Path to Coldness of Heart
I just finished the book and I can't decide what I think. The end seemed to come and go a little to quickly for me after all the build up. I certainly was ripping through the book quickly enough and was enjoying myself along the way. I wonder if I'm just glum it's over. 20+ years was a long wait. Still, I left it still feeling as if the story wasn't quite over yet, as if Cook left some things open (with Mist's kids, with Bragi and Kavelin, with Haround, Yasmid and Hammad al Nakir, and with Mist knowing where the Star Rider might be from El Murid), which, given that my presumption is that this is certainly the last Dread Empire story, didn't set right. I also have a question that I'd love feed back on if anyone is able: Why does Mist recognize the Matayangan guru aiding the Disciple? Who is he supposed to be? Jerry Kalayjian
I felt the same way; the book felt like it finished chapters early. But I think that's an artifact of Glen's writing style: the stories he's telling are only a portion of history, and like real history, there are no clear cut beginings and endings. --- On Sun, 3/11/12, Jerry Kalayjian <jkalayjian@yahoo.com> wrote: From: Jerry Kalayjian <jkalayjian@yahoo.com> Subject: [Glencook-fans] Path to Coldness of Heart To: "glencook-fans@mailman.xmission.com" <glencook-fans@mailman.xmission.com> Date: Sunday, March 11, 2012, 2:32 PM I just finished the book and I can't decide what I think. The end seemed to come and go a little to quickly for me after all the build up. I certainly was ripping through the book quickly enough and was enjoying myself along the way. I wonder if I'm just glum it's over. 20+ years was a long wait. Still, I left it still feeling as if the story wasn't quite over yet, as if Cook left some things open (with Mist's kids, with Bragi and Kavelin, with Haround, Yasmid and Hammad al Nakir, and with Mist knowing where the Star Rider might be from El Murid), which, given that my presumption is that this is certainly the last Dread Empire story, didn't set right. I also have a question that I'd love feed back on if anyone is able: Why does Mist recognize the Matayangan guru aiding the Disciple? Who is he supposed to be? Jerry Kalayjian -----Inline Attachment Follows----- _______________________________________________ glencook-fans mailing list glencook-fans@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/glencook-fans
Me too - as a former historian, I can see the appeal to a slice of life approach - but a bit more connective tissue would have been appreciated. Don't feel unfinished about either the Black Company series (at all) or the Instrumentalities of the Night (so far). So, wonder why he finished Dread Empire up this way? happy reading saul -----Original Message----- From: Matt Cutter <thorr_kan@yahoo.com> To: Jerry Kalayjian <jkalayjian@yahoo.com>; Glen Cook: Science Fiction/Fantasy Author <glencook-fans@mailman.xmission.com> Sent: Wed, Mar 14, 2012 12:48 pm Subject: Re: [Glencook-fans] Path to Coldness of Heart I felt the same way; the book felt like it finished chapters early. But I think that's an artifact of Glen's writing style: the stories he's telling are only a portion of history, and like real history, there are no clear cut beginings and endings. --- On Sun, 3/11/12, Jerry Kalayjian <jkalayjian@yahoo.com> wrote: From: Jerry Kalayjian <jkalayjian@yahoo.com> Subject: [Glencook-fans] Path to Coldness of Heart To: "glencook-fans@mailman.xmission.com" <glencook-fans@mailman.xmission.com> Date: Sunday, March 11, 2012, 2:32 PM I just finished the book and I can't decide what I think. The end seemed to come and go a little to quickly for me after all the build up. I certainly was ripping through the book quickly enough and was enjoying myself along the way. I wonder if I'm just glum it's over. 20+ years was a long wait. Still, I left it still feeling as if the story wasn't quite over yet, as if Cook left some things open (with Mist's kids, with Bragi and Kavelin, with Haround, Yasmid and Hammad al Nakir, and with Mist knowing where the Star Rider might be from El Murid), which, given that my presumption is that this is certainly the last Dread Empire story, didn't set right. I also have a question that I'd love feed back on if anyone is able: Why does Mist recognize the Matayangan guru aiding the Disciple? Who is he supposed to be? Jerry Kalayjian -----Inline Attachment Follows----- _______________________________________________ glencook-fans mailing list glencook-fans@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/glencook-fans _______________________________________________ glencook-fans mailing list glencook-fans@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/glencook-fans
Cook's my favorite literary refuge, I love his writing. I teach middle school history, and agree with the slice of history/life comment. It's part of what's attractive about his writing - that realism amidst the fantasy. The climax felt rushed, like Matt said below. It's almost as if he intentionally left things unfinished and open ended; much more than I would have expected given his slice of life style. It felt like a movie that's written/filmed purposefully so that a sequel is possible if it's original is successful enough. Any thoughts on El Murid's guru being recognized by Mist? ________________________________ From: "saulamca@aol.com" <saulamca@aol.com> To: glencook-fans@mailman.xmission.com Sent: Wednesday, March 14, 2012 1:06 PM Subject: Re: [Glencook-fans] Path to Coldness of Heart Me too - as a former historian, I can see the appeal to a slice of life approach - but a bit more connective tissue would have been appreciated. Don't feel unfinished about either the Black Company series(at all) or the Instrumentalities of the Night (so far). So, wonder why he finished Dread Empire up this way? happy reading saul -----Original Message----- From: Matt Cutter <thorr_kan@yahoo.com> To: Jerry Kalayjian <jkalayjian@yahoo.com>; Glen Cook: Science Fiction/Fantasy Author <glencook-fans@mailman.xmission.com> Sent: Wed, Mar 14, 2012 12:48 pm Subject: Re: [Glencook-fans] Path to Coldness of Heart I felt the same way; the book felt like it finished chapters early. But I think that's an artifact of Glen's writing style: the stories he's telling are only a portion of history, and like real history, there are no clear cut beginings and endings. --- On Sun, 3/11/12, Jerry Kalayjian <jkalayjian@yahoo.com> wrote:
From: Jerry Kalayjian <jkalayjian@yahoo.com> Subject: [Glencook-fans] Path to Coldness of Heart To: "glencook-fans@mailman.xmission.com" <glencook-fans@mailman.xmission.com> Date: Sunday, March 11, 2012, 2:32 PM
I just finished the book and I can't decide what I think. The end seemed to come and go a little to quickly for me after all the build up. I certainly was ripping through the book quickly enough and was enjoying myself along the way. I wonder if I'm just glum it's over. 20+ years was a long wait. Still, I left it still feeling as if the story wasn't quite over yet, as if Cook left some things open (with Mist's kids, with Bragi and Kavelin, with Haround, Yasmid and Hammad al Nakir, and with Mist knowing where the Star Rider might be from El Murid), which, given that my presumption is that this is certainly the last Dread Empire story, didn't set right.
I also have a question that I'd love feed back on if anyone is able: Why does Mist recognize the Matayangan guru aiding the Disciple? Who is he supposed to be?
Jerry Kalayjian
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_______________________________________________ glencook-fans mailing list glencook-fans@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/glencook-fans
_______________________________________________ glencook-fans mailing list glencook-fans@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/glencook-fans _______________________________________________ glencook-fans mailing list glencook-fans@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/glencook-fans
I would love to see a sequel. Remember that at one time there were several more books planned for the series. Then again, none of the Dread Empire Novels really had a strong "this is it" ending. Most weren't cliffhangers, but they weren't like the ending of the Tower of Fear (which had one epilogue for the characters and another for the world). Maybe he was aiming for one of those types of endings here. Richard
On re-reading the series for the umpteenth time, I notice something interesting: Garrett seems to have a remarkable knack for being at the right place at the right time...both apparently a magnet for pivotal events and a catalyst for same. Make you wonder if Garrett does not himself have a (previously unrecognized) piece the the magical gift himself...Garrett may turn put to be not entirely as different from Strafa and her family as he might prefer to believe... Doc D -----Original Message----- From: Richard Chilton <rchilton@auracom.com> To: Jerry Kalayjian <jkalayjian@yahoo.com>; Glen Cook: Science Fiction/Fantasy Author <glencook-fans@mailman.xmission.com> Sent: Thu, Mar 15, 2012 1:08 am Subject: Re: [Glencook-fans] Path to Coldness of Heart I would love to see a sequel. Remember that at one time there were several more books planned for the series. Then again, none of the Dread Empire Novels really had a strong "this is it" ending. Most weren't cliffhangers, but they weren't like the ending of the Tower of Fear (which had one epilogue for the characters and another for the world). Maybe he was aiming for one of those types of endings here. Richard _______________________________________________ glencook-fans mailing list glencook-fans@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/glencook-fans
On Thu, Mar 15, 2012 at 7:07 PM, <c01demp@aol.com> wrote:
On re-reading the series for the umpteenth time, I notice something interesting:
Garrett seems to have a remarkable knack for being at the right place at the right time...both apparently a magnet for pivotal events and a catalyst for same.
Make you wonder if Garrett does not himself have a (previously unrecognized) piece the the magical gift himself...Garrett may turn put to be not entirely as different from Strafa and her family as he might prefer to believe...
Um, I could be wrong here, but in Angry Lead Skies, didn't one of the aliens say that he had a bit of psychic power? Nothing at the level of The Dead Man, but enough to explain how he attracts women? Even (as his former general notes) in the middle of a swamp? It's been a while since I read it - but I could swear there was something like that in that book. Richard
Jerry, no opinion re: Mist vs the Guru - although it would have made better reading for me if some of his techniques were described in more detail. and, as a fantasy fan who grew up in Hollywood, I am skeptical about series ending...there is always a potential call for another sequel...like the possible Black Company floater - which might deal with the Company in Service to The Lady...one can only hope. {After all, the sets are already done - the characters are developed - the 'historical time line' is already created. And, all one needs to do is just allow the new book to come forth.} am also awaiting closure of Instrumentalities... happy daze saul in Virginia -----Original Message----- From: Jerry Kalayjian <jkalayjian@yahoo.com> To: Glen Cook: Science Fiction/Fantasy Author <glencook-fans@mailman.xmission.com> Sent: Wed, Mar 14, 2012 5:24 pm Subject: Re: [Glencook-fans] Path to Coldness of Heart Cook's my favorite literary refuge, I love his writing. I teach middle school history, and agree with the slice of history/life comment. It's part of what's attractive about his writing - that realism amidst the fantasy. The climax felt rushed, like Matt said below. It's almost as if he intentionally left things unfinished and open ended; much more than I would have expected given his slice of life style. It felt like a movie that's written/filmed purposefully so that a sequel is possible if it's original is successful enough. Any thoughts on El Murid's guru being recognized by Mist? From: "saulamca@aol.com" <saulamca@aol.com> To: glencook-fans@mailman.xmission.com Sent: Wednesday, March 14, 2012 1:06 PM Subject: Re: [Glencook-fans] Path to Coldness of Heart Me too - as a former historian, I can see the appeal to a slice of life approach - but a bit more connective tissue would have been appreciated. Don't feel unfinished about either the Black Company series (at all) or the Instrumentalities of the Night (so far). So, wonder why he finished Dread Empire up this way? happy reading saul -----Original Message----- From: Matt Cutter <thorr_kan@yahoo.com> To: Jerry Kalayjian <jkalayjian@yahoo.com>; Glen Cook: Science Fiction/Fantasy Author <glencook-fans@mailman.xmission.com> Sent: Wed, Mar 14, 2012 12:48 pm Subject: Re: [Glencook-fans] Path to Coldness of Heart I felt the same way; the book felt like it finished chapters early. But I think that's an artifact of Glen's writing style: the stories he's telling are only a portion of history, and like real history, there are no clear cut beginings and endings. --- On Sun, 3/11/12, Jerry Kalayjian <jkalayjian@yahoo.com> wrote: From: Jerry Kalayjian <jkalayjian@yahoo.com> Subject: [Glencook-fans] Path to Coldness of Heart To: "glencook-fans@mailman.xmission.com" <glencook-fans@mailman.xmission.com> Date: Sunday, March 11, 2012, 2:32 PM I just finished the book and I can't decide what I think. The end seemed to come and go a little to quickly for me after all the build up. I certainly was ripping through the book quickly enough and was enjoying myself along the way. I wonder if I'm just glum it's over. 20+ years was a long wait. Still, I left it still feeling as if the story wasn't quite over yet, as if Cook left some things open (with Mist's kids, with Bragi and Kavelin, with Haround, Yasmid and Hammad al Nakir, and with Mist knowing where the Star Rider might be from El Murid), which, given that my presumption is that this is certainly the last Dread Empire story, didn't set right. I also have a question that I'd love feed back on if anyone is able: Why does Mist recognize the Matayangan guru aiding the Disciple? Who is he supposed to be? Jerry Kalayjian -----Inline Attachment Follows----- _______________________________________________ glencook-fans mailing list glencook-fans@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/glencook-fans _______________________________________________ glencook-fans mailing list glencook-fans@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/glencook-fans _______________________________________________ glencook-fans mailing list glencook-fans@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/glencook-fans _______________________________________________ glencook-fans mailing list glencook-fans@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/glencook-fans
participants (5)
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c01demp＠aol.com -
Jerry Kalayjian -
Matt Cutter -
Richard Chilton -
saulamca＠aol.com