Ok, I never read fantasy novels. But low and behold, I just finished the Stormlight Archive Series by Brandon Sanderson — for the second time — and it’s currently comprised of three very long books (more books to come.) What happened? I guess you could say that my son asked me to read it. Then my other son. Then my husband. In fact, my husband would carry his phone around playing the Audible edition. The books are kind of addicting.
So I opened up the Audible edition on my iphone — The Way of Kings (Book 1)– and started to listen as I drove. I was confused by this character Szeth that could lash himself to the walls and ceilings. Naturally, being a realist, I thought of ropes lashing him. I was totally confused. I really should have purchased the paperback edition and read the appendix (called the Ars Arcanum — Latin for The Mysterious Art) that explains the terms in this new fantasy world. But I pushed on, restarting the book about three times. Finally, I decided to just keep going — and I listened onward, not really understanding what was going on with the story. Push through, I said.
In fact, I would listen at night, and fall asleep, missing some parts. But I wanted to carry through. [I hate it when I recommend a book and even give one away and that person never reads it.] So I continued. After all, these were my sons and husband who so desperately wanted me to read Stormlight. My youngest son hasn’t read it yet, but he found on Reddit that many people recommend the books for people who are depressed. Well, I guess we all suffer some depression just by living in this mortal earth — some more than others. But yes, there are many great characters that deal with feelings of failure who learn to overcome. One of the quotes I have reflected on is about “Journey before Destination” — and that it isn’t the first step that matters, but it’s the next step — if you stop after a failure, your journey ends there — failed. You have to take the next step.
I finally bought all three books in the series — I like to read as well, and I needed to see how names were spelled and worlds, and go back to read something I really liked or missed. I’m more of a visual learner than listening learner. I need to read the words. But I love listening to books. And these three books in the Stormlight series — The Way of Kings, Words of Radiance, and Oathbringer are my favorite escapes into fantasy and learning. Yes, I learn so much about life in these fictional characters. Thank you Brandon Sanderson. Now, I anxiously await Book 4.
