Raymond Feist Redux

[threemonkeys]

A few posts back I was musing on the notion that originality is overrated. It was really about the fact that the mundane skill of competence isn't really regarded as highly as it should be by comparison. If a book has little that is original but it is extremely well executed, then it is still an object of some worth. Trying to write this bit about The Painted Man by Peter V Brett illustrates why the situation is going to remain tilted in the direction of originality. I mean, what the heck do you say about a book that is the first in a big fat fantasy series about people finding their power in the face of dread magics. Sure it is well executed and an entertainingly page turning read, but what else? I got nothing.

That is all.

Comments

[cat-i-th-adage.livejournal.com]

Well, what makes it well-executed?

Good pacing? Colourful, fascinating scenery? Lovable characters? More detail on those might be nice.

[threemonkeys.livejournal.com]

Thing is I was struggling on these too. Everything is well done - pacing, character, scenery, plot consistency - but nothing is outstanding or distinctive and equally important, nothing is really bad either*. Well unless you have an aversion to big fat fantasys that is.

Nothing is bad except for the map in the front which is pretty shoddy - but I didn't want to wind that Kirkpatrick fellow up by mentioning it.