Hello everyone!
Now, I had another one lined up to review tonight, but then looked at the calendar and figured ... it's much, MUCH too early for it.
Because THAT book only releases in about three weeks.
This one's been out for years.
So I figured, let's switch things up a little and worry about the review later, shall we?
And if you've followed me for a while now, you'll know that I'm also someone who LOVES behind the scenes stuff.
I live for it.
The fact that we get to see glimpses into someone's creative process? Yeah, that's my jam.
Which means that without further ado, let's jump right into the Origins of the Wheel of Time.
Origins is a labour of love written by Michael Livingston, who was invited to handle a lot of things Robert Jordan-related after the man's passing, but this book, I think, was sort of a joint idea between a lot of great minds.
Unlike another similar book which is actually a companion to the narrative (and on its way to me as we speak!), this one doesn't so much deal with the inside world of Wheel of Time, but rather, what brought it about.
It starts with a short biography of Robert Jordan himself, delves into his writing process a little, and then attempts to neatly line up everything and everyone that might have influenced him.
Because, if you look at Wheel of Time, you'll see just what a monumental task the man set out for himself, particularly as he initially thought it was just going to be a trilogy, then six books.
As we know, it expanded into fourteen plus the prequel, and he unfortunately never got to finish it, but Brandon Sanderson took up the job and, based on reviews online, seems to have done a rather good job of a sprawling story spreading out in all directions.
I wouldn't know, yet. I'm working my way through Wheel of Time at the moment myself, and I'm currently on The Dragon Reborn, so right at the beginning.
But I digress.
Michael Livingston took a look at all possible influences Robert Jordan could have been under, from his participation in the Vietnam war, to his experiences in engineering, as well as everything he read about. The point he was trying to make was: if you read Wheel of Time, it could EASILY be something from the past - but also holding echoes of a future yet to come.
It's exactly as he himself wrote: even legend becomes myth by the time the Age that gave it birth comes again. You can see that idea VERY clearly once you start looking at the bigger picture.
At the end of the narrative is an extensive list of names, objects, ideas, battles, etc., with an explanation as to what might have influenced them and what all Jordan pulled into said idea. Because one of the things he was really, really good at, was taking bits and pieces of different cultures and influences and merging them together into a cohesive whole.
To top it off, Livingston writes very poetically and will make you sniffle on more than one occasion.
Don't worry, it's just the wind putting something in your eyes.
Just the wind.
xx
*image not mine
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