T. Goodkind (Sword of Truth) fans, I have questions... (long post ahead)

[Hong Kong Cavalier]

I used to enjoy the Sword of Truth series. Really. They started out as great fantasy fiction books with compelling, realistic characters, an amazing storyline, and subtle humor.
Then something changed. Perhaps it was Goodkind’s intention all along, but when his writing started to shift from a rollicking fantasy story and started to delve into his own political and persona philosophy. That’s all fine. They’re his books. But they shouldn’t be labeled “fantasy”, then. And they shouldn’t be in the science fiction section of the bookstore. Goodkind has commented that being under the “fantasy” label “ties his hands” and he can’t write the story he wants to write. After reading his latest book, Naked EmpireI think he’s having a fine time writing the story he wants to write. It’s just not a fantasy novel anymore. In fact, when the main character cuts a bloody swath through a group of people chanting “no war!” and advocating peace, I had to put the book down for a day.
I did a little investigating on Mr. Goodkind, and found out that his favorite author is (wait for it…) Ayn Rand. He has stated in several interviews that he loves Atlas Shrugged and apparently, his stories are trying to emulate Rand’s work. He’s also a strict libertarian, and has some interesting views on the media and higher education.

On the media: “The mainstream press in this country cares very little for freedom of the press and holds truth in disdain. The main object of the mainstream press has come to be the suppression of free thought and the promotion of socialist totalitarianism.” (Not surprisingly, Goodkind thinks the fact that his books didn’t stay on the New York Times Bestseller list is a clear example of censorship. He thinks the Wall Street Journal, or the USA Today, is much better to show how popular his books are.)

On higher education: “…and that colleges can be but are not necessarily are very destructive forces. The chief aim of any college is political indoctrination to prevent you from thinking. But I am sure there must be a couple out there that encourage free thought. Although they would be rare because college campuses are the most repressive environment in the country. “

Now, this is not to say that he completely reflects this in his writing. It’s starting to bleed through though, and I for one am getting tired of the whole “collectivism and socialism are EVIL and EVIL must be destroyed” story that has weaved its way into his novels.

I suppose the question I have is this: Is buying Goodkind’s novels like buying Coulter’s books? They both bring forth an extremely conservative viewpoint. The only difference is Coulter’s books are in the non-fiction section. Goodkind is relegated to fantasy.
Should I support a libertarian who sees the “socialist totalitarianism” mainstream media as one of the major problems in this country? Should I support a conservative (he has stated that he will always vote for the Repub candidate, especially *,) who believes that everything in the world is black-and-white, and that evil (socialism and liberalism) must be destroyed?

Any thoughts? Suggestions?

[Coyul]

1. I like his books but

I have also noticed the librertarian outlook. I was just telling my SO the other day,that the only way he seems to justify his beliefs is a situation that can never occur.So far he has gone after the communists the socialists,and in this book the pacifists. It all comes down to the strongest wins. period.(but if you notice every thing Richard does seems to cause an even bigger problem for the next book)
I really liked the characters at first but to tell the truth Richard and kallan just get on my nerves now . If it werent for the mord-sith,Zedd,Chase,and other secondary characters I would have stoped reading three books ago.
I will still buy the books ,but I just wait and buy them used.that wayI can have the series butnot actually give money to Goodkind.

So the Moment a Dream walker apperers in real life I'll think about his position.But it seems to me if you have to make up an evil magic user to rationalize his politics ,then maybe some prozac might be usefull.

(BTW Darken Raul was the best bad guy ever, and I still cant believe he killed him off in the first book.Jagang is a wimp .)

[Hong Kong Cavalier]

2. I'm glad I'm not the only one who noticed that...

And your idea about buying the books used is, to quote those Guinness Draught commercials, "BRILLIANT!"

I agree, Darken Rahl was his best villain.
And if you read Naked Empire, don't you think that Richard became the enemy he hates by killing those "anti-war" protesters?

[Coyul]

3. You'r right

I didnt connect that till you said it. I noticed that the "wise one" was a child,and so those pacifist beliefs are portrayed as childish.

[Hong Kong Cavalier]

4. Goodkind's allegorical writing is as subtle as a two-ton brick.

And that's why I can't read his books anymore without getting angry.

[Blue-Jay]

5. I stopped reading his stuff about two books ago

Not so much because of politics, but his world was getting a little stale for my tastes. "Pillars of Creation" was a disaster that I didn't even finish. His first few are still among my favorites, though.

[Hong Kong Cavalier]

6. I notieced that, too...

I'm re-reading the second book now, and there's still no sign of his politics. There's still a sense of wonder and discovery in his first books, but he starts to lose it around book four. (Temple of the Winds) It was "Soul of the Fire" that started to lose me.

Does it seem like I'm shamelessly plugging my own thread?