# Wheel of Time gets even longer **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [April 1, 2009, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheel-of-time-gets-even-longer/491577 "2009-04-01T14:26:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/malleus_incus_stapes/32/3293_2.png) [@Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malleus_Incus_Stapes)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2009, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheel-of-time-gets-even-longer/491577/1 "2009-04-01T14:26:09Z")
See [http://bookclubs.barnesandnoble.com/bn/board/message?board.id=fsf&thread.id=7612&jump=true](http://bookclubs.barnesandnoble.com/bn/board/message?board.id=fsf&thread.id=7612&jump=true) . ---
**Author:** ![Bosstone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/22d042/32.png) [@Bosstone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosstone)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2009, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheel-of-time-gets-even-longer/491577/2 "2009-04-01T14:32:34Z")
Good god. I know Jordan said _Memory of Light_ would be the final book of the series even if you needed a wheelbarrow to tote it around. I guess the publisher had different ideas, but this is just…interminable. ---
**Author:** ![SCSimmons](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e495f1/32.png) [@SCSimmons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SCSimmons)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2009, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheel-of-time-gets-even-longer/491577/3 "2009-04-01T14:34:26Z")
Well, are we talking about three volumes that are each as long as the last few of Jordan’s WoT installments? Or three that are each about half as long? Makes a difference … No, not really, actually. I’m looking forward to the conclusion of the series, and to seeing how the ‘replacement author’ handles it. I have yet to read anything even mediocre by Sanderson; he seems to range from ‘pretty darn good’ to ‘awesome’. ---
**Author:** ![Merijeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f05b48/32.png) [@Merijeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merijeek)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2009, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheel-of-time-gets-even-longer/491577/4 "2009-04-01T14:43:20Z")
> [@SCSimmons](#): > > Well, are we talking about three volumes that are each as long as the last few of Jordan’s WoT installments? Or three that are each about half as long? Makes a difference … No, not really, actually. I’m looking forward to the conclusion of the series, and to seeing how the ‘replacement author’ handles it. I have yet to read anything even mediocre by Sanderson; he seems to range from ‘pretty darn good’ to ‘awesome’. Ugggh… This definitely moved Jordan’s last book(s) from the “probably library” to the “not a chance of buying time” list. -Joe ---
**Author:** ![DigitalC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ebca7d/32.png) [@DigitalC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DigitalC)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2009, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheel-of-time-gets-even-longer/491577/5 "2009-04-01T14:51:58Z")
They are milking the series to honor Jordan, afterall its what he would have wanted. ---
**Author:** ![Merijeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f05b48/32.png) [@Merijeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merijeek)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2009, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheel-of-time-gets-even-longer/491577/6 "2009-04-01T15:40:04Z")
> [@DigitalC](#): > > They are milking the series to honor Jordan, afterall its what he would have wanted. (golf clap) -Joe ---
**Author:** ![Lochdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/edb3f5/32.png) [@Lochdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lochdale)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2009, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheel-of-time-gets-even-longer/491577/7 "2009-04-01T15:46:51Z")
I read the first five books and gave up after that. Most of it was utter crap and I feel sorry for people who feel like they have to complete the series. ---
**Author:** ![Merijeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f05b48/32.png) [@Merijeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merijeek)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2009, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheel-of-time-gets-even-longer/491577/8 "2009-04-01T17:55:43Z")
I’d like to point out that posting this on April Fool’s (even though it appears genuine) is a really bad idea… -Joe ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2009, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheel-of-time-gets-even-longer/491577/9 "2009-04-01T18:05:32Z")
> [@Merijeek](#): > > I’d like to point out that posting this on April Fool’s (even though it appears genuine) is a really bad idea… > > -Joe Yeah, I disbelieved this one at the start. ---
**Author:** ![Merijeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f05b48/32.png) [@Merijeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merijeek)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2009, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheel-of-time-gets-even-longer/491577/10 "2009-04-01T18:31:05Z")
> [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](#): > > Yeah, I disbelieved this one at the start. Umm…disbelieve it if you want, but if you follow the link it goes to B&N’s site. -Joe ---
**Author:** ![Dante](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dante/32/9673_2.png) [@Dante](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dante)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2009, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheel-of-time-gets-even-longer/491577/11 "2009-04-01T19:28:45Z")
Dammit, I had just put the first four books on my iPhone to start reading them again to be ready by November. After the reviews of _Crossroads of Twilight_ came out, I decided to stop until the entire series was done. Oh well, it’s only been 8 years or so, I guess a couple more won’t hurt. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2009, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheel-of-time-gets-even-longer/491577/12 "2009-04-01T19:35:52Z")
> [@Merijeek](#): > > Umm…disbelieve it if you want, but if you follow the link it goes to B&N’s site. > > -Joe Oh, I know. I followed the link, _then_ I came to believe. ---
**Author:** ![Ogre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ecb155/32.png) [@Ogre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ogre)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2009, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheel-of-time-gets-even-longer/491577/13 "2009-04-01T19:37:53Z")
Man, I’m glad I bailed on that series after the third book. ---
**Author:** ![Helena](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c68b51/32.png) [@Helena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Helena)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2009, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheel-of-time-gets-even-longer/491577/14 "2009-04-01T19:37:58Z")
> [@DigitalC](#): > > They are milking the series to honor Jordan I think Brandon just couldn’t get it all into one book. ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_C](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Captain\_C](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_C)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2009, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheel-of-time-gets-even-longer/491577/15 "2009-04-01T20:18:10Z")
It’s sad actually. I REALLY enjoyed the first book of the series. It works as a great stand-alone book, for those of you who want a good fantasy read. But the series went on, and on, and ON. I think I gave up around the Crown of Swords, when I could no longer remember what had happened in the earlier books. I just wish they would end it already, as I want to know the ending (just not take the time to read all 10,000+ pages). ---
**Author:** ![Merijeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f05b48/32.png) [@Merijeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merijeek)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2009, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheel-of-time-gets-even-longer/491577/16 "2009-04-01T21:08:55Z")
So…maybe I need to work on my reading comprehension, but assuming this book comes out November whateverth, are the other two all ready to go? Or will it be some years? -Joe ---
**Author:** ![robardin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/43a26b/32.png) [@robardin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robardin)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2009, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheel-of-time-gets-even-longer/491577/17 "2009-04-01T21:14:55Z")
I’m actually glad to hear the last book has been expanded to three. Bear with me on this one, but it’s a little bit like the whole sub-prime CDO derivatives thing going down right now. It’s a huge mess but you can’t just unwind out of it with one transaction. The series got over-leveraged with subplots and new mysteries. The first 3, nay 5 books were great, the plot moved and kept getting deeper. But then books 6-10 stalled out. Major plot elements barely moved. Minor subplots got forgotten for long stretches, only to be referred to again. NEW subplots got introduced, along with pages and pages of political intrigue and (let’s just come out and say it) catfighting. \*\* spoilers, if you care, which I suspect few do on a topic like this \*\* _Winter’s Heart_ seemed promising, with Rand cleansing _saidin_ but then _Crossroads of Twilight_ spent 1000+ pages and innumerable POV shifts to advance the plot [by five sentences](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crossroads_of_Twilight#Plot_summary). \*\* end spoilers and rant \*\* Book 11 felt like too much the other way. I think Jordan was trying to wrap things up himself, realizing he could pass away before doing so. But after 5 books of stasis, _Knife of Dreams_ felt (to me) very rushed. So many minor mysteries – such as Aram’s fate, and the FaileQuest – were resolved so quickly that they couldn’t possibly be satisfying. Even so there were too many loose ends left for the series to finish at all well in just one more book. Think of all the various prophecies and visions that still need fleshing out and explaining. Even at 2,000 pages it’d read not too differently from a freakin’ PowerPoint presentation of plot elements. Which I suppose for many, may be exactly what they want to stop thinking about the world of Randland. But if the series is to even have a shot at redemption, it needs a proper unwinding. As long as the last (now 3) books need to wind down at about the same pace as the first 3 ramped up, I’ll be fine with that. Then, we need to hire Jorge R. R. Martìn (GRR Martin’s Mexican, non-union equivalent) to re-write the entire 15-book series into a 6-book one. I don’t care if he writes it in Spanish, and we then hire a retired Filipino editor of 1970s era Japanese electronics product manuals to translate it into English. It’d be an improvement! ---
**Author:** ![Helena](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c68b51/32.png) [@Helena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Helena)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2009, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheel-of-time-gets-even-longer/491577/18 "2009-04-01T21:49:26Z")
[Brandon’s article on the subject](http://www.brandonsanderson.com/article/56/Splitting-AMOL). ---
**Author:** ![photopat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e95f7d/32.png) [@photopat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/photopat)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2009, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheel-of-time-gets-even-longer/491577/19 "2009-04-01T22:21:00Z")
You know, when I first glanced at the thread title I thought “how can they make Wheel of Fortune longer?” Then I read it again, and now I wish it was about the game show. ---
**Author:** ![Fish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/bc8723/32.png) [@Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fish)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2009, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheel-of-time-gets-even-longer/491577/20 "2009-04-01T22:24:25Z")
I hear they’re releasing the last 3 books in “Wheel of Time” Mad Libs format.