From: Steve Harris Subject: (glencook-fans) Re: any mail in the past week? Date: 03 Oct 2003 16:14:18 -0500 Hi, Has there been any mail the past week? I wonder if my mail feed is still blocked. Steve ======================================================================= To unsubscribe, subscribe, or access the archives of this list, visit . ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Steve Chew Subject: Re: (glencook-fans) Re: any mail in the past week? Date: 03 Oct 2003 18:24:10 -0400 > >Has there been any mail the past week? I wonder if my mail feed is >still blocked. > Last one that I got was from Sept. 26th. Steve -- Steve Chew - schew@interzone.com - http://www.interzone.com "Living on Earth is expensive, but it does include a free trip around the sun." ======================================================================= To unsubscribe, subscribe, or access the archives of this list, visit . ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Lee Childs Subject: (glencook-fans) Archon Date: 03 Oct 2003 20:10:27 -0700 (GMT-07:00) Will anyone be attending Archon 27 in Collinsvill, TN, or Icon 28 in Cedar Rapids, IA? Glen Cook is mentioned a guest at these events and it would be great to learn what he is up to. Lee Childs ======================================================================= To unsubscribe, subscribe, or access the archives of this list, visit . ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: rjh Subject: Re: (glencook-fans) plot theories Date: 04 Oct 2003 03:17:55 -0300 I realize I'm replying to an old email - but I've been having a few computer problems recently... David Ainsworth wrote: > > We also find out that the Dominator had several rather subtle plots running > in order to free himself. Without the intervention of the Company, the > whole Castle seed plot might well have worked for him. > > Perhaps all we really know is that Lady was much better at tricking the > Dominator than he was at tricking her... It might also depend on the personality. People generally have a favorite tool, and with the Dominate it was pure power, From _Dreams of Steal_ Pg 291 Will, Lady. The Will will reign triumphant. My husband had said that often, confident that nothing could resist his will. He had believed that right up to the moment I killed him. He had a tool he knew was unbeatable. It took a magic null, airwhale, and the combined powers of just about everyone of note in the Lady's Empire to stop his Will. Why bother to develop your skills when raw force is enough? Why bother using your skills when your preferred tool almost always works. He wasn't into tools either. On Pg 225 of _Dreams of Steal_ Howler "...was impressed by the array of mystical and thaumaturgic gewgaws Longshadow had assembled during one short generation. Such had remained scarce while they had been in thrall to the Lady and nonexistent under the rule of her husband before her. They had wanted no one getting independent." The Dominator used raw power and he was the best there was with it - so no one was going to go off and make a device that could give someone a leg up in a fight. I see the Dominator as a martial artist with 350 lbs of pure muscle - yes, he knows how to apply the force to break something, but he can also break most things with just his normal strength so he lets himself get sloppy. Just look at his plan to survive being beaten by the While Rose - the Black Castle. Lots of thought and power had to go into planning that escape but he didn't pay attention to details. He placed it near the ends of the Earth to make sure that no one would discover it before he escaped and regained his power - but he didn't bother checking on the local culture and their wierd (in that world) fascination with bodies. If he had just paid attention the details he would have been active before Bomanz did his bit and he would have had a chance to decide if he really wanted his followers active... He would have probably freed his slaves (the Taken) but that girl who he couldn't take... Just a bit of speculation... Richard ======================================================================= To unsubscribe, subscribe, or access the archives of this list, visit . ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: rjh Subject: Re: (glencook-fans) plot theories Date: 04 Oct 2003 03:48:18 -0300 --------------628E9679BB2E0C436A851785 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit I realize I'm replying to an old email - but I've been having a few computer problems recently... BaronetCorvu@cs.com wrote: > But everyone seems to be forgetting that while Soulcatcher discovered > that Moonshadow was not a member of the Taken, she DID recognize him. > She knew who he was. Um... Maybe I missed something, but in _Dreams of Steal_ Pg 12 Soulcatcher says: ..."This isn't one of the Taken!" when the man's mask came off. The crows became raucous. Discussing? Arguing? The leader asked, "Who are you? What are you? Where did you come from?" From that I don't think she recognized him. From the above, I don't think he came from the north at all. With just the 'who' he might have been a member of the Circle of 18 but the 'what' and 'where' tends to rule this out. Soulcatcher might not have know the members of the Circle (who died a lot easier than the Taken) but she would have almost certainly recognized the origins of any northern sorcerer. Looking at Moonshadow she didn't know what kind of magic he used or where he came from. While it's interesting to debate who was with Longshadow when he opened the gate, we'll never know unless Cook writes about it. How can I say this with certainty? Because of Cook's answer when he was asked about who the third female Taken was. He didn't know. Cook doesn't develop his world and then put his characters into it - he tells a story and invents a world to fit the story. If something isn't needed for the story (or series) then it isn't developed. He didn't need a list of everyone at the gate opening so didn't write it and probably didn't decide who was there. If he ever retells the opening of the gate he'll probably check his notes and old novels then come up with something that fits. It's a style of writing that can work but plays hell with fans who are nitpickers and want details that aren't in the books. Richard --------------628E9679BB2E0C436A851785 Content-Type: text/html; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit I realize I'm replying to an old email - but I've been having a few computer problems recently...

BaronetCorvu@cs.com wrote:

But everyone seems to be forgetting that while Soulcatcher discovered that Moonshadow was not a member of the Taken, she DID recognize him. She knew who he was.


Um... Maybe I missed something, but in _Dreams of Steal_ Pg 12 Soulcatcher says:
..."This isn't one of the Taken!" when the man's mask came off.
    The crows became raucous.  Discussing? Arguing? The leader asked, "Who are you? What are you? Where did you come from?"

From that I don't think she recognized him.  From the above, I don't think he came from the north at all.  With just the 'who' he might have been a member of the Circle of 18 but the 'what' and 'where' tends to rule this out.  Soulcatcher might not have know the members of the Circle (who died a lot easier than the Taken) but she would have almost certainly recognized the origins of any northern sorcerer.  Looking at Moonshadow she didn't know what kind of magic he used or where he came from.

While it's interesting to debate who was with Longshadow when he opened the gate, we'll never know unless Cook writes about it.  How can I say this with certainty? Because of Cook's answer when he was asked about who the third female Taken was.
He didn't know.

Cook doesn't develop his world and then put his characters into it - he tells a story and invents a world to fit the story.  If something isn't needed for the story (or series) then it isn't developed.  He didn't need a list of everyone at the gate opening so didn't write it and probably didn't decide who was there.  If he ever retells the opening of the gate he'll probably check his notes and old novels then come up with something that fits.

It's a style of writing that can work but plays hell with fans who are nitpickers and want details that aren't in the books.

Richard --------------628E9679BB2E0C436A851785-- ======================================================================= To unsubscribe, subscribe, or access the archives of this list, visit . ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Morgan DragonStar Subject: (glencook-fans) Hi, new here... Date: 14 Oct 2003 13:57:12 -0700 (PDT) And wondering... ANy info on a new Garrett book? too many cliff hangers in the last one... thanks Morgan ===== "you're so mean" he said. "I am. But's in the job description, so come on people!" Cap replied __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? The New Yahoo! Shopping - with improved product search http://shopping.yahoo.com ======================================================================= To unsubscribe, subscribe, or access the archives of this list, visit . ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Steve Harris Subject: Re: (glencook-fans) Hi, new here... Date: 14 Oct 2003 17:44:31 -0500 Speaking of Garrett books... I only recently got into Garrett, and I got all of them this summer (save for "Quicksilver", which I can't seem to find). And I really liked them--except for the last one. Is that a common judgement? Steve ======================================================================= To unsubscribe, subscribe, or access the archives of this list, visit . ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Morgan DragonStar Subject: Re: (glencook-fans) Hi, new here... Date: 14 Oct 2003 17:19:56 -0700 (PDT) --- Steve Harris wrote: > Speaking of Garrett books... > > I only recently got into Garrett, and I got all of > them this summer > (save for "Quicksilver", which I can't seem to > find). And I really > liked them--except for the last one. Is that a > common judgement? Steve: That's why I'm looking for the next one.... 1) except for the upcoming birthday party, and a certain lawyer wanting to talk to Garrett before the party, things are going much too nicely for my favorite P.I. I remember Garrett from before he moved in with the Dead Man. He's never had it this good before. Something is going to drop hard. And I'm waiting.... I did a search on Glen and found one his publishers selling his books in paperback online... Good Luck finding QuickSilver.... Morgan the new guy ===== "you're so mean" he said. "I am. But's in the job description, so come on people!" Cap replied __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? The New Yahoo! Shopping - with improved product search http://shopping.yahoo.com ======================================================================= To unsubscribe, subscribe, or access the archives of this list, visit . ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: "MDScholl. CMGagnon" Subject: Re: (glencook-fans) Hi, new here... Date: 15 Oct 2003 08:57:24 -0400 Steve Harris wrote: > Speaking of Garrett books... > > I only recently got into Garrett, and I got all of them this summer > (save for "Quicksilver", which I can't seem to find). And I really > liked them--except for the last one. Is that a common judgement? > > Steve > Steve, For a copy of Quicksilver Lies try http://www.bookfinder.com/. Sometimes things are ridiculously priced, but you can still find bargains. Michael ======================================================================= To unsubscribe, subscribe, or access the archives of this list, visit . ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: patnellie@msn.com Subject: Re: (glencook-fans) Hi, new here... Date: 15 Oct 2003 22:05:26 -0700 ------=_NextPart_001_0000_01C39368.70597AA0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable No, I've enjoyed them all, more than I enjoyed the last of the Black Comp= any Books. Pat ----- Original Message ----- Wrom: SHJEXXIMQZUIVOTQNQ Sent: Wednesday, October 15, 2003 7:37 AM =20 Steve Harris wrote: > Speaking of Garrett books... > =20 > I only recently got into Garrett, and I got all of them this summer > (save for "Quicksilver", which I can't seem to find). And I really > liked them--except for the last one. Is that a common judgement? > =20 > Steve > =20 Steve, For a copy of Quicksilver Lies try http://www.bookfinder.com/. =20 Sometimes things are ridiculously priced, but you can still find bargains= . Michael =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D= =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D= =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D To unsubscribe, subscribe, or access the archives of this list, visit . ------=_NextPart_001_0000_01C39368.70597AA0 Content-Type: text/html; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

No, I've = enjoyed them all, more than I enjoyed the last of the Black Company Books= .
 
 
Pat
 
----- Original Message -----
From: MDScholl. CMGagnon
Sent: Wednesday, October 15, 2003 7:37 AM
=
To: glencook-fans@lists.xmission.= com
Subject: Re: (glencook-f= ans) Hi, new here...
 
Steve Harris wrote:
> S= peaking of Garrett books...
>
> I only recently got into Gar= rett, and I got all of them this summer
> (save for "Quicksilver", = which I can't seem to find).  And I really
> liked them--excep= t for the last one.  Is that a common judgement?
>
> St= eve
>

Steve,

For a copy of Quicksilver Lies try http= ://www.bookfinder.com/.
Sometimes things are ridiculously priced, but= you can still find bargains.

Michael


=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D= =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D= =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D= =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D
To unsubscribe, subscrib= e, or access the archives of this list,
visit <http://www.xmission.= com/~shpshftr/GC/GC-Mail.html>.
------=_NextPart_001_0000_01C39368.70597AA0-- ======================================================================= To unsubscribe, subscribe, or access the archives of this list, visit . ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Steve Harris Subject: Re: (glencook-fans) Hi, new here... Date: 16 Oct 2003 01:13:47 -0500 Pat, "No, I've enjoyed them all, more than I enjoyed the last of the Black Company Books." And here I took "Soldiers Live" to be the most sublime of all his books. Not in the same mold as the rest of the Black Company books, but breaking the frame and surpassing the rest of the series. Ah, well; different tastes. Steve ======================================================================= To unsubscribe, subscribe, or access the archives of this list, visit . ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: "Ray Washburn" Subject: Re: (glencook-fans) Hi, new here... Date: 16 Oct 2003 11:35:48 -0500 Over the past few years I've not been as happy with Glen's works. The Garrett series was his last bastion and even that seemed to fail with the latest release. Passage to Arms, Dragon Never Sleeps and the first four Black Company books are all hard acts to follow....but so much of late has felt like he was either coasting, writing at the behest of his editor, or going through an exercise in self indulgence... Realizing that tastes are fickle.... I'd like to ask those of you that truly enjoyed Water Sleeps and Soldiers Live what about these books makes you feel that they were improvements over the initial series? (sorry for the sloppy email....writing while trying to scarf down a quick lunch between clients) Ray ----- Original Message ----- Sent: Thursday, October 16, 2003 1:13 AM > Pat, > > "No, I've enjoyed them all, more than I enjoyed the last of the Black > Company Books." > > And here I took "Soldiers Live" to be the most sublime of all his books. > Not in the same mold as the rest of the Black Company books, but > breaking the frame and surpassing the rest of the series. > > Ah, well; different tastes. > > Steve > > ======================================================================= > To unsubscribe, subscribe, or access the archives of this list, > visit . ======================================================================= To unsubscribe, subscribe, or access the archives of this list, visit . ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Richard Chilton Subject: Re: (glencook-fans) Hi, new here... Spoilers Date: 16 Oct 2003 14:54:01 -0300 Not that many spoilers, but a few. Steve Harris wrote: > > Speaking of Garrett books... > > I only recently got into Garrett, and I got all of them this summer > (save for "Quicksilver", which I can't seem to find). And I really > liked them--except for the last one. Is that a common judgement? > You might want to read the list achieves from the time that book came out. A quick look in my sent message folder came up with the date 4 / 28/ 2002 - try the archives around then. If memory serves ... Some people liked it, some didn't. . . . . . . . . . . . . . I saw it as a "let's clean up a few loose ends and reposition the series" type of book. Something the series needed but that didn't stand well on its own. Looking at the series we start with a guy renting a room acting as the city's only P.I. and each book gives Garrett some rewards. In the last book Garrett is moving with the movers and shakers, rich, has lots of powerful friends, and doesn't really need much except stability in the city. That's a big jump in the power level of the setting. Garrett has also developed what look like PSI powers - was it the contact with the visitors that did it, or was it something he had all along (explaining his fantastic luck with women)? Richard ======================================================================= To unsubscribe, subscribe, or access the archives of this list, visit . ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Igor Filippov Subject: Re: (glencook-fans) Hi, new here... Date: 16 Oct 2003 14:16:24 -0400 (EDT) I guess I'm one of those who truly enjoyed Water Sleeps and Soldiers Live. I don't know if one could put a label "improvement" on the later books, it doesn't seem quite possible to judge them in such a one-dimensional scale. They are different books, different in style - which is as it should be, since it reflects different narrators, or the same narrator but much older and I wouldn't necessarily place any of them in "better" or "worse" category - I find later books to be as captivating as the first one. To me, Sleepy's intricate spy games have been as interesting as romantic mysteries of the beginning of the series. If anything, I would say that the middle of the series is a little less than on par with the beginning and the end - I'm talking about "Dreams of Steel". Regards, Igor On Thu, 16 Oct 2003, Ray Washburn wrote: > Over the past few years I've not been as happy with Glen's works. The > Garrett series was his last bastion and even that seemed to fail with the > latest release. Passage to Arms, Dragon Never Sleeps and the first four > Black Company books are all hard acts to follow....but so much of late has > felt like he was either coasting, writing at the behest of his editor, or > going through an exercise in self indulgence... > > Realizing that tastes are fickle.... I'd like to ask those of you that > truly enjoyed Water Sleeps and Soldiers Live what about these books makes > you feel that they were improvements over the initial series? > > (sorry for the sloppy email....writing while trying to scarf down a quick > lunch between clients) > > Ray > > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Steve Harris" > To: > Sent: Thursday, October 16, 2003 1:13 AM > Subject: Re: (glencook-fans) Hi, new here... > > > > Pat, > > > > "No, I've enjoyed them all, more than I enjoyed the last of the Black > > Company Books." > > > > And here I took "Soldiers Live" to be the most sublime of all his books. > > Not in the same mold as the rest of the Black Company books, but > > breaking the frame and surpassing the rest of the series. > > > > Ah, well; different tastes. > > > > Steve > > > > ======================================================================= > > To unsubscribe, subscribe, or access the archives of this list, > > visit . > > > ======================================================================= > To unsubscribe, subscribe, or access the archives of this list, > visit . > ======================================================================= To unsubscribe, subscribe, or access the archives of this list, visit . ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Richard Chilton Subject: Re: (glencook-fans) Hi, new here... Date: 16 Oct 2003 15:37:33 -0300 One big change in Cook's work is how it's written. Before he retired he used to write the books in his head during his commute to and from work then type up the pages when he got home. Now not only is he retired, but he's using a word processor. When writers switch to wordprocessors there's usually a change in their work (or at least that's what I've noticed). They've gone from a "Think before you type because changing things is a pain" mindset to a "cut, paste, delete" one. From what I've read most authors saw their page counts rise after the conversion. Richard Ray Washburn wrote: > > Over the past few years I've not been as happy with Glen's works. The > Garrett series was his last bastion and even that seemed to fail with the > latest release. Passage to Arms, Dragon Never Sleeps and the first four > Black Company books are all hard acts to follow....but so much of late has > felt like he was either coasting, writing at the behest of his editor, or > going through an exercise in self indulgence... > > Realizing that tastes are fickle.... I'd like to ask those of you that > truly enjoyed Water Sleeps and Soldiers Live what about these books makes > you feel that they were improvements over the initial series? > > (sorry for the sloppy email....writing while trying to scarf down a quick > lunch between clients) > > Ray > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Steve Harris" > To: > Sent: Thursday, October 16, 2003 1:13 AM > Subject: Re: (glencook-fans) Hi, new here... > > > Pat, > > > > "No, I've enjoyed them all, more than I enjoyed the last of the Black > > Company Books." > > > > And here I took "Soldiers Live" to be the most sublime of all his books. > > Not in the same mold as the rest of the Black Company books, but > > breaking the frame and surpassing the rest of the series. > > > > Ah, well; different tastes. > > > > Steve > > > > ======================================================================= > > To unsubscribe, subscribe, or access the archives of this list, > > visit . > > ======================================================================= > To unsubscribe, subscribe, or access the archives of this list, > visit . ======================================================================= To unsubscribe, subscribe, or access the archives of this list, visit . ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Steve Chew Subject: Re: (glencook-fans) Last BC books Date: 16 Oct 2003 14:52:44 -0400 > >Realizing that tastes are fickle.... I'd like to ask those of you that >truly enjoyed Water Sleeps and Soldiers Live what about these books makes >you feel that they were improvements over the initial series? > I don't know about "improvement" over the initial trilogy, but for me they rank up there with it. Without going back and rereading those books I don't think that I could explain the exact reasons why I feel that way. However, I can say that I had much of the same "I can't stop reading this" feeling when reading Water Sleeps and Soldiers Live. I think that Cook got back to a style that was similar to that in the original trilogy where things were unpredictable and exciting. Death was right around the corner and the outcome was not sure. That said, the first couple Glittering Stones books left me cold. I had a hard time getting through "Bleak Seasons," especially as it was supposed to be a sequel to the cliffhanger in "Dreams of Steel." "She is the Darkness" was a bit better but didn't live up to the earlier books. I think that one of the big problems in those two books was the omniscient viewpoint provided by Murgen and that wizard. It took away a lot of the tension and instead of involving the characters (and reader) in the action we observed it from above. Cook eliminated much of that in the last two books which was a wise move, imho. Steve ======================================================================= To unsubscribe, subscribe, or access the archives of this list, visit . ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Derrill 'Kisc' Guilbert Subject: Re: (glencook-fans) Hi, new here... Date: 16 Oct 2003 13:05:19 -0700 I never thought they were improvements, so much. I certainly felt that the books of the south etc were different, but not that they were better or worse. I have enjoyed all of them a great deal. I don't know as much about Mr. Cook as I do about my favorite author, David Drake, so let me use him as an example or something. Mr. Drake used to write some truly horrific stories of military mayhem. I believe he is still capable of doing so, but if you read some of the things on his website, and some of his "author's notes" included with some of his books, you can go back through and watch the progression that he talks about on his website and in his author's notes. Something seems to have been resolved within Mr. Drake's soul with the writing of Redliners (I point to that because that is where he points to), and you can often see the difference in books that he wrote before Redliners and books that he wrote after. As I say, I don't know much of anything about Mr. Cook, but I wouldn't be surprised to learn that he isn't the same person as he was 20 years ago. Who you are affects what you write. Will Smith once said of his Fresh Prince of Bel Air character "It is getting harder and harder to find that guy inside of me. I've changed since the show started." Mr. Drake's comments regarding his book Redliners seems to be a similar statement, and I would suggest that Mr. Cook has been through something similar, if only the wearing of time. That is really the impression I took away from his latter works, that he has changed, his outlook on life has changed, his focus as to what is important in his life has changed, something has changed for him, and that is reflected in his writing. I would have loved it if [my favorite band] had continued to play the same music for the entire run of their career, but then they would be AC/DC... For more thoughts on this topic, see also Robert Aspirin and his Myth books. Same story. No matter how much an author wants to continue to write in a universe or a style, whether because he enjoys that place or because he enjoys making US happy, there may come a time when said author has to move on. Kisc Ray Washburn wrote: > Over the past few years I've not been as happy with Glen's works. The > Garrett series was his last bastion and even that seemed to fail with the > latest release. Passage to Arms, Dragon Never Sleeps and the first four > Black Company books are all hard acts to follow....but so much of late has > felt like he was either coasting, writing at the behest of his editor, or > going through an exercise in self indulgence... > > Realizing that tastes are fickle.... I'd like to ask those of you that > truly enjoyed Water Sleeps and Soldiers Live what about these books makes > you feel that they were improvements over the initial series? > > (sorry for the sloppy email....writing while trying to scarf down a quick > lunch between clients) > > Ray > > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Steve Harris" > To: > Sent: Thursday, October 16, 2003 1:13 AM > Subject: Re: (glencook-fans) Hi, new here... > > > >>Pat, >> >>"No, I've enjoyed them all, more than I enjoyed the last of the Black >>Company Books." >> >>And here I took "Soldiers Live" to be the most sublime of all his books. >> Not in the same mold as the rest of the Black Company books, but >>breaking the frame and surpassing the rest of the series. >> >>Ah, well; different tastes. >> >>Steve >> >>======================================================================= >> To unsubscribe, subscribe, or access the archives of this list, >> visit . > > > > ======================================================================= > To unsubscribe, subscribe, or access the archives of this list, > visit . > > ======================================================================= To unsubscribe, subscribe, or access the archives of this list, visit . ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: patnellie@msn.com Subject: Re: (glencook-fans) Hi, new here... Date: 16 Oct 2003 15:41:06 -0700 ------=_NextPart_001_0000_01C393FB.E99D9980 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Ok, here's the problem with the "new" black company books. they treat dea= th as a "oh and so and so died". I mean, my gods, half the old company gone = in =20 the first chapter? =20 Lets face it, he couldn't come up with better villians than the Taken and= the Lady. Or Anti Hero's like Croaker, Raven, Silent, Goblin and One-Eye. I even li= ked Bozman, The Bartender in Juniper, The big dumb City/Catacombs Guard. =20 Garrett on the other hand, has grown up and outwards getting ready for a = major humbling. I'm waiting for the wedding ring to find him and the loss of hi= s ability to do things, without sweating the "family" angle. I truly think that he'= s past the "It's all for me" stage and looking at what effects all the things around= him. Just my ".02" coppers worth. Pat =20 =20 ----- Original Message ----- Wrom: SKVFVWRKJVZCM Sent: Thursday, October 16, 2003 12:29 PM =20 I guess I'm one of those who truly enjoyed Water Sleeps and Soldiers Live. I don't know if one could put a label "improvement" on the later books, it doesn't seem quite possible to judge them in such a one-dimensional scale. They are different books, different in style - which is as it should be, since it reflects different narrators, or the same narrator but much older and I wouldn't necessarily place any of them in "better" o= r "worse" category - I find later books to be as captivating as the first one. To me, Sleepy's intricate spy games have been as interesting as romantic mysteries of the beginning of the series. If anything, I would say that the middle of the series is a little less than on par with the beginning and the end - I'm talking about "Dreams of Steel". Regards, Igor On Thu, 16 Oct 2003, Ray Washburn wrote: > Over the past few years I've not been as happy with Glen's works. The > Garrett series was his last bastion and even that seemed to fail with t= he > latest release. Passage to Arms, Dragon Never Sleeps and the first fou= r > Black Company books are all hard acts to follow....but so much of late = has > felt like he was either coasting, writing at the behest of his editor, = or > going through an exercise in self indulgence... > > Realizing that tastes are fickle.... I'd like to ask those of you that > truly enjoyed Water Sleeps and Soldiers Live what about these books mak= es > you feel that they were improvements over the initial series? > > (sorry for the sloppy email....writing while trying to scarf down a qui= ck > lunch between clients) > > Ray > > > ----- Original Message ----- > Wrom: HVIBGDADRZFSQHYUCDDJBLVLMHAALPTCX > To: > Sent: Thursday, October 16, 2003 1:13 AM > Subject: Re: (glencook-fans) Hi, new here... > > > > Pat, > > > > "No, I've enjoyed them all, more than I enjoyed the last of the Black > > Company Books." > > > > And here I took "Soldiers Live" to be the most sublime of all his boo= ks. > > Not in the same mold as the rest of the Black Company books, but > > breaking the frame and surpassing the rest of the series. > > > > Ah, well; different tastes. > > > > Steve > > > > =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D= =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D= =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D > > To unsubscribe, subscribe, or access the archives of this list, > > visit . > > > =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D= =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D= =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D > To unsubscribe, subscribe, or access the archives of this list, > visit . > =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D= =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D= =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D To unsubscribe, subscribe, or access the archives of this list, visit . ------=_NextPart_001_0000_01C393FB.E99D9980 Content-Type: text/html; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
Ok, here's the= problem with the "new" black company books. they treat death
=
as a "oh and so and so died". I mean, my gods, half the old company = gone in
the first chapter?  
 
Lets face it, he couldn't come up with better villians than t= he Taken and the Lady.
Or Anti Hero's like Croaker, Raven, Sil= ent, Goblin and One-Eye. I even liked Bozman,
The Bartender in= Juniper, The big dumb City/Catacombs Guard.
 
Garrett on the other hand, has grown up and outwards getting ready for = a major
humbling. I'm waiting for the wedding ring to find him= and the loss of his ability
to do things, without sweating th= e "family" angle. I truly think that he's past the
"It's all f= or me" stage and looking at what effects all the things around him.
=
 
Just my ".02" coppers worth.
 
Pat
 
 
----= - Original Message -----
From: Igor Filippov
Sent: Thursday, October 16, 2003 12:29 PM
<= DIV style=3D"FONT: 10pt Arial">To: glencook-fans@lists.xmission.co= m
Subject: Re: (glencook-fan= s) Hi, new here...
 
I guess I'm one of those who tr= uly enjoyed Water Sleeps and Soldiers
Live.
I don't know if one cou= ld put a label "improvement" on the later books,
it doesn't seem quite= possible to judge them in such a one-dimensional
scale. They are diff= erent books, different in style - which is as it
should be, since it r= eflects different narrators, or the same narrator
but much older and I= wouldn't necessarily place any of them in "better" or
"worse" categor= y - I find later books to be as captivating as the first
one. To me, S= leepy's intricate spy games have been as interesting as
romantic myste= ries of the beginning of the series. If anything, I would
say that the= middle of the series is a little less than on par with the
beginning = and the end - I'm talking about "Dreams of Steel".

Regards,
Igo= r




On Thu, 16 Oct 2003, Ray Washburn wrote:

>= Over the past few years I've not been as happy with Glen's works.  = The
> Garrett series was his last bastion and even that seemed to f= ail with the
> latest release.  Passage to Arms, Dragon Never = Sleeps and the first four
> Black Company books are all hard acts t= o follow....but so much of late has
> felt like he was either coast= ing, writing at the behest of his editor, or
> going through an exe= rcise in self indulgence...
>
> Realizing that tastes are fic= kle....  I'd like to ask those of you that
> truly enjoyed Wat= er Sleeps and Soldiers Live what about these books makes
> you feel= that they were improvements over the initial series?
>
> (so= rry for the sloppy email....writing while trying to scarf down a quick> lunch between clients)
>
> Ray
>
>
> = ----- Original Message -----
> Wrom: LYRWTQTIPWIGYOKSTTZRCLBDXRQBGJS u.edu>
> To: <glencook-fans@lists.xmission.com>
> Se= nt: Thursday, October 16, 2003 1:13 AM
> Subject: Re: (glencook-fan= s) Hi, new here...
>
>
> > Pat,
> >
>= > "No, I've enjoyed them all, more than I enjoyed the last of the Bla= ck
> > Company Books."
> >
> > And here I took= "Soldiers Live" to be the most sublime of all his books.
> >&nb= sp; Not in the same mold as the rest of the Black Company books, but
&= gt; > breaking the frame and surpassing the rest of the series.
>= ; >
> > Ah, well; different tastes.
> >
> >= Steve
> >
> > =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D= =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D= =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D= =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D
> >  To unsubscribe, subscribe, or ac= cess the archives of this list,
> >  visit <http://www.x= mission.com/~shpshftr/GC/GC-Mail.html>.
>
>
> =3D=3D= =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D= =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D= =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D
>  T= o unsubscribe, subscribe, or access the archives of this list,
>&nb= sp; visit <http://www.xmission.com/~shpshftr/GC/GC-Mail.html>.
&= gt;

=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D= =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D= =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=
To unsubscribe, subscribe, or access the archives of this list,
vi= sit <http://www.xmission.com/~shpshftr/GC/GC-Mail.html>.
------=_NextPart_001_0000_01C393FB.E99D9980-- ======================================================================= To unsubscribe, subscribe, or access the archives of this list, visit . ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Lee Childs Subject: (glencook-fans) Last BC Books Date: 16 Oct 2003 20:26:25 -0700 (GMT-07:00) I also enjoyed the last couple of books. The spy games were fun in Water Sleeps. I enjoyed Sleepy's character and Mogaba's character had gained in complexity and was starting to become more noble. I really enjoyed Soldiers Live. A lot of plot lines wrapped up. There were some unexpected twists. Several personal favorites died, including the Howler, Daughter of Night, and an odd end to Soulcatcher. There was some dramatic irony in Sleepy's death. There was a sense of poetic justice in watching the Prahbrindrah Drah and his sister, the Radisha Drah lose their chance at the throne and who replaced them. I also felt that Bleak Seasons was the series low point. I enjoyed the seige of Dejagore. However, the sub plot of Murgen jumping back and forth between his future in Taglios and his past to Dejagore was hard to follow. And then there were the names! Sarie was also Sahra or Ky Sahra. Her brother, Thai Dei, should have been something like Ky Dei. How would I know that this was her brother? Mother Gota AKA Ky Gota. Sarie's mother, Hong Tray. That was quite a lag between Bleak Seasons and the book before this. I remember thinking that I was drowning when I read this. Lee Childs ======================================================================= To unsubscribe, subscribe, or access the archives of this list, visit . ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Troy & Sue Lefman Subject: Re: (glencook-fans) Hi, new here... Date: 19 Oct 2003 15:05:13 -0500 I can typically double my output from paper or thought to computer. However I can write one page on paper and have it equal half a typed page. Richard Chilton wrote: >One big change in Cook's work is how it's written. Before he retired he >used to write the books in his head during his commute to and from work >then type up the pages when he got home. >Now not only is he retired, but he's using a word processor. > >When writers switch to wordprocessors there's usually a change in their >work (or at least that's what I've noticed). They've gone from a "Think >before you type because changing things is a pain" mindset to a "cut, >paste, delete" one. From what I've read most authors saw their page >counts rise after the conversion. > >Richard > > >======================================================================= > To unsubscribe, subscribe, or access the archives of this list, > visit . > > > ======================================================================= To unsubscribe, subscribe, or access the archives of this list, visit . ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Steve Harris Subject: Re: (glencook-fans) Last BC books Date: 19 Oct 2003 19:17:58 -0500 Steve, I think you nailed it exactly: "one of the big problems in those two books was the omniscient viewpoint provided by Murgen and that wizard. It took away a lot of the tension and instead of involving the characters (and reader) in the action we observed it from above." That was a tactical error on the author's part, I think; it made it too easy to set everything down, at the expense of leaving the reader wondering. And I also agree on the can't-put-it-down nature of the last two BC books. Further, "Soldiers Live" has the feel for me of a leave-taking and of leaving the reader more in possession of the author's intent of the moral purpose of the whole long tale. As I have obsevered in the past: The real hero of the Black Company books is The Company. Individuals come on stage, do their part in pulling the Company along, die, and others take their place. This makes for a strange sort of tale-telling, and yet it has its strong satisfactions. But the individual soldier in the tale: His or her own life is as important to that soldier as mine is to me or yours to you. They have a deadly uncertain career, which they pursue for lack of another or for the rewards of camraderie. But it hurts when they lose their comrades and they learn more of their own mortality. Soldiers live--and wonder why. Steve ======================================================================= To unsubscribe, subscribe, or access the archives of this list, visit . ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Richard Chilton Subject: Re: (glencook-fans) Last BC books Date: 19 Oct 2003 21:52:20 -0300 Steve Harris wrote: > > Steve, > > I think you nailed it exactly: > > "one of the big problems in those two books was the omniscient viewpoint > provided by Murgen and that wizard. It took away a lot of the tension > and instead of involving > the characters (and reader) in the action we observed it from above." > > That was a tactical error on the author's part, I think; it made it too > easy to set everything down, at the expense of leaving the reader wondering. > One big thing omniscient lacks is that wonderful sense that we may not be getting the whole story. In the first book Croaker admits what most suspected - that he toned down the descriptions of the company's actions. While sacking Whisper's camp he opens the window a bit - talking about the rape, burning, and slaughter. Once he did that you could read the books knowing that ugliest parts were being edited out. Raven's letters to Croaker in the third book, while intriguing, had little to do with the actual events involving Lady and the Ten's return. They were accepted as truth until they brought back the author who didn't keep notes, much a journal. What really happened on the night that the Lady rose? We'll never know. Lady invited Croaker to write an uninfluenced account of her big battle so history might paint her in a more positive light if she lost it. She knew how she'd been painted after the fall of the Dominion and didn't want that to happen again. With that in mind I wasn't really surprised that she 'edited' things a bit to paint her command of the company in the best possible light. With the other narrators, well, they might be telling the absolute truth or they might be painting things in a certain light - the reader decides. The near omniscient viewpoint (Murgen missed the whole Blade thing until the end) lacks the feel of "I'm recording the annals of the company for history" feel of the other books. It's harder for inconsistencies to prop up. Richard ======================================================================= To unsubscribe, subscribe, or access the archives of this list, visit . ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Steve Chew Subject: (glencook-fans) Online book search tool Date: 23 Oct 2003 17:59:50 -0400 Hi all, Just came across an online book search tool: addall.com It found quite a few Glen Cook books, most of them for pretty reasonable prices (Dragon Never Sleeps is $20 plus shipping though, unfortunately). As an aside, slashdot.org has a poll today on "your favorite tyrannical overlord" and The Dominator was one of the selections. Heheh. Sadly, hardly anyone knew who The Dominator was, though someone posted the fan website and I posted a link to the mailing list info. Steve ======================================================================= To unsubscribe, subscribe, or access the archives of this list, visit .