Have you ever read a book that was so thorough and complex, and yet enjoyable and a good story, that you almost think of the characters as old friends?

I just started re-reading the Wheel of Time series that Robert Jordan started writing back in 1990. There are 10 books in the series, and the eleventh book is rumored to be coming out in October 2005. The clinker? This is all one story! Like The Lord of the Rings was one story in three books, this is one story in a DOZEN!

I started the series over again last week, and it was like meeting up with old friends. Robert Jordan has created a world system (complete with cultures, legends, biases, artifacts, believable characters, etc.) that is so compelling you find yourself thinking of it in the same way as you think of real-world places that you’ve never been. You understand the various cultures. You know what certain people would do in various situations, what their habits are, and what their world view is. Think about somebody that you used to know, that was a friend and a part of your life, but you haven’t seen them or talked to them in years. That’s how you end up relating to these characters.

Jordan has been compared with Tolkien, and this world that he created is easily on a par with Middle Earth. There are already peripheral books that have been published that talk about Jordan’s world and writings, just like Tolkien, only not as many yet. Sure, some people are criticizing his most recent couple of books, saying they didn’t develop much plot or that he just goes on and on about certain things, but there are also fans that enjoy those things that he’s been focusing on. And even if it does get long (the books average 805 pages), there are so many subtle plot weavings and character relationships that once you’ve started, you don’t really want to stop. And the plot twists that happen, even if only in a short period of time story-wise, will certainly have a bearing on the conclusion of the story.

I read an interview with Robert Jordan a few years ago, and he said that he figured the series would be around 12 books. That was when there were only 7 out. So it IS coming closer to the end. Too bad he doesn’t write them as fast as he used to, but after the first few books, when he was working 40+ hours a week, every week, his family convinced him to slow down and not spend so much constant time writing. At least we know that the series WILL end, since he said the first scene that came to mind for him, back in the beginning, was the “Final Battle.” He had the end in mind all this time, but the characters and cultures are so rich and the plots so complex that it’s taken all this time just to get where it is. You can see the evidence of this throughout the series, as people or situations that were alluded to in the first couple books actually show up eight books later. And at least each book does end with a satisfying conclusion, which is good enough to hold you until you can get the next book in the series. :-D
All in all, a very complex weaving of plots, cultures, and compelling characters, but one that will enthrall you and easily become as real to you as people you used to know and real places you’ve only read about. Highly recommended series. Of course, you have to start at the beginning. If I’ve interested you, click the picture of the book below to find out more from Amazon.

Currently reading: The Eye of the World, by Robert Jordan