New Wheel of Time author Brandon Sanderson has posted an entry on his blog stating that he emphathises with fans’ impatience for the series to be completed following the tragic death of its original author Robert Jordan.
Sanderson, who currently has several of his own fantasy series on his plate, was selected by Jordan’s widow Harriet McDougal after the author tragically passed away in September 2007 to finish Jordan’s masterpiece. The first book, The Gathering Storm, has already been finished and is presumably in editing or production now, and two more books are planned to finish the series.
Writes Sanderson on his blog:
I understand that some are annoyed at there being three books instead of one, I understand that some are excited about getting three books, and I understand that most of you probably feel both annoyed and excited at the same time. (This series does that to people.)
I understand what it’s like to defend the Wheel of Time vigorously to friends, but then find yourself saying, “I think I’ll wait to read the rest of them until the thing is finally done” to other friends later in the week. I’ve been there. I have a friend who—each time Mr. Jordan’s name was mentioned—used to raise his fist to the sky and curse. Partially in jest, partially to express his fascination and frustration at the same time. I empathized with him a lot.
However, the author adds, he knows how the series ends and the destination will be worth the journey for fans, even those, who like himself, have alternately cursed and praised The Wheel of Time throughout its twenty-year publishing history.
“To you who are like I was, I just say this, give yourself a chance to discover the books again, and you’ll remember what this is all about,” he concludes.
Commentary
In this post, Sanderson captures perfectly how fans feel about The Wheel of Time. It’s a love/hate, relationship, all right. I think most people who have truly spent a lot of time with the series realise how important a work it is. But, paraphrasing Robert Heinlein, Jordan’s masterpiece is a harsh mistress.
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