Fantasist Joe Abercrombie: One Law, Six Reasons
One of the toughest things you can ask a writer to do is ask "Why should someone read your book?" Because, ultimately, unless you've written an accounting manual or a how-to money making tome, why should anyone read any particular book?
Knowing this, I thought I'd put Joe Abercrombie, creator of the First Law heroic fantasy trilogy, on the spot. After all, he's been on an amazing creative and critical run, so why not throw down a little challenge his way? And, I've been remise in not covering his books before on Amazon. Frankly, if you like George R.R. Martin or other serious but fun fantasy, you should pick up some Abercrombie.
And here's why, straight from the author's mouth (and he's not joking about number six)...
1. Because it contains all the mystery, magic, court intrigue, high and low adventure, reeking cities, wind-blasted wildernesses, swords and armour, peculiar towers, and below-par poetry that one could hope for in a work of heroic (or unheroic) fantasy. An epic sweep of love and war, all positively packed into three enormous books.
2. Because its frequent explosions of visceral action are the closest you can get to being hit in the mouth with a mace and still keep all your teeth. Its selection of rooftop chases, duels to the death, chaotic melees in all weathers and full-scale pitched battles are so exciting they may cause you to lose control of your bodily functions.
3. Because its combination of satirical bite, puns in the face of death, gallows humour in all weathers and full-scale reversals of expectation are so hilarious they may cause you to lose control of your bodily functions again.
4. Because its characters – from the nine-fingered barbarian trying to escape a life of violence, to the crippled veteran who only wants to find the truth, to the irascible bald old wizard with a plan to save the world – are some of the brightest heroes you’ll ever read about.
5. Because its characters – from the nine-fingered barbarian endlessly steeped in blood, to the crippled veteran who makes his living torturing the innocent, to the scheming bald old wizard with a plan to destroy the world – are some of the darkest villains you’ll ever read about.
6. Because Junot Diaz says you should, and he’s got a Pulitzer Prize.
BAR RAFAELI on November 19, 2008 at 12:32 AM
a love reaction ???
http://comielotrodia.wordpress.com/
Bob Lock on November 19, 2008 at 08:21 AM
Joe is a great guy, always has time for his fans and also writes an entertaining blog too, well worth a visit. I challenged him some time ago to answer a few questions on my own blog and this is the result :)
As you'll see they are all profound, thought-provoking and are here:-
1/ Joe, if you had the power to ban one single type of garment worn by humans on the earth today, which would you choose?
2/ Joe, have you ever tried lighting one of your farts? If yes, why? If no, why not?
3/ Joe, if Megatron had a fight with Godzilla who do you think would win?
4/ Joe, if you were chosen to be the first human to meet an alien that had landed on Earth would you prefer to take a Desert Eagle Automatic with you are a Welcome to Earth sign?
5/ Joe, have you ever had a back, sack and crack wax? If yes, was it all you imagined it to be? If no would you consider having it done?
There, as I said, all profound and in perfectly good taste...
Joe's answers:-
Why do I do this? Why?
1. Caps worn with the bill in any direction other than forwards.
2. No. I once saw someone else burn himself quite badly attempting it. Not on the fart, incidentally, but on the lighter.
3. I think these two are both misunderstood, and would resolve their differences peacefully.
4. I'd say the desert eagle, except I know I could never handle a .50 magnum. So gimme the sign. At least I could hide behind it.
5. No need. I am entirely hairless, like an albino slug.
He's a writer who I think will go from strength to strength, can't wait for his next book.
Bob