-quote="William Ronald" data-source="post: 2522090" data-attributes="member: 426">I suppose I can justify trying to catch up on the series.I last read book nine, but I did not pick up any of the more recent entries in the series.  I think that Jordan could have told his tale a bit more briefly, and with greater dramatic effect.Also, I found myself having a hard time to care much about many of the characters.  I do not expect perfect heroes.  Indeed, I prefer to have heroic characters to have their own flaws and doubts and to be fully realized characters..  However, I found that I cared more about Loial -- a minor character -- than many of the main characters.  It is one thing to have doubts. It is quite another to spend pages whining, mistreating one's allies, rehashing old debates, and my wondering if the heroes will begin to act decisively. (I wonder if some of Jordan's critics are calling the series The Wheel of Whine?)  Also, I have sometimes asked the same question about Rand that I asked myself about Elric -- if his power was any less, would he have the internal resources -- courage, insight -- to sucessfully deal with the challenges of his life. I think that a certain amount of self doubt can be important, particularly if it causes a character to change.  This can be seen in the First Chronicles of Thomas Covenant, where th e protagonist decides that it truly does not matter whether the Land is real or not, but that he has to take responsibility for his actions.  (All this is proceeded by an incident where Covenant initially refuses the summons to the Land to save a girl bitten by a rattlesnake in our world.  Only after saving her, does Covenant accept the summons to the Land. By the end of the series, Thomas Covenant is no longer the self-centered jerk from Lord Foul's Bane.  There is a sense of sorrow, redemption, and triumph at the end of the series -- both for a troubled protagonist and the Land.)  Sadly, all I have seen so far of Rand is someone who fights because he must, and does not seem to truly appreciate the people around him.  While Rand is capable of risking himself and sacrifice, there seems to be something lacking to me.  Perhaps it is his reluctance to turn to others for advice and support.In the great wars of our own world, even the most competent leaders sought the wisdom and help of their allies.  In World War II, Roosevelt and Churchill consulted with each other and their advisors.  Similarly, generals like Eisenhower relied on many people.  There have been times when I have felt that Rand was almost waging his personal war against the Dark One -- and forgetting that others are also fighting the same battle, and wish for the respect and support that he demands for himself.  Despite the exciting action, such as the battle at Dumar's Wells, I feel somewhat disappointed in both the length of the series, the development of the characters, and how many of the heroes treat each other.  Perhaps Robert Jordan will bring the series to a fitting conclusion.  I hope so.  However, I think he has shown the need of an author for a good editor and conciseness.  I want to like the series, as there is much to love about the world of the Wheel of Time.  I will give Jordan a chance, as he has had moments of greatness in his series.  I just wished that Jordan was more consistent.  It is one thing to have characters know regret.  It is quite another to have that regret be the main thing that comes to mind about those characters.</blockquote>

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