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unbalancedbutfair
May 31, 2012unbalancedbutfair rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
Again, Jordan does not disappoint. Instead of gushing like a little kid about the language, the brilliant characterizations, the perfect amount of description (not too much and not too little), the epic story itself I thought I'd mention a couple of things in this book specifically that are wonderfully done. I've mentioned characterization and culture before, Jordan writes these effortlessly and brilliantly. Through this he explores power balances between the sexes in different cultures in amusing, thought provoking, eye rolling, and groaning brilliance. The individual characterization shines through (the women are not all the same; nor the men) and cultural difference come out, but none of it is preachy. It just is. Another thing that really came out in this book is that there is no "right" perspective. He gives each character who narrates (and many take their turns) full shrift. We see through that character's eyes, biases, ignorances, and mistakes included. There is honesty here, but there is not a "true" narrator. And the story builds and the audience is richer for having the multiple views. It's subtle. So subtle you might miss it, like good camera work in a movie, but when you see it it's amazing. Finally, the history comes out more. Things are joined that I didn't see and it speaks well of the depth of the story Jordan had to tell. He does not "pad". None of the information is extrenous, so much connects in ways that are invisible in the first 3 books. So. Stop reading this review and read the damn book. It's worth your time.