I have just started reading The Wise Man’s Fear by Patrick Rothfuss, which is part two of the KingKiller Chronicles and as a back handed compliment I can say it has made me rather depressed. It is the book I want to write, but doubt I will ever be able to (here’s to perseverance though!).
That aside however I would like to whole hearted recommend it (and the series) to anyone looking to read a fantasy series that ‘feels’ gritty and has no flowing white caped heroes (or black caped baddies for that matter). The opening of the first book “A silence in three parts” sets the tone and it just gets better and better.
Although the second book comes in at 992 pages, so its quite a commitment.
well, I know the feeling. I felt a little like that when reading Jonathan Strange & Mister Norrell: A Novel (got to give that sucker its whole title) around five years ago and on many other occasions. (just that this particular novel comes up.)
though I have a solution for you… maybe you cannot write a big fat book like this one (or like Jonathan Strange & Mister Norrell: A Novel, say), however, you could write a different kind of novel or nonfiction or maybe not a book at all but a screenplay.
not, in other words as good as that other book, in the same way, but equally as good in a different way.
you don’t want to write that book or you have would have done so, or at least started it.
Ohhh yes. I do wholeheartedly agree with that sentiment. Having said that, I’ve found Patrick Rothfuss’s books great fodder for inspiration, thereby saving myself from feelings of depression and relative inadequacy. He sets a high standard for a well-chiseled manuscript. Such length of excellent book with no slow spots or dead ends says, ‘‘Writing is not for the lazy or the step-skippers. If you are going to do it, do it like you mean it.’’