Ben > Recent Status Updates

In reading another of Erikson's works, I have come to the realization that I don't like my fantasy as gritty as Erikson wants it to be. I appreciate that he delves into grey moralities, but there is a sense of wanting to be too graphic in his narrative that just comes off as needless. Maybe I just like to see even the smallest amount of good and hope in a story, something Erikson seems to actively push against.

I suspect that Winroth is building up the evidence for a later argument(s) made about the factors behind the Christianization. As such, these first six chapters have been a good overview of early medieval Scandinavia and its associated territories/holdings. But, little has been said about the Church. I think I see where he is going.

This will be my third attempt to actually get through this book. This is not a criticism of the book however. For some reason, my reading goes by the wayside whenever I pick up Gardens of the Moon. Third times the charm?

This book has done nothing save me occasionally saying, "That's neat," from time to time. It is not a chore to read through, but I don't find myself desiring to pick it up at night before heading to bed. Reid has a bad tendency of retracing the same observations with his individual accounts.