Clarification! A friend mentioned some may interpret what I said about Sanderson’s immersive writing as “worldbuilding” so I figured I’d just clarify that here just in case. By immersion, I was talking about atmosphere; how things look, feel, smell etc. I like to get a strong visual picture of settings, so that’s what I was talking about there.
I agree! The biggest evidence of this was how people had such a hard time picturing Shadesmar in Oathbringer that it had to be put on the Rhythm Of War cover. I agree with everything you've said about Sanderson. He has DEFINITELY improved in execution of plots and character work. The execution in Mistborn and Warbreaker felt clunky in certain parts e.g. in Warbreaker, how he tackles Lightsong's storyline and tried to tie it to the main one felt really messy and in Hero Of Ages, I didn't feel satisfied with the way the ending came about. But to me, Stormlight is his masterpiece and I know you said there is plenty of meandering there, but to me, Rhythm Of War felt less-meandery(for lack of a better term). It wasn't really tight but there was a certain level of intimacy to it especially with the characters, one that was lacking in Oathbringer.
I do agree with this as well. Neal Stephenson writes books that are super complicated, extremely long, and that take their time building the picture of the world. The payoff, though, is that I can be 700 pages into a book and have super clear images in my head of what the environment and characters look like. It's almost subconscious, I'm not actively sitting there trying to picture it, it's just that the author has painted such a clear picture throughout the book that you can't help it.
This is really important to me both in Film and Literature. I can forget characters, dialogue, and plot details over time. But I never forget the feeling/vibe of the world I got to experience. There's a lot of people who try to tell new writers not to spend too much time describing things, and it shouldn't be overdone like anything. But I think it's lead to writers thinking less description can mean better written. It's a shame.
I agree with you on this as well. I know some authors (Robert Jordan, Tokien, et al) are criticized for being overly descriptive, but I don't feel like I'm in some of the places in Stormlight based off the way Sanderson describes them as opposed to the places in Mistborn
Hmmmmmm..... Yes. And no. Idk... I'm here as a writer who makes her world needlessly complicated... Mostly because I don't want to make a second one, but that aside... I've watched some of Sanderson's classes on TH-cam, and in them he talks about the order he wrote the books in, which is complicated and not the order they were published, but I'm no expert and haven't even got my hands on any of his books to read yet, so I won't go into that, but he also talks about the worlds a bit... How big they are on a scale of how much world building there was done. From what I've gathered (again, not an expert, and haven't read anything yet), the stormlight archive world is much much more expansive than at least most of the others, which can be both a good and bad thing. Based on my personal experience writing in my one world (that is simultaneously more than one world), the more expansive a world (technically, for me, a part of a world) is, the more likely I am to graze over parts that I should spend more time on, because there's so much I want to spend time on that I don't have enough for all of it. There's also the fact that there are certain things about the world the reader may have to understand as soon as possible to understand the plot, characters, or something else (for example, I learned the hard way that it is essential to make sure the reader understands the characters are attending a magic school before that fact becomes plot relevant recently), and for that reason, immersion in the immediate setting can be extremely difficult early on... Not impossible, but extremely difficult. Basically, what I'm trying to say, is that, especially in Stormlight Archive, the lack of immersion could be inherently tied to the world building. But you do have a point with this, yes. Okay- That was a lot... I'm sorry to ramble like that....
Merph just made one of the greatest puns I’ve ever heard, and it was unintentional: “He uses the same turn of phrase OVEr and OVEr and OVEr again” This is incredible
I actually prefer that "negative" about Sanderson. I always tend to skim through complex description and prefer just getting a general vibe of places, so some image jumps to my head, and focus on the plot/dialogues ect.
I’m the same, but I find that even in sanderson’s more descriptive moments, he never really over-describes, but yeah, I don’t care for unnecessary description
Yes, I also struggle with physical description, but because I don't actually visualise anything I read, I am there for the vibes, thoughts, relationships, all the abstract stuff :)
@@Christinka888 I'm with you in most things. I cannot visualize whole scenes often times, but key details, moments, and the feeling of atmosphere. But even in this, I think Sanderson's previous works did more justice. It played in heavily for instance in the feel of the apocalyptic collapse in mistborn era 1, the ash, the gloom, the constant feeling of cities always being buried, but being kept alive by the sweat and labor of laborers, who increasingly have less time to do so. That, with things like the dreams of green, and other conversations that played in with the story, from descriptions, I followed quite well, and I loved the dynamic in that world, from the -fog- mists, to everything. That, I consider master class for atmospheric theming, even for someone who still vastly prefers character development as a whole (which did improve with him in later books). I still do find myself wishing he could end up making me feel for the area in quite the same way as he did in MB Era 1.
Merphy trying to hold onto all of Sanderson's books looked like she was trying to wrestle a toddler that wanted nothing more than to wiggle around on the floor.
The way Backman was able to perfectly balance all the characters in Beartown amazes me. Each character has a purpose and a distinct personality. I think he tried to capture something similar with Anxious People but some of the characters just felt like caricatures in my opinion.
I don't think those are meant to be love stories, but people meeting and having certain feelings they think are love is a pretext for further developments that really matter. Frenchman's Creek is more of a romance, but mostly in its adaptations, not so much in the novel itself. Rebecca and My Cousin Rachel focus on mystery, not on love.
@@oana-mariauliu5828 I don’t know if that was in answer to me, but to clarify I wasn’t saying her books were romance. Just that she wasn’t good at writing romantic elements to her stories
I think Terry Pratchett's work shows a really clear example of change; the most obvious example I've seen. His writing goes from amateur (but good), to finding his style and mastering it, to becoming increasingly unwell and unable to edit his work (I think he had to dictate the last couple as he couldn't really use the computer any more) 😞
Sanderson was interesting to read. You could definitely see that Elantris was an early novel like you said. I read Elantris, War Breaker, and all of the Mistborn stuff in one year and it was super fascinating to watch how much he improved through the novels. He is one of the reasons that I am willing to give new authors a second chance.
I would say Elantris was the only one that I felt was from an author who clearly was from an unpolished author. For only being one book, I think that already speaks to his overall competence. Warbreaker is still in the top 3 for me books from him, even over most of his newer stuff. Mistborn was epic, and it was well realized. Even if he didn't go into as much character development in a much more concise, movie type atmosphere of his plot (even why he does not want to make it a show, but stormlight, yes). They were 'early' books, but still very well realized, and polished start to finish I think.
That is the most beautiful set if Jane Austen I have ever seen! I think you can tell she aged as she wrote and for me I have loved her books in that order as well. The older I get the more I love her later works. I was very lucky to almost grow up with her.
I’m just starting my Sanderson obsession. I’ve read Elantris, warbreaker, the final empire, and am halfway through well of Ascension. I already notice the atmosphere aspect you’re talking about. The settings are so immersive. The imagery is burned into my mind. Even though I haven’t yet reached his later works, I agree with what you said about plot. His plots in the books I’ve read so far are masterful, but there are points where it doesn’t really flow that well. Looking forward to see how he improves. I’m trying to read all of his work. I just hope that he doesn’t release ten more books before I’m done with mistborn .
Elantris is my fav Sanderson so far, exactly because of the immersion difference you mentioned. I've felt a slight distance in his other works that just make me crave the thorough dive into the world I felt with Elantris
That red book falling 😂😂👍👍👍 Merphy takes Fredrik Backman books away, red book tries to reach out for its friends, but fails, and decides to just lay there.
My first Sanderson was Skyward, which I picked up on a whim, and I am so happy I did. His adult novels can seem intimidating to some (me). When I fell in love with his writing in a more digestible novel it made me want to read more. I'm now starting Mistborn.
Yesss and yesss to Ove! I will not tolerate any Ove or Benjamin Ovich slander. Some of, if not the best characters of fiction that I've read/watched. Ove had me thinking for such a long time that I was moved to write a poem about him👀. I want to reread it just so I can do it justice. There is no fictional character who's ever done this to me before.
Another interesting thing about Jane Austen: She wrote her first three books (Northanger Abbey, Sense and Sensibility, and Pride and Prejudice) over many many years but her final three books (Mansfield Park, Emma, and Persuasion) over a much shorter time. (Correct me if I'm wrong.) This is because she wrote her first three books before she was getting regularly published, so she wrote and rewrote them throughout her life, whereas she wrote her last three intending to publish them right away.
Btw, about the pronunciation of Ove. It is pronounced more like Uve. Kinda like the vowel from 'cool' which is then followed by the word 'vet' without the T. So more like Oove, I suppose. I don't know do you care but I thought it'd be fun to know.
I love the commitment to the bit trying to hold all Sanderson books. And I can't thank you enough recommending his books, I knew of him but never read his books until you talked about Mistborn and he quickly became one of my favorite authors.
I don't know how, but most of your videos inspire me to write even when it's not the focus. The way you talk about stories, plots and characters helps me with my creativity and I instantly want to sit down and write something :D So thank you!
Sanderson keeps getting better for me: Elantris < Warbreaker < Mistborn < Stormlight. I really struggle to get into Elantris, but Stormlight is my favorite in-progress fantasy series in existence.
I loved this video! Fredrik Backman is one of my favourite authors too but I never thought about these details you mentioned in your video! I find his writing even more fascinating now 😍
One thing Brandon has improved on a lot is time jumps. With the Mistborn trilogy there was a year or two between every book but it felt like characters' development was kinda on pause between books, whereas in the most recent Stormlight it actually feels like that time has passed and those people have changed a bit through that
Your many noises while trying to hold up all of Sanderson’s books are cracking me up lmao Finished Ove based off your recommendation the other day and I’m starting Frenchman’s Creek next because of you! Can’t wait to dive into both authors’ works even more 🖤
I LOVED this video!! Such a great perspective/idea and I loved hearing all your thoughts ! I love how you describe Northanger 🤣👏🏻 I have always said how it’s HYSTERICAL and her sass is unparalleled in that book, and now it makes total sense as to why lol. When you described Sanderson it made me think of Tolkien (his worlds/stories being so deep and huge that you need a concordance- made me think of all the folklore of middle earth and all the backup works supporting the hobbit and LOTR). Also, I super bad need to read some du Maurier!!!
I feel the same about Stormlight in terms of getting immersed in the setting, and I wonder if part of it is because Stormlight is quite a bit more alien in terms of environment than some of his other stuff. I think he is painting a really good picture with all the rockbuds, and bug animals, and the constant presence of spren, but that maybe its just really hard to get immersed in a world so far removed from our own that people don't know what dirt or birds are.
I would love to hear someone mention Sanderson and specifically talk about the Steelheart trilogy. No one ever does, and OMG, that trilogy was INCREDIBLE.
I love this Booktube.... Especially your videos.... It makes me feel peaceful and calm whenever I am in a depressed or a mad state. Thank you, Merphy.❤️
So I got back into reading in 2019. When I asked for suggestions, many people said Sanderson, but they said to skip Elantris. My interest was not only his reading good stories, but also seeing how authors developed over time (since I'm also trying to get back into writing). I enjoyed it, so I'm not really sure what all the grief was about, but I can definitely tell how much he developed as time went on.
Merphy, I sooo love your videos. Mostly I just watch wrap-ups on booktube channels. But your other videos are so creative and interesting, that I can't help watching them. Thank you for your ideas and thoughts:)
This was a super interesting video, thank you Merphy! You gave me now with it a new perspective on Sanderson. I struggled with Elantris so much because of the focus in Sandersons writing more on setting and worldbuilding instead of the characters. I just could not really relate to the characters but could totally imagine the place I was in but unfortunately, I prefer characters over worldbuilding and was because of that mostly bored while reading it and even DNF'ed it at the end. But now that I know that Sanderson improves at the character-front and drops a bit the descriptions of places I think I will give him a second chance, so thanks again for that! :-)
I so very much enjoyed listening to you describe Sanderson's works. It becomes very obvious what a fan you are of him. You get so passionate and excited. Very cool!! I'm sure I've mentioned this before, but you turned me on to Sanderson, for which I'm very grateful 😁😁. I'm currently working through the Stormlight Archives, but in between the 2nd and 3rd I read The Emperor's Soul, which I absolutely loved!! Sanderson has become one of my very favorite writers. Thanks for another great video! Lots of fun!! 👍👍👏👏👏😁😁
I love watching your vids, Merphy. I am getting ready to read Sanderson's work and I am thankful you hyped him up so much. My TBR list is growing! Thanks for the spoiler free content:)
Maybe it’s because I don’t read a lot of sci-fi but Starsight was much more immersive for me than Skyward was. I could imagine everything and everywhere Spensa was interacting with. I have a very clear vision for the “maze” and her room and the “city” and even for the delvers. I don’t know, I loved it so much! hahaha But I feel the same way about Mistborn. I can also envision all of the final empire, so, I don’t know... I think he’s a very immersive writer and has always been.
Watching you wrestling with Sanderson's books reminded me of someone trying to vlog while holding a lively puppy. These were great writers and I agree with your takes on them, but they are all very good from the get go. It would be interesting to see your take on writers who perhaps where not so accomplished in their younger days, and trace how they have matured as writers over time.
I just finished Mistborn era 1 and in just this three books I go from "I don't get why all the people talks about this man" to "This improvement in just three books is amazing and I want more"
I think one author who's very much changed their style of writing is Patrick Rothfuss. His first book was very heavy in velvety prose, and pretty unique in narrative voice. Doors of Stone, however, is such a different literary experience entirely! It seems to change every day from a once-finished product into something completely different and wholly unique to Mr. Rothfuss. I truly believe he will champion in a new era of literary experiences!
Yea!!!! Seeing my name the 1st time on ur patron list makes me geek out a little too much lmao 😂 The group is fantastic- great conversations and so welcoming! Love it and I’m glad I’m apart of it ♥️
First I found hellofutureme then Daniel Greene now Merphy. Subscribed! Became much more of a book reader in 2020 and even if I'm not planning to read everything talked about. You videos are great watches and, as with Daniel, I'm learning about books I wouldn't have known about otherwise.
Love all of Backman’s books but My Grandmother... (only because I did not get the fantasy references). Loved Ove AND Anxious People. Get the zooming out. Love love love Backman.
I just finished Anxious people and I loved it so much xD This and "Grandma book" are my favourite books by him (read 5 books till now). Aand I see a pattern that our likes are polar opposits :P
I've also noticed that Sanderson pulled way back on environmental descriptions. I actually think it's a good thing, because it allows me to imagine the settings for myself and I can paint a really nice picture in my head. He usually gives just enough description of a scene for me to understand what's going on and then my brain fills in the rest. It let's me imagine things more than, say, The Lies of Loche Lamora where I personally felt bogged down with wayyy too many descriptions and it completely pulled my out of the story rather than immersing me.
This is such a fascinating video! I love your breakdowns! I love the immersion of Elantris but I haven't read the later work as much, so I'm curious how it'll seem to me when I finally get to it.
Ahhh yes the Sand Man I do really love his work. I am interested to see what you think of the short stories in Arcanum Unbound I personally think they are very immersing.
Thank you for introducing me to Backman and Du Maurier- Beartown and Rebecca are my favorite books. Looking forward to reading more of their books and reading Jane Austen and Brandon Sanderson for the first time.
My goal this year is to read every book left on my bookshelf. After I‘ve done that, I‘m buying new books. My list is: Rebecca A Man Called Ove A Prince And A Spy I‘m writing this because 2 of the 3 books are in this video, lol
I finally read Rebecca and it was as good as you said. It was so atmospheric and well-plotted. Such a good time. Thank you for continuing to recommend it!
I love Rebecca. It was my first Du Maurier as well and now she is one of my favourite authors. I liked My Cousine Rachel, but Rebecca has the ending, that still hunts me, more than one year after finishing it and I love it so much. I knew and loved the story before I even read the book, because I knew a Musical based on it, but they changed the ending so it wasn't open at all. This is why the book ending impressed me so much. I did not expect my opinion about what happed to change at all, but I just don't know what really happened and I never will.
In reference to Sanderson's lack of "immersion" in a scene, I have a feeling it's about recent tastes in readers. I'm with you. I want to be able to see, and smell, and feel things through the characters senses, Like I am there with them. It seems many people now find it boring. I don't. When I read stuff like that i find I'm no longer reading, I am there seeing and feeling, and smelling it all.
I do find it interesting how although Austen's tropes and themes remain consistent throughout her work, she seems to show greater sympathy to her characters, particularly her heroines, later in life. It would be hard to imagine Austen poking fun at Anne Elliot the way she does Catherine. And even Emma, for all her flaws, is still treated sympathetically by Austen. I think it shows Austen's more mature regard for women who err beyond simple naivety- women who recognize their past mistakes, and work to change them.
Even before the video was fully loaded, I thought to myself "Fredrik Backman" 😂 I read Anxious People recently and I liked it, but it wasn't great. It was the first book of his I read but I'm definitely looking foreward to more
You should definitely read Brit Marie was here by Fredrik Backman. It is one of my favourite books from him apart from Beartown, Us Against You and A Man called Ove. All this books made me emotional and contain one of my favourite quotes. I consider both Ove and Brit Marie friends.That's how I felt after reading those books. They don't get on my nerves, I just understand them. The only two books I haven't read from him are And every morining home gets longer and longer( I know how much you love that book) and Anxious People but I definitely plan to read them at some point. Things my son needs to know about the world is also great and I also like My grandmother sends her regards and apologies. My least favourite book from him is A deal of a lifetime, but even that one is good and you can learn something from it. He is also one of my favourite authors and I believe his books should be read as cautionary tales where you can learn something from, even the least favourite ones.
I haven't read Skyward yet, but I don't think Sanderson really writes YA. He just writes good stories, many of which are accessible enough for older kids and teens to read and relate to.
Another author who writes faster than our collective breath is R.A Salvatore. Would LOVE to hear your thoughts on some of his work if you ever pick him up. Drizzt Do'Urden is such an amazing character!!!
This was such an interesting video topic!! For me, I was sad to have missed out on the wonder of Mistborn, having already ready Stormlight, my expectations for Brandon Sanderson were too high. I'm also really interested to see how much more I notice the Author change in my re-read now that I know Brandon better. . .
12:31 I brought my first Jane Austen book, Northanger Abbey at the beginning of this year based on your recommendations.. it was also the only one I could find lol.. I'm super excited to get to it.. I hope I enjoy it.. thanks Merph
I''ve only read two of these auhtors although They're definitely on my TBR to get too (eventually). Jane Austen I'm still figuring out. I really enjoyed Emma, Northanger Abbey was different, but also enjoyable in its own right. I'm not able to comprehend the scope of how her writing changed over the years, although NA felt more cheeky with its interesting narrator and the poking fun at book nerds. Sanderson on the other hand, is my man. He's the bomb diggity dog. I love the detail in his books. I think, when comparing SA and Elantris in particular, the scopes of his descriptions changed and got bigger. In Elantris, I loved some of the moments, but there is so much of the world we don't know about and I just wanted to know MORE. Especially with the magic tease at the end with the antagonists. I felt like Sanderson knew about how the rest of the world worked, but didn't tell us. SA however, we know quite a bit about the world at large and he keeps just dumping on us all the information and it is glorious. In context of your video, it seems that he has come to focus more on the world at large and that has decreased his focus on how he is putting the reader in that moment.
![My Favorite Authors (2020 Update) [CC]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/KduClj1AUfU/mqdefault.jpg)
Clarification!
A friend mentioned some may interpret what I said about Sanderson’s immersive writing as “worldbuilding” so I figured I’d just clarify that here just in case. By immersion, I was talking about atmosphere; how things look, feel, smell etc. I like to get a strong visual picture of settings, so that’s what I was talking about there.
I agree! The biggest evidence of this was how people had such a hard time picturing Shadesmar in Oathbringer that it had to be put on the Rhythm Of War cover. I agree with everything you've said about Sanderson. He has DEFINITELY improved in execution of plots and character work. The execution in Mistborn and Warbreaker felt clunky in certain parts e.g. in Warbreaker, how he tackles Lightsong's storyline and tried to tie it to the main one felt really messy and in Hero Of Ages, I didn't feel satisfied with the way the ending came about. But to me, Stormlight is his masterpiece and I know you said there is plenty of meandering there, but to me, Rhythm Of War felt less-meandery(for lack of a better term). It wasn't really tight but there was a certain level of intimacy to it especially with the characters, one that was lacking in Oathbringer.
I do agree with this as well.
Neal Stephenson writes books that are super complicated, extremely long, and that take their time building the picture of the world. The payoff, though, is that I can be 700 pages into a book and have super clear images in my head of what the environment and characters look like.
It's almost subconscious, I'm not actively sitting there trying to picture it, it's just that the author has painted such a clear picture throughout the book that you can't help it.
This is really important to me both in Film and Literature. I can forget characters, dialogue, and plot details over time. But I never forget the feeling/vibe of the world I got to experience. There's a lot of people who try to tell new writers not to spend too much time describing things, and it shouldn't be overdone like anything. But I think it's lead to writers thinking less description can mean better written. It's a shame.
I agree with you on this as well. I know some authors (Robert Jordan, Tokien, et al) are criticized for being overly descriptive, but I don't feel like I'm in some of the places in Stormlight based off the way Sanderson describes them as opposed to the places in Mistborn
Hmmmmmm..... Yes.
And no.
Idk... I'm here as a writer who makes her world needlessly complicated... Mostly because I don't want to make a second one, but that aside... I've watched some of Sanderson's classes on TH-cam, and in them he talks about the order he wrote the books in, which is complicated and not the order they were published, but I'm no expert and haven't even got my hands on any of his books to read yet, so I won't go into that, but he also talks about the worlds a bit... How big they are on a scale of how much world building there was done. From what I've gathered (again, not an expert, and haven't read anything yet), the stormlight archive world is much much more expansive than at least most of the others, which can be both a good and bad thing.
Based on my personal experience writing in my one world (that is simultaneously more than one world), the more expansive a world (technically, for me, a part of a world) is, the more likely I am to graze over parts that I should spend more time on, because there's so much I want to spend time on that I don't have enough for all of it. There's also the fact that there are certain things about the world the reader may have to understand as soon as possible to understand the plot, characters, or something else (for example, I learned the hard way that it is essential to make sure the reader understands the characters are attending a magic school before that fact becomes plot relevant recently), and for that reason, immersion in the immediate setting can be extremely difficult early on... Not impossible, but extremely difficult.
Basically, what I'm trying to say, is that, especially in Stormlight Archive, the lack of immersion could be inherently tied to the world building. But you do have a point with this, yes.
Okay- That was a lot... I'm sorry to ramble like that....
Watching Merphy get so excited to talk about Sanderson while struggling to hold all those books was very amusing. 🥰
"Sanderson, he writes faster than you and I breathe"
Hahah the TRUTH in that statement!
My friend in seventh grade: so he writes at least one ridiculously long book per year....
Me: okay, where do I start?
Friend: .......Mistborn.........
@@jackson5802 hahaha I love it!
I think we can all agree Sanderson is a mad man with the amount he writes..
When Merphy almost says "prose are" and has to correct to "prose is", you know she's spent too much time with a certain Disheveled Goblin.
Or she just cares about speaking correctly, which is always appreciated for English major me.
Who's the disheveled goblin looll😂😂 should I know this??
@@khadhija7 It’s Daniel Greene 😂😂😂 Disheveled goblin is a running joke on his channel, I have no idea how it started though
@@kateworkman921 English majors unite! Repping UCLA!😁
Merph just made one of the greatest puns I’ve ever heard, and it was unintentional:
“He uses the same turn of phrase OVEr and OVEr and OVEr again”
This is incredible
Yeah, but did you catch her talking about Jane Austin’s “Bold and ‘Austin’tatious” characters?
She’s gotta be doing this on purpose
@@AnEruditeAdventure Was gonna make a comment on "ostentatious" at the Jane Austen part. 😏
Ove being Backmann's first book just astounds me. He's so talented.
I actually prefer that "negative" about Sanderson. I always tend to skim through complex description and prefer just getting a general vibe of places, so some image jumps to my head, and focus on the plot/dialogues ect.
I’m the same, but I find that even in sanderson’s more descriptive moments, he never really over-describes, but yeah, I don’t care for unnecessary description
Yes, I also struggle with physical description, but because I don't actually visualise anything I read, I am there for the vibes, thoughts, relationships, all the abstract stuff :)
@@Christinka888 I'm with you in most things. I cannot visualize whole scenes often times, but key details, moments, and the feeling of atmosphere.
But even in this, I think Sanderson's previous works did more justice. It played in heavily for instance in the feel of the apocalyptic collapse in mistborn era 1, the ash, the gloom, the constant feeling of cities always being buried, but being kept alive by the sweat and labor of laborers, who increasingly have less time to do so. That, with things like the dreams of green, and other conversations that played in with the story, from descriptions, I followed quite well, and I loved the dynamic in that world, from the -fog- mists, to everything.
That, I consider master class for atmospheric theming, even for someone who still vastly prefers character development as a whole (which did improve with him in later books). I still do find myself wishing he could end up making me feel for the area in quite the same way as he did in MB Era 1.
Everyone says "I'm early!", but no one asks "How is Merphy?"
I’m doing well :)
@@merphynapier42 Happy to hear :)
@Warriorkiller666 Damn it, beat me to it
@Warriorkiller666 I can answer that! "Merphy *is* because her parents *are* ." (Channeling Inkspren vibes)
@Warriorkiller666 oh, haha, never watched those lol
Merphy trying to hold onto all of Sanderson's books looked like she was trying to wrestle a toddler that wanted nothing more than to wiggle around on the floor.
Sanderson writes sooo much I'm sure his lifetime's work will make a complete library.
The way Backman was able to perfectly balance all the characters in Beartown amazes me. Each character has a purpose and a distinct personality. I think he tried to capture something similar with Anxious People but some of the characters just felt like caricatures in my opinion.
Hurrah! You finally said du Maurier isn't good at romance. I feel so validated 😂
I even hated romance in Rebeca and people consider it one of best love stories.
I don't think those are meant to be love stories, but people meeting and having certain feelings they think are love is a pretext for further developments that really matter. Frenchman's Creek is more of a romance, but mostly in its adaptations, not so much in the novel itself. Rebecca and My Cousin Rachel focus on mystery, not on love.
@@oana-mariauliu5828 I don’t know if that was in answer to me, but to clarify I wasn’t saying her books were romance. Just that she wasn’t good at writing romantic elements to her stories
Merphy struggling to hold Sanderson's books was everything xD
I think Terry Pratchett's work shows a really clear example of change; the most obvious example I've seen. His writing goes from amateur (but good), to finding his style and mastering it, to becoming increasingly unwell and unable to edit his work (I think he had to dictate the last couple as he couldn't really use the computer any more) 😞
The setting and tone of Discworld also change a lot. It goes from being a parody of sword and sorcery to almost Dickensian urban fantasy.
You trying to carry all of those Brandon Sanderson books was funny.
Sanderson was interesting to read. You could definitely see that Elantris was an early novel like you said. I read Elantris, War Breaker, and all of the Mistborn stuff in one year and it was super fascinating to watch how much he improved through the novels. He is one of the reasons that I am willing to give new authors a second chance.
I would say Elantris was the only one that I felt was from an author who clearly was from an unpolished author. For only being one book, I think that already speaks to his overall competence. Warbreaker is still in the top 3 for me books from him, even over most of his newer stuff. Mistborn was epic, and it was well realized. Even if he didn't go into as much character development in a much more concise, movie type atmosphere of his plot (even why he does not want to make it a show, but stormlight, yes). They were 'early' books, but still very well realized, and polished start to finish I think.
No question about it; Brandon Sanderson's prose has gotten soooo much better over the years compared with his early books.
Jane Austen's bold and... Austentacious characters 😎
When I first read Elantris I was fascinated by it, like a lot! And then people told me to just wait for Mistborn, and even further Stormlight.
That is the most beautiful set if Jane Austen I have ever seen! I think you can tell she aged as she wrote and for me I have loved her books in that order as well. The older I get the more I love her later works. I was very lucky to almost grow up with her.
I need to read more Frederik Backman! I agree, the characters are fantastic and they feel real
The letter from Sanderson in WoT was heartbreaking 😭
I’m just starting my Sanderson obsession. I’ve read Elantris, warbreaker, the final empire, and am halfway through well of Ascension. I already notice the atmosphere aspect you’re talking about. The settings are so immersive. The imagery is burned into my mind.
Even though I haven’t yet reached his later works, I agree with what you said about plot. His plots in the books I’ve read so far are masterful, but there are points where it doesn’t really flow that well. Looking forward to see how he improves. I’m trying to read all of his work. I just hope that he doesn’t release ten more books before I’m done with mistborn .
I wish i could wipe my memory and read the stormlight books all over again. You are in for an absolute treat.
Elantris is my fav Sanderson so far, exactly because of the immersion difference you mentioned. I've felt a slight distance in his other works that just make me crave the thorough dive into the world I felt with Elantris
That red book falling 😂😂👍👍👍
Merphy takes Fredrik Backman books away, red book tries to reach out for its friends, but fails, and decides to just lay there.
My first Sanderson was Skyward, which I picked up on a whim, and I am so happy I did. His adult novels can seem intimidating to some (me). When I fell in love with his writing in a more digestible novel it made me want to read more. I'm now starting Mistborn.
Are you done with mistborn now?
IDK why, but that book falling made me laugh.
That had the same energy as bread falling
Legend has it Sanderson wrote 10 more books since this video was released
Yesss and yesss to Ove! I will not tolerate any Ove or Benjamin Ovich slander. Some of, if not the best characters of fiction that I've read/watched. Ove had me thinking for such a long time that I was moved to write a poem about him👀. I want to reread it just so I can do it justice. There is no fictional character who's ever done this to me before.
Another interesting thing about Jane Austen: She wrote her first three books (Northanger Abbey, Sense and Sensibility, and Pride and Prejudice) over many many years but her final three books (Mansfield Park, Emma, and Persuasion) over a much shorter time. (Correct me if I'm wrong.) This is because she wrote her first three books before she was getting regularly published, so she wrote and rewrote them throughout her life, whereas she wrote her last three intending to publish them right away.
I'm just reading Mistborn era 2 myself, and I can't wait for you to review it! So much world-building that I did NOT see coming!
Btw, about the pronunciation of Ove. It is pronounced more like Uve. Kinda like the vowel from 'cool' which is then followed by the word 'vet' without the T. So more like Oove, I suppose. I don't know do you care but I thought it'd be fun to know.
I love the commitment to the bit trying to hold all Sanderson books.
And I can't thank you enough recommending his books, I knew of him but never read his books until you talked about Mistborn and he quickly became one of my favorite authors.
holding that Sanderson collection is its own squirmy toddler
I don't know how, but most of your videos inspire me to write even when it's not the focus. The way you talk about stories, plots and characters helps me with my creativity and I instantly want to sit down and write something :D So thank you!
Reading mistborn era 2 right now, it's so much fun!
Sanderson keeps getting better for me:
Elantris < Warbreaker < Mistborn < Stormlight. I really struggle to get into Elantris, but Stormlight is my favorite in-progress fantasy series in existence.
Any Merphy video mentioning Backman. Me: Swoon, She is talking about my favourite author!!! I love her, I love him. This is the best day ever!
I loved this video! Fredrik Backman is one of my favourite authors too but I never thought about these details you mentioned in your video! I find his writing even more fascinating now 😍
One thing Brandon has improved on a lot is time jumps.
With the Mistborn trilogy there was a year or two between every book but it felt like characters' development was kinda on pause between books, whereas in the most recent Stormlight it actually feels like that time has passed and those people have changed a bit through that
Your many noises while trying to hold up all of Sanderson’s books are cracking me up lmao
Finished Ove based off your recommendation the other day and I’m starting Frenchman’s Creek next because of you! Can’t wait to dive into both authors’ works even more 🖤
I LOVED this video!! Such a great perspective/idea and I loved hearing all your thoughts ! I love how you describe Northanger 🤣👏🏻 I have always said how it’s HYSTERICAL and her sass is unparalleled in that book, and now it makes total sense as to why lol.
When you described Sanderson it made me think of Tolkien (his worlds/stories being so deep and huge that you need a concordance- made me think of all the folklore of middle earth and all the backup works supporting the hobbit and LOTR).
Also, I super bad need to read some du Maurier!!!
I feel the same about Stormlight in terms of getting immersed in the setting, and I wonder if part of it is because Stormlight is quite a bit more alien in terms of environment than some of his other stuff. I think he is painting a really good picture with all the rockbuds, and bug animals, and the constant presence of spren, but that maybe its just really hard to get immersed in a world so far removed from our own that people don't know what dirt or birds are.
I would love to hear someone mention Sanderson and specifically talk about the Steelheart trilogy. No one ever does, and OMG, that trilogy was INCREDIBLE.
Corralling Sanderson books like they're plump, unruly children 😁 I am here for it.
I love this Booktube.... Especially your videos....
It makes me feel peaceful and calm whenever I am in a depressed or a mad state. Thank you, Merphy.❤️
So I got back into reading in 2019. When I asked for suggestions, many people said Sanderson, but they said to skip Elantris. My interest was not only his reading good stories, but also seeing how authors developed over time (since I'm also trying to get back into writing). I enjoyed it, so I'm not really sure what all the grief was about, but I can definitely tell how much he developed as time went on.
Merphy, I sooo love your videos. Mostly I just watch wrap-ups on booktube channels. But your other videos are so creative and interesting, that I can't help watching them. Thank you for your ideas and thoughts:)
This was a super interesting video, thank you Merphy!
You gave me now with it a new perspective on Sanderson. I struggled with Elantris so much because of the focus in Sandersons writing more on setting and worldbuilding instead of the characters. I just could not really relate to the characters but could totally imagine the place I was in but unfortunately, I prefer characters over worldbuilding and was because of that mostly bored while reading it and even DNF'ed it at the end. But now that I know that Sanderson improves at the character-front and drops a bit the descriptions of places I think I will give him a second chance, so thanks again for that! :-)
Watching Merphy's video is a legit pointer in my schedule on a daily basis !
First time so early btw !
Loved this video idea! I have only read Sanderson from these authors but it was still very interesting to see how all of these authors changed ♡
I so very much enjoyed listening to you describe Sanderson's works. It becomes very obvious what a fan you are of him. You get so passionate and excited. Very cool!! I'm sure I've mentioned this before, but you turned me on to Sanderson, for which I'm very grateful 😁😁. I'm currently working through the Stormlight Archives, but in between the 2nd and 3rd I read The Emperor's Soul, which I absolutely loved!! Sanderson has become one of my very favorite writers. Thanks for another great video! Lots of fun!! 👍👍👏👏👏😁😁
I love watching your vids, Merphy. I am getting ready to read Sanderson's work and I am thankful you hyped him up so much. My TBR list is growing! Thanks for the spoiler free content:)
Maybe it’s because I don’t read a lot of sci-fi but Starsight was much more immersive for me than Skyward was. I could imagine everything and everywhere Spensa was interacting with. I have a very clear vision for the “maze” and her room and the “city” and even for the delvers. I don’t know, I loved it so much! hahaha
But I feel the same way about Mistborn. I can also envision all of the final empire, so, I don’t know... I think he’s a very immersive writer and has always been.
I still have to read stromlight archive but I'm sure I'll love the series.
Also I can't wait for fourth book in mistborn era 2 😭😭😭
Watching you wrestling with Sanderson's books reminded me of someone trying to vlog while holding a lively puppy. These were great writers and I agree with your takes on them, but they are all very good from the get go. It would be interesting to see your take on writers who perhaps where not so accomplished in their younger days, and trace how they have matured as writers over time.
Could you do more of these when and as you're able to?
I really like this. Really enjoy it. Really appreciate and value it.
Thanks for posting, Merph. Your videos always make me smile 💕
I just finished Mistborn era 1 and in just this three books I go from "I don't get why all the people talks about this man" to "This improvement in just three books is amazing and I want more"
My brother bought me the boy the mole the fox and the horse for my birthday and I LOVED it:)
I’m so glad you loved it!!!!
Thank you for the recommendation! I will definitely recommend it to all my family and friends:)
I think one author who's very much changed their style of writing is Patrick Rothfuss. His first book was very heavy in velvety prose, and pretty unique in narrative voice. Doors of Stone, however, is such a different literary experience entirely! It seems to change every day from a once-finished product into something completely different and wholly unique to Mr. Rothfuss. I truly believe he will champion in a new era of literary experiences!
Yea!!!! Seeing my name the 1st time on ur patron list makes me geek out a little too much lmao 😂
The group is fantastic- great conversations and so welcoming! Love it and I’m glad I’m apart of it ♥️
First I found hellofutureme then Daniel Greene now Merphy. Subscribed! Became much more of a book reader in 2020 and even if I'm not planning to read everything talked about. You videos are great watches and, as with Daniel, I'm learning about books I wouldn't have known about otherwise.
Loved the concept of the video, Merphy!
Lovely video. I was very worried when you were holding all the Sanderson books. 😂🥺🤞
Love all of Backman’s books but My Grandmother... (only because I did not get the fantasy references). Loved Ove AND Anxious People. Get the zooming out. Love love love Backman.
I just finished Anxious people and I loved it so much xD This and "Grandma book" are my favourite books by him (read 5 books till now). Aand I see a pattern that our likes are polar opposits :P
I've also noticed that Sanderson pulled way back on environmental descriptions. I actually think it's a good thing, because it allows me to imagine the settings for myself and I can paint a really nice picture in my head. He usually gives just enough description of a scene for me to understand what's going on and then my brain fills in the rest. It let's me imagine things more than, say, The Lies of Loche Lamora where I personally felt bogged down with wayyy too many descriptions and it completely pulled my out of the story rather than immersing me.
This is such a fascinating video! I love your breakdowns! I love the immersion of Elantris but I haven't read the later work as much, so I'm curious how it'll seem to me when I finally get to it.
17:33 Dunno why, but you wrestling with Sanderson's work is my favorite part of this video LOL
Ahhh yes the Sand Man I do really love his work. I am interested to see what you think of the short stories in Arcanum Unbound I personally think they are very immersing.
Thank you for introducing me to Backman and Du Maurier- Beartown and Rebecca are my favorite books. Looking forward to reading more of their books and reading Jane Austen and Brandon Sanderson for the first time.
My goal this year is to read every book left on my bookshelf. After I‘ve done that, I‘m buying new books. My list is:
Rebecca
A Man Called Ove
A Prince And A Spy
I‘m writing this because 2 of the 3 books are in this video, lol
I finally read Rebecca and it was as good as you said. It was so atmospheric and well-plotted. Such a good time. Thank you for continuing to recommend it!
I love Rebecca. It was my first Du Maurier as well and now she is one of my favourite authors. I liked My Cousine Rachel, but Rebecca has the ending, that still hunts me, more than one year after finishing it and I love it so much. I knew and loved the story before I even read the book, because I knew a Musical based on it, but they changed the ending so it wasn't open at all. This is why the book ending impressed me so much. I did not expect my opinion about what happed to change at all, but I just don't know what really happened and I never will.
i legit read - early works vs decent books))
😂😂😂
I just bought ( a man called Ove) at the library and I can’t wait to read it
I'm in the middle of re-reading Elantris!
In reference to Sanderson's lack of "immersion" in a scene, I have a feeling it's about recent tastes in readers. I'm with you. I want to be able to see, and smell, and feel things through the characters senses, Like I am there with them. It seems many people now find it boring. I don't. When I read stuff like that i find I'm no longer reading, I am there seeing and feeling, and smelling it all.
I do find it interesting how although Austen's tropes and themes remain consistent throughout her work, she seems to show greater sympathy to her characters, particularly her heroines, later in life. It would be hard to imagine Austen poking fun at Anne Elliot the way she does Catherine. And even Emma, for all her flaws, is still treated sympathetically by Austen. I think it shows Austen's more mature regard for women who err beyond simple naivety- women who recognize their past mistakes, and work to change them.
Huh. Warbreaker is my favorite Sanderson. I never thought it’s execution was clunky in any way. It must be a personal preference thing.
What a great video! And such an interesting topic. Very nice
Even before the video was fully loaded, I thought to myself "Fredrik Backman" 😂 I read Anxious People recently and I liked it, but it wasn't great. It was the first book of his I read but I'm definitely looking foreward to more
I can't wait to publish my first book this year and see how I evolve over time.
Having only read Rebecca by dumarier and the Sanderson books, I still really enjoyed this description of each authors progress
Why was I chuckling when she was trying to balance all of Sanderson's books? hahaha
Gonna go rewatch some Dear Authors content. YOU DA BEST MERPHY!!
I just finished reading my first Backman book! I thoroughly enjoyed myself
That austen collection is beautiful ! Hopefully will come back in stock soon for me to pick it up.
For me, Roshar is one of the only series were I lose myself completely in the world.
My favorite author is Chuck Palakniuk. He gives me as much as I need to paint a picture in my head and move along with the story
You should definitely read Brit Marie was here by Fredrik Backman. It is one of my favourite books from him apart from Beartown, Us Against You and A Man called Ove. All this books made me emotional and contain one of my favourite quotes. I consider both Ove and Brit Marie friends.That's how I felt after reading those books. They don't get on my nerves, I just understand them. The only two books I haven't read from him are And every morining home gets longer and longer( I know how much you love that book) and Anxious People but I definitely plan to read them at some point. Things my son needs to know about the world is also great and I also like My grandmother sends her regards and apologies. My least favourite book from him is A deal of a lifetime, but even that one is good and you can learn something from it. He is also one of my favourite authors and I believe his books should be read as cautionary tales where you can learn something from, even the least favourite ones.
I haven't read Skyward yet, but I don't think Sanderson really writes YA. He just writes good stories, many of which are accessible enough for older kids and teens to read and relate to.
*Waves hello to Jack Writer*
Yes, see you soon Jack!
👋
Hello Jack!
Hello to Jack Writer from the patron Discord ❤
what am I missing
Another author who writes faster than our collective breath is R.A Salvatore. Would LOVE to hear your thoughts on some of his work if you ever pick him up. Drizzt Do'Urden is such an amazing character!!!
This was such an interesting video topic!! For me, I was sad to have missed out on the wonder of Mistborn, having already ready Stormlight, my expectations for Brandon Sanderson were too high. I'm also really interested to see how much more I notice the Author change in my re-read now that I know Brandon better. . .
12:31 I brought my first Jane Austen book, Northanger Abbey at the beginning of this year based on your recommendations.. it was also the only one I could find lol.. I'm super excited to get to it.. I hope I enjoy it.. thanks Merph
jane austen hits different. I literally love all these authors. Thank u
Haven't watched it in its entirety yet, but I like this video so much already. I don't even like Backman but this is still so interesting.
I''ve only read two of these auhtors although They're definitely on my TBR to get too (eventually).
Jane Austen I'm still figuring out. I really enjoyed Emma, Northanger Abbey was different, but also enjoyable in its own right. I'm not able to comprehend the scope of how her writing changed over the years, although NA felt more cheeky with its interesting narrator and the poking fun at book nerds.
Sanderson on the other hand, is my man. He's the bomb diggity dog. I love the detail in his books. I think, when comparing SA and Elantris in particular, the scopes of his descriptions changed and got bigger. In Elantris, I loved some of the moments, but there is so much of the world we don't know about and I just wanted to know MORE. Especially with the magic tease at the end with the antagonists. I felt like Sanderson knew about how the rest of the world worked, but didn't tell us. SA however, we know quite a bit about the world at large and he keeps just dumping on us all the information and it is glorious. In context of your video, it seems that he has come to focus more on the world at large and that has decreased his focus on how he is putting the reader in that moment.