[HPFGU-OTChatter] Impatience (HP backlash)

[Brian Yoon]

From: themajicou <Elementale at aol.com>


> *** has else anyone noticed that Robert Jordan has totally ripped off
> Tolkien? I mean, most fantasy books are inspired by Tolkien's worlds,
> but I think Jordan is taking a few too many liberties (books are still
> good IMO). Both worlds have black riders, beast-like men footsoldiers,
> a bad place named Mt Doom that just happens to be a volcano, and a
> long plot that involves people running across the world trying to get
> somewhere while being chased. There are many more. I know I've just
> trampled upon a few toes, but I just have to laugh at the terribly
> obvious similarities. (don't worry future Jordan fans, I didn't spoil
> anything right now!)
>
> Majicou (awaiting the onslaught)--

Lol- here's the first reply.  Not so much a scolding, or anything of the
sort, but just disagreement.

1st: Black riders.  Can't really escape black riders in fantasy works.
Might as well say he copied Terry Brooks flying creatures (can't remember
their names) in his draghkar; beast-like footsoldiers = orcs and trolls from
Brooks; might as well say he copied his "Spine of the World" from other such
fantasy books (or did Legend of the Five Rings copy off of him?); how about
copying the long-chasing off of The Sword of Shannara?  (Excuse my apparent
obsession w/ the Shannara series- it's the only one I can really think of at
the moment.)

Let's face it- there's a set group of things that happen in all fantasy
books, much like the prostitute-with-a-heart-of-gold archetype and the
gruff-thief-who-really-is-a-nice-guy theme.  The running away doesn't happen
for too long in the WoT series, anyway: after the 1st book, it really
changes in theme.

Anyway, it's not really blatant ripping.  It's a familiarity in all fantasy
works that can hardly be avoided in _any_ fantasy book.

Brian Yoon
... Who finished all 9 books of WoT in a weekend