Group Read of Robert Jordan's 'Wheel of Time' series - (2) The Great Hunt

The Great Hunt is the second book in Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time series. It was originally released in November 1990 and later also issued in two parts as The Hunt Begins and New Threads in the Pattern.

           

Link to main thread: https://www.librarything.com/topic/302886

Link to thread for (1) The Eye of the World: https://www.librarything.com/topic/302888

Link to thread for (3) The Dragon Reborn: http://www.librarything.com/topic/304667

Link to the index for the Tor reading in 2018/ 2019/ ....: https://www.tor.com/series/reading-the-wheel-of-time/

maps to follow, when I work out where :0)



I've found an interesting site https://atlasoficeandfireblog.wordpress.com/2019/05/29/the-wheel-of-time-atlas-t... that gives timelines in days, presumably from the beginning of The Eye of the World. But don't look at it until you've read the relevant book because it gives all the journeys in precise days (as well as a brief synopsis of the end of the first book as it relates to this map), so it is a bit spoilery.



https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/wot/images/6/6c/Borderlandsmap.png/revision/...

I got the book from the library, I will probably read it next week.

It took a bit longer than expected, I did start reading The Great Hunt today.

I liked The Great Hunt better than The Eye of the World. Next month I will go on with The Dragon Reborn.

>5 FAMeulstee: That's good to know, Anita. I'm not quite so sure about it.

I started it at the beginning of the month and am still plugging along. (I haven't had a ton of time to read this month.) The book seems pretty slow to me. I felt like for the first 50 pages, there was no action at all, as Rand was just going around Fal Dara hiding and making his friends angry in order to protect them.. Then there was a little bit of action around page 105, when Padan Fain escaped. I was sure it was going to pick up for me around page 221, but IMO, it was a false alarm! At least by that time, I was more committed to reading it - I wasn't sure at page 105.

I think the biggest issue I have is that Jordan isn't doing anything to invest me in the characters. When I look at some of the best fantasies I've read, JRR Tolkien, Lois McMaster Bujold, and Robin Hobb, to name a few, those authors put their characters in the worst potential life and death situations, build the anticipation and then find a way to get them out if it. Of course, a lot of the "getting out" may be attributable to deus ex machina, but the peril the characters are in makes them seem more vulnerable, perhaps, and therefore one wants to root for them. I just don't get that sense of peril with these first two books. The "peril" seems to come out of nowhere and is dealt with fairly quickly, so I have never actually felt that any of the characters were in danger.

The pick up around page 221 was when Nynaeve was going through the ritual to become an Accepted. In all three trials that she faced, she was to face her worst fear. Now granted, the first two trials qualified (somewhat), but the last fear, rises maybe to the level of a broken dream. I get that she loves Lan and doesn't want to lose him, but they are not married, and they certainly don't have children - there is a GIGANTIC difference between the dream of wanting children and perhaps never having them, and having children and being afraid of losing them. Since she was to face her worst fears, I thought perhaps there might finally be some danger (similar to when the characters in the Divergent series had to face their worst fears), but the "fears" weren't actually that fearful, and there certainly wasn't enough build up.

The world-building is interesting and I think that keeps me plugging along. There are a lot of characters to follow, so I'm glad that I purchased The Wheel of Time Companion, as some of them get a sporadic mention and I've almost forgotten about them before they are mentioned again.

I do want to keep reading the series, though, for at least a few more books - I don't know if I'll make it through the entire series, though.

>6 rretzler: My only references in this genre are JRR Tolkien and Ursula LeGuin (Earthsea).
I rather like to get to know the characters gradually, for me there is enough action to keep me interested. And I love Loial the Ogier, not only because he reads much :-)

Finished it last weekend. I'm enjoying the little references to other fantasy works. Really didn't care much for Mat in this one - waaaay too whiney with Rand, though in fairness, Rand was a bit of a piece of work himself until most of the way through .

Litsy notes on The Great Hunt:

Well my reading mojo started coming back but then Life interrupted - we‘re truly in the run up to GCSEs now.
Chapter 10: there was an instance of déjà vu that I had forgotten; I wonder if it will be addressed (specifically) later?

If you pay attention to the chapter headings, the icon helps identify the POV. Points of view are going to multiply from here on, as the original Two Rivers Party splits up and meets more people (some equally important to the prophecies)

I like the way the Emond Fielders often refer new things back to the way someone did something at home or life in the Two Rivers. Hmm; (ch15) could be our world and con trails?

Ch 20: An inn called ‘The Nine Rings‘, named for one of Rand‘hs favourite adventure stories. A Tolkien homage?

Finally read this in July 2022:

26) The Great Hunt by Robert Jordan



{Second of 14 (plus 2 prequels) Wheel of Time; fantasy, epic, second in series (publication order), second in series, quest} (1991)

The Horn of Valere, which will call the heroes out of legend to fight the Last Battle, was lost Ages ago and a Great Hunt - which in turn gives rise to more legends - is called periodically to search for it; such a one has been called for in Illian and those who would be heroes are flocking to that city.

I picked this book up about three years ago to read again for the Wheel of Time group read and then again more recently ahead of the Amazon filmed series based on the first two or three of the books. It took me a while to read for lots of reasons, none of which were because it's a bad book; I was interrupted by expiring library books, books for book clubs or group reads and because I (finally!) got to travel. I've also found in recent years that it's harder for me to get into a book that I've read before because I remember the gist of the story (so there isn't that 'what happens next?!' impetus) but not the details - and during the pandemic I started a new crafting hobby, so that rather eats into my reading time. Having said that, once I got into the book, I had moments of 'I want to know what happens next ... but I'm scared to find out' and 'I know what happens next - stop interrupting my reading so I can enjoy it!'. In other words, even on the third or fourth read, it was still intensely captivating. For instance, the predicament Egwene found herself in towards the end of the book always frustrated (angered, scared) me. This time, knowing how it goes, it still had me gripped and resenting any interruptions to my reading.

The book is very well written and I've always loved the details Jordan put in.

*** WARNING: the following may not make much sense unless you've already read the first book, The Eye of the World, (sorry) though I'll try and avoid any spoilers. ***

The narrative begins a few weeks after the momentous events at the end of the first book and though Rand believes he won a victory to end the war we know from the prologue that that was just the first battle. Lan, Moirain's warder, has some sympathy for him and trains him to handle Tam's heron-marked blade until Rand, hearing that the Amyrlin Seat is coming to Fal Dara bringing more Aes Sedai with her, feels that he has to leave. Egwene and Nynaeve return with the Amyrlin Seat to Tar Valon to begin training as Aes Sedai; Egwene is excited about learning though Nynaeve is determined to bypass novice status and get on with become a full Aes Sedai so she can pay Moiraine back for everything that has happened to the Emond's Fielders. Meanwhile Rand, Perrin and Mat - and Loial, the Ogier, who wants to continue having adventures with ta'veren (those around whom the Tapestry of Fate swirls) - accompany a rare artefact as it is taken to safety. And so the young people, who left Emond's Field at the beginning of the first book not knowing anything of the world outside the Two Rivers, journey on to further adventures.

‘Life is very unsettling with ta'veren for friends'

I like the way the Emond's Fielders often refer new things back to the way someone did something at home or to life in the Two Rivers; it shows that they are still linked to home despite their adventures and being put in the company of lords, ladies and rulers. As the original Two Rivers party splits up and meets more people (some equally important to the prophecies) the story also splits to follow their different view points. If you pay attention to the chapter headings, the accompanying icons help identify the points of view.

As others have noted, Jordan deliberately borrowed from well-known stories and legends; for instance, they stay at an inn called 'The Nine Rings', named for one of Rand's favourite adventure stories - I'm guessing this is a Tolkien homage. There are also a lot of names from Arthurian legends (and others) but I‘ve never managed to fit them into the same places. I remember resenting Min's foretelling (in the first book) that Egwene would not marry Rand because I've always wanted Guinevere and Arthur's story to end happily; mind you, she doesn't end up with Lancelot either, so at least we avoid that tragic triangle. I'm not sure if it was intentional or not but I also got a Pernese vibe; the Aes Sedai of the Green Ajah, with more than one Warder each, remind me of the green dragons of Pern and their riders, who are known for having several partners. And there's a little bit of the same kind of humour (but more subtle) as in the Belgariad, which I've just finished reading:

"I don't know how humans do it but among Ogier. ... If a girl sees a boy she likes, she goes to her mother. Or sometimes the mother sees someone she thinks is suitable. In any case, if they agree, the girl's mother goes to the boy's mother, and the next thing the boy knows, his marriage is all arranged."
"Doesn’t the boy have any say in it?" Mat asked incredulously.
...
Mat gave a guffaw loud enough to draw every head, but at Loial’s frantic gesture he spoke softly. "Among us, men do the choosing’
...
Rand frowned, remembering how Egwene had begun following them around when they were both little. It was then that Mistress al’Vere had begun taking a special interest in him …

"I think we do it the same way," he muttered, and when Mat laughed, he added, "Do you remember your father ever doing anything your mother really didn't want him to?" Mat opened his mouth with a grin, then frowned thoughtfully and closed it again.

I noticed, especially on these last two readings, that apart from Bela, Mandarb, Aldieb and occasionally Red, most of the other horses fall by the wayside, unnamed and I feel a bit sad for them.

"Loial, I mean to ride as hard as I can, and if I ride Red to death, I'll buy another horse, or steal another, if I have to."

I spent yesterday afternoon volunteering with the horses of Riding for the Disabled. I know that in a cast of thousands the animals aren't even bit players but it hurts when Jordan treats them so callously. Red has served Rand faithfully for a long time; I thought, since he's been given a name in this series, he'd get more respect.

I've always been curious about Tam al'Thor's younger days and I'd love to know the back story as to how he came to have a three thousand year old heron-marked sword but we don't find out much, unfortunately.

I did find, on these re-reads, the first four chapters where Rand is trying to leave Fal Dara a bit slow. The very first time it was a nice change of pace after all the action in the first book but recently I‘ve found it harder to re-read books. But the story really gets going after that. The first book ended momentously and, despite a slowish start, this second book did too. (I suppose the planned trilogy that turned into 14 books was still on track at that point.)

Well worth reading. And re-reading. Again.

Oh - one more thing:

There was a scraping sound from over Rand's head, and then Loial was letting himself down from the wall.' The Ogier did not even have to straighten his arms completely before his boots touched the ground. "Rash," he muttered. "You humans are always so rash and hasty. And now you have me doing it. Elder Haman would speak to me severely, and my mother..." The darkness hid his face, but Rand was sure his ears were twitching vigorously. "Rand, if you don't start being a little careful, you are going to get me in trouble."

I love Loial 😊

July 2022
4.5-5 stars

Litsy notes & quotes

Re-reading this series because I only got up to around book 10 the 1st time. I‘ve always wondered about Tam al Thor‘s story. Was it ever told in full?

xicanti We get little bits of it, but no big reveals.
humouress @xicanti Ah, that‘s a shame

Finding the first 4 chapters where Rand is running around Fal Dara a bit slow. The very first time it was a nice change of pace after all the action in the first book but recently I‘ve found it harder to re-read books and it‘s dragging a bit. Plus I keep getting interrupted by library books 😅

Still trying to clear a path through library books and group reads to read this book. I noticed, the last time I re-read it, that it wasn‘t until ch 9 that we leave Fal Dara even though Rand has been trying from ch 1. But it really gets going after that. Currently on ch 4 …
There are a lot of names from Arthurian legends (and others) but I‘ve never managed to fit them into the same places.

Ch 9: Leavetakings. In the courtyard with the horses now! I‘ve not been doing well with re-reads these past few years. I remember the general gist of books but not the details. But I do love the details in this story. I notice that apart from Bella, Mandarb, Aldieb and occasionally Red, most of the other horses fall by the wayside, unnamed. I feel a bit sad for them, especially since I volunteer with Riding for the Disabled.

Ch 12: Woven in the Pattern. The group from Emond‘s Field have split up and now Nynaeve and Egwene are leaving Fal Dara for Tar Valon.

‘Tension!‘ as we say in Singapore.
Not quite halfway through but not because I don‘t want to read it. I want to know … but I‘m scared to find out.

Picking up again. At this point it‘s not hard to jump back in; Rand is riding across the mountains with his 3 companions. And so we come (ch 21) to the inn of the Nine Rings, named after a story that is one of Rand‘s favourites. Hmm … now where have I heard a story about 9 rings?…
I‘m finding this story very readable even though I‘m re-reading it. I‘m still going ‘I can‘t look …. but what happens next?‘

Ch 23: the girls have reached the White Tower at last. Egwene is excited but Nynaeve is determined to pass her testing to bypass novice status to become an Accepted so she can pay Moiraine back for everything that has happened to the Emondsfielders.

There was a scraping sound from over Rand's head, and then Loial was letting himself down from the wall.' The Ogier did not even have to straighten his arms completely before his boots touched the ground. "Rash," he muttered. "You humans are always so rash and hasty. And now you have me doing it. Elder Haman would speak to me severely, and my mother..." The darkness hid his face, but Rand was sure his ears were twitching vigorously. "Rand, if you don't start being a little careful, you are going to get me in trouble."

I love Loial 😊

"Loial, I mean to ride as hard as I can, and if I ride Red to death, I'll buy another horse, or steal another, if I have to."

I spent yesterday afternoon volunteering with the horses of Riding for the Disabled. I know that in a cast of thousands the animals aren‘t even bit players but it hurts when Jordan treats them so callously. Red has served Rand faithfully for a long time; I thought, since he‘s been given a name in this series, he‘d get more respect.

"I don't know how humans do it but among Ogier. ... If a girl sees a boy she likes, she goes to her mother. Or sometimes the mother sees someone she thinks is suitable. In any case, if they agree, the girl's mother goes to the boy's mother, and the next thing the boy knows, his marriage is all arranged."
"Doesn’t the boy have any say in it?" Mat asked incredulously.
...
Mat gave a guffaw loud enough to draw every head, but at Loial’s frantic gesture he spoke softly. "Among us, men do the choosing, and no wife can stop a man doing what he wants.’
...
Rand frowned, remembering how Egwene had begun following them around when they were both little. It was then that Mistress al’Vere had begun taking a special interest in him …

"I think we do it the same way," he muttered, and when Mat laughed, he added, "Do you remember your father ever doing anything your mother really didn't want him to?" Mat opened his mouth with a grin, then frowned thoughtfully and closed it again.

‘Life is very unsettling with ta‘veren for friends‘

The Green Ajah, with more than one Warder each, remind me of the green dragons of Pern nd their riders, who … are known for having several partners, shall we say.

The predicament Egwene found herself in always frustrated me. This time, knowing how it goes, it still had me gripped and resenting any interruptions to my reading.

The first book ended momentously and, despite a slowish start, this second book did too. I suppose the planned trilogy that turned into 14 books was still on track at that point.

Notes from 3 years ago:

I‘ve just started ‘The Great Hunt‘ for the Wheel of Time group read.

I‘d like to know more about Tam al‘Thor‘s younger days and how he came to have a heron-mark sword.

I‘ve read ‘The Eye of the World‘ 3 or 4 times but it‘s only the 2nd time for this. Taking me a while to get into it. The 1st was obviously 1st in a trilogy but already this is slowing. Taken Rand 4 chapters to hide from the Ads Sedai. Also, there‘s less anticipation for me.

Well my reading mojo started coming back but then Life interrupted - we‘re truly in the run up to GCSEs now.
Chapter 10: there was an instance of déjà vu that I had forgotten; I wonder if it will be addressed (specifically) later? (leaving Two Rivers on the ferry, chased by trollocs)

If you pay attention to the chapter headings, the icon helps identify the POV. Points of view are going to multiply from here on, as the original Two Rivers Party splits up and meets more people (some equally important to the prophecies)

I like the way the Emond Fielders often refer new things back to the way someone did something at home or life in the Two Rivers. Hmm; (ch15) could be our world and con trails?

Ch 20: An inn called ‘The Nine Rings‘, named for one of Rand‘s favourite adventure stories. A Tolkien homage?