Robin Hobb: Recommendations

The Serge

First Post
I'm looking for a new fantasy author to read, and this name keeps popping up. I'd like some recommendations on Robin Hobb.

I'm attracted to two types of fantasy: epic fantasy (a la Jordan, Tolkien, Martin, and [Tad] Williams) and to dark fantasy (like Lovecraft and Caitlin Kiernan). I've heard that he's closer to the former than not.

Also, I see that he has at least two series completed. I'd like to start with his older work if the recommendations are good.

Thanks!
 

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DeBhaal

First Post
Robin Hobb is definitely a very good author, the Farseer trilogy is the first set of books, followed by the Liveship Traders trilogy, then the Tawny Man trilogy, the Tawny Man trilogy is a follow-up on the Farseer trilogy and is very well done.

I'm not sure how to describe the writing style, but it's not an upbeat sort of story, the main character of the farseer trilogy fights with depression through most of it. But I'd definitely recommend it.

I can't really say much about the Liveship traders, because I never finished the trilogy but the first book was really good, don't recall much from the second.

The Tawny Man trilogy though, is the best of the lot, even if I didn't really like he Farseer trilogy, I'd have to recommend you to read it first. The trilogy deals with the same main character and him getting pulled back into society to help those he loved, and finding things that makes him want to stay with society after he helps out.
 

PieAndDragon

Duncan T
Robin Hobb is female. Also writes as Megan Lindholm. Also biased as she is my favourite author.

If interested, start with Assassin's Trilogy, move on with Liveship Traders and finish with the fool's Trilogy. Can't recommend her books more.

Good characterisation, made me cry in several places, very enjoyable, got surprised several times, cursed at stupidity of main characters and had a really good read. What more do you want. Brings a different element to fantasy.

Cheers,

Duncan.
 

Particle_Man

Explorer
Author recorded as saying she "had sympathy for the Sam Gangees". So think of the main character of the Assassin/Tawny Man series as what would be the supporting character in a "Regular" fantasy series, if that makes sense.

Liveship series is different with multiple viewpoints (at least one of which is about as villainous as they get).
 

drothgery

First Post
You can do either Liveship Traders or Assasins first; there's almost no overlap between them. But read both before the Tawny Man trilogy. And do it; she gets a bit dark at times, but she's one of the most original writers out there.

I haven't started her new series yet (in a new world unrelated to the other three series), but that's only because I really prefer paperbacks, so when I can manage the self-discipline, I try to hold out for them.
 

damiynn

First Post
Robin Hobb,

I personally have only read the first three assassin series I loved the first two hated the last one, I couldnt tell you anymore than that but what i didnt like about the last one was that it ended almost without a conclusion sort of. She is an excellent writer though and a lot better than some out there
 

DeBhaal

First Post
damiynn said:
I personally have only read the first three assassin series I loved the first two hated the last one, I couldnt tell you anymore than that but what i didnt like about the last one was that it ended almost without a conclusion sort of. She is an excellent writer though and a lot better than some out there

I had the same problem with it, so I'd suggest reading te Tawny Man trilogy. If I recall correctly, while it doesn't take up right after the first trilogy, in fact its years later, it does a good job of taking over.
 

CCamfield

First Post
Man, if you want dark fantasy... not in terms of evil, but ... err... depressing? Then her early book Wizard of the Pigeons should be right up your alley.
 

Teemu

Hero
Start with the Farseer trilogy, definitely. Then move on to the Liveship Traders, and finally the Tawny Man books. That's the chronological order, i.e. events from the Farseer lead to Liveship Traders and from Liveship Traders to the Tawny Man. Although Tawny Man is the direct follow up to the Farseer, Liveship Traders is well connected, too (though you'll have to find out how ;)). It's important that you read the Farseer before the Tawny Man, even if you want to skip the Liveship Traders for some strange reason.

Robin Hobb is an excellent author. Her greatest strengths are originality and characterization; she definitely knows how to create real people. She also writes as Megan Lindholm but hasn't published anything under that name since the early 90's.
 

talinthas

First Post
I absolutely loved Farseer and Tawny Man, but couldnt get into Liveship at all. I read like the first 100 odd pages, and just put it down, cause i didnt give a crap about the characters or situations involved. The other two trilogies, otoh, are easily some of the best reading to be had in quite some time.
 

Kahuna Burger

First Post
The friend who put me onto the liveship trilogy once said that the problem with the books is that every fricking chapter should start with "and then things went terribly wrong". The books have some wonderful ideas and some interesting characters, but if you enjoy getting invested in a character, I think you should know that Hobb sometimes punishes this. In the liveship traders, one main character and one minor but sympathetic character are brutally raped, disbelieved or trivialized in followup, and the emotional fallout from one is resolved in a completely unsatisfying way. These are unrelated rapes, a third main character is coerced with the threat of rape and a fourth is raped "off camera" but at least gets to beat her assailents head into the floor later. If this isn't what you want to see happening to your point of veiw heroes, don't read Liveship.

The assassin books tend more towards torture and all the crap happens to a single point of veiw character, but there is still the "and then things went terribly wrong" sort of vibe. There were times when things seemed to be going wrong just for the sake of going wrong and to be honest it could get anoying at times. But again, interesting characters, fascinating ideas. Good narrative overall as well, and the main character does occasionally catch a break.

I would love to roleplay in Hobb's world, but not with her a DM. :confused:
 


CarlZog

Explorer
I liked Liveship Traders. It had some great ideas, but KB is right; Hobb doesn't pull punches with her lead characters.

If you're used to heroes escaping danger in the nick of time, it can be surprising and a little depressing to see her characters beat down by the world around them. Nor does she let them shrug off the effects of their troubles; they are mentally and emotionally scarred by it, and Hobb does really make you feel their pain. But then, I suppose that's the mark of a good writer.

Carl
 

Kahuna Burger

First Post
CarlZog said:
I liked Liveship Traders. It had some great ideas, but KB is right; Hobb doesn't pull punches with her lead characters.

If you're used to heroes escaping danger in the nick of time, it can be surprising and a little depressing to see her characters beat down by the world around them. Nor does she let them shrug off the effects of their troubles; they are mentally and emotionally scarred by it, and Hobb does really make you feel their pain. But then, I suppose that's the mark of a good writer.

Carl
making you feel is the mark of a good writer. What they choose to make you feel is the factor that defines who will and will not like a writer. ;)

I wouldn't say that she "doesn't pull punches". It is entirely her decision whether any punches will be thrown at particular characters in the first place. The way that things turn out in her books is no more realistic than any other fantasy story, its just her choice of what happens and how to focus on it. (On the latter decision, one could contrast how the reader is informedof the abuse of Ela with the near play by play of the virgin companion. Neither one was more realistic or better writing, both accomplished their story and characterisation goals equally well, but one detacted me from the story, in the end making me feel less, not more.)

I hope this doesn't sound argumentative, I agree Hobb is a good writer, but the abuse of her characters doesn't make her a better writer, just one who will have a more polarized apeal.
 

LightPhoenix

First Post
Hobb is one of my favorite authors with regards to humanization of characters. That is to say, not just making them interesting characters with interesting personalities, but making them seem human as well. So you do get invested in characters, and when bad things happen it really does bother you. Hell, they could be things that people you know go through - minus the fantasy, of course. As a result, I feel Hobb also does relationships really well too. And not all of that is depressing - the idea that friends and family do exist, and help with your problems, that are willing to accept you shortcomings - that, to me, is very uplifting.
 

I enjoyed the Assassin trilogy - is that the same as the Farseer trilogy?

However I prefered the Liveship Traders. This one started slowly and got more interesting, whereas with the Assassin trilogy it seemed to me that it started well and then got less interesting.

What I especially like is that I never have a clue where she is going with her story - its far from a standard fantasy series.
 

drothgery

First Post
amethal said:
I enjoyed the Assassin trilogy - is that the same as the Farseer trilogy?

Yup. The Farseer Trilogy is Assassin's Apprentice, Assassin's Quest, and Royal Assassin. The Tawny Man Trilogy is Fool's Errand, Golden Fool, and Fool's Fate.
 

JoeGKushner

First Post
I enjoyed all three series but the first one is the best.

The second one, the author made the character TOO unlikeable at first and you really have to warm up to them, but after you figure out that it's a poorly implemented deliberate writing action as opposed to just bad writing, it's not too bad.

The tie ins to the third trilogy from the second are okay, but should've been more solid.
 

CarlZog

Explorer
Kahuna Burger said:
making you feel is the mark of a good writer. What they choose to make you feel is the factor that defines who will and will not like a writer. ;)

....

I hope this doesn't sound argumentative, I agree Hobb is a good writer, but the abuse of her characters doesn't make her a better writer, just one who will have a more polarized apeal.

Yes, that is exactly what I meant.

Carl
 

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