The “Wheel of Time” Keeps on Turning

So here we go. This week on Normality Restored we are talking about our raped childhoods. In my case it is not so much my raped childhood, as my raped mid-teens to early twenties. I began to read Robert Jordan’s fantastic “Wheel of Time” series as a junior in high school and I absolutely loved it. As many of you know Jordan passed away in 2005 of a rare blood disease. Knowing that he was about to die, Jordan put together as much of the final “Wheel of Time” book as he possibly could. He understood well that there was a possibility he would not be able to finish it. Alas, the author was right and the book was unfinished at the time of his death. A new writer, Brandon Sanderson, was found to finish off the novel which brings us to today.
I would like to be clear from the start and state that it is not my intent, in any way, to slight Mr. Sanderson. I have never read any of his novels (although I have often lifted them from the shelves of bookstores and pondered them with interest; only to be distracted by some shiny new Stephen King or dusty old classic) and, therefore, do not have anything to say about his writing style in comparison to Jordan’s. For all I know Mr. Sanderson may be the next J. R. R. Tolkien. I will be focusing, however, more on the decisions made over (this book) these books.

I understand fully the want to see a favorite story finished yet, in many ways, the tale dies with its creator. How many of us have read or seen a sequel to a novel or film, that was not produced bu the original creative team, that was simply sub-par (which is, to be honest, is more often than not the case)? How many times have we gotten our hopes up simply to be let down by new creators (not because they are poor creators but simply because they are trying to control something they simply did not make)? It’s like cooks touch, all of the ingredients could be there, in the right proportions but if the cook stirs it one too many times or leaves it on the stove for a fraction of a second too long things can fall apart (which is why I don’t generally share my recipes).

I am frustrated with the idea of turning one novel into three, this may seem very jaded of me but the act appears to be nothing more than a money grab. Why would a company possibly want to sell a 2,100 page novel for thirty or thirty-five dollars when it can sell three 700 page novels for twenty-five dollars a piece. We all went through basic math and know that the hungry alligator likes seventy-five dollars more than thirty-five (75 > 35). So there you have it, might as well split the novel into three novels to get into the pockets of those loyal fans. There may be other reasons for this decision but it seems wrong, nonetheless. Besides, Jordan wanted it all to be one more novel and shouldn’t the wishes of a dying man be respected? If he had planned for three more novels then three it would be. I would have no problem with that.

Long before the announcement of Sanderson taking over, I had determined that my own personal “Wheel of Time” reading experience would end with “Knife of Dreams,” the last book that Jordan wrote cover to cover. I have two cousins and a sibling who have all read Jordan’s books and intend on finishing out the series with Sanderson. I am sure that they will enjoy the books, but for me, I would rather remember what was than what might have been. I have become agitated with the growing trend of writers taking over the works of others. Recently I have seen on the bookshelves “Devil May Care” a new James Bond tale not written by Ian Fleming. “The Bourne Deception,” not written by Robert Ludlum. Hell, someone even tried to write a sequel to “Catcher in the Rye” this year; thank god J. D. Salinger is still alive to protect his work. If a work is unfinished I would like to suggest two options. Release the notes that the author had or simply let sleeping dogs lie.