Recommending Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn in 3 Minutes

[@mikesbookreviews]

I think it's a wonderful series that was far ahead of its time and Tad Williams doesn't get enough credit.

[@MrBrachiatingApe]

I completely agree! I almost wish Tad could republish the first series now in the wake of GRRM ASoIaF, Netflix binge-watching, and KZbin... he'd have 1,000 channels devoted to the lore, the theory, the plot and its mysteries...legions of fanboyz geeking out to the nth degree, and every bit of it deserved. M, S, and T is my 2nd favorite fantasy series behind the Lord of the Rings. His writing is brilliant, his storytelling is incredible... "Autumn was holding the door; Winter was trudging in." And that ending! My god, the way all those threads came together in the final scenes...one of the best, most powerful culminations of any series I've ever read, and I read each one the moment they were published in hardback (or almost; I was in Sweden when the Stone of Farewell was published so I was a few weeks behind...) Unforeseeable before; inevitable after. Truly a masterpiece. Plus, Tad himself is such a great, kind, funny, generous, encouraging dude that if I ever end up finishing and publishing a fantasy novel (as I've been trying to do for a long time), it's not an exaggeration to say that it would be thanks to him. I wrote my first short story as a kid thanks to him, and my first short story as an adult because he told me about how he came to write. He gave me confidence I didn't then deserve--as he told me, he loaned me the confidence based not on the skill I had, but the skill I _would_ have when I was in a position to pay that loan back by encouraging another boy who dreamed of being a great writer when he grew up. The encouragement he gave me to write and have confidence in my own creativity. And anyone who speaks that kindly of my mom's lasagna is a stand-up guy and a real bro

[@pip119]

"Each one has our own sorrows, Princess," he said. "It's no shame to take them to heart. The only sin is to forget that other folk have theirs, too---or to let pity for yourself slow your hand when someone needs help."

[@Steve_Stowers]

Hah! Coincidentally, I just read, and highlighted, this a couple of hours ago.

[@ahmedshaharyarejaz9886]

Damn I really need to read this book.

[@hado33_]

Does that third sentence even make any sense? If you dissect it, it's obviously nonsense masquerading as something profound.

[@pip119]

@@hado33_ I think its meaning is very clear: it's fine to feel sorry for yourself and give attention to your own problems and hardships, just don't forget others have their own too; your own state shouldn't change your willingness to be a good Samaritan

[@hado33_]

@@pip119 Ah, I see. Interesting interpretation.

[@branislavbalasic5173]

This series needs to be more popular. Thank you!

[@tevindaniels3742]

I just purchased the Dragonbone chair from a Barnes and noble store. I can’t wait to start reading it

[@sandisteinberg731]

I haven't read any of William's novels, but his short story, A Stark and Wormy Knight, is my favorite ever. In it, a mom dragon tells her youngster a bedtime story about his great grandfather (who was not the brightest bulb in the chandelier). The story is hilarious! It can be found in his short story collection, The Very Best of Tad Williams. 😅

[@dant7677]

I long ago found The Dragonbone Chair on my grandfather's shelf. I was already borrowing enough books from him, so I left it. But that hardcover volume made an impression on me, and I've had it in the back of my reading list ever since. Also discovered on that shelf: Barbara Hambly's Dragonsbane. I went on to enjoy many of her novels, especially that series beginning with The Ladies of Mandigryn.

[@joshuafears4123]

To say that it demands some patience is an understatement. I finished the series in 2 months. But it was a hard at times. That being said, it was never boring. Honestly it was one of the weirdest times I've had enjoying a book. It was slow and boring but at the same time it wasn't. It is the kind of book you listen to and walk, or bike, or kayak for 4 hours and not realize how long you've been gone for.

[@jimhawkins1393]

I could relate and you have spoken exactly how I felt. The story is a slow burn especially in the first book but towards the end of the DBC, it picks pace which is brilliant.

[@Keronin]

I randomly discovered this series like 25 years ago at my school's library and fell in love with the world and how epic it was. I agree that it started off slow, but definitely does pick up. And whereas I've tried to get through LotR but have been unable to do so in book form, I was able to get through these books back when I was an impatient youngster. I also thought it was hilarious when I was younger that the third book came out in two volumes (at least in the paperback version, not sure about hardcover) each larger than either of the first two books. It was fun to show people the 3 books of the series, one of which was more than half of the total page count of the series as a whole.

[@jessicastein5155]

Hardcover of the last one is just one book. My parents have them all in hardcover. When they bought me my own copies when I moved out (to keep me from taking theirs), I was surprised and amused to find the third book split in two.

[@MrBrachiatingApe]

I've known Tad since I was 8 years old and first read the Dragonbone Chair. My brother and he used to play ball (I think?) at the YMCA in Palo Alto. That was late 80s or early 90s and I was a kid so I could be getting the years wrong a bit. This was my 2nd-favorite fantasy series of all time, just behind Tolkien, since the moment I read it. The ending was the first "unforeseeable in advance, inevitable in retrospect" endings in any novel I'd ever experienced; I was perhaps 15 or 16 when "To Green Angel Tower" was released; to say his books have had a major impact on me is an understatement. The dude is incredibly kind, chill, fun to hang out with, and a very funny man. He was highly complimentary of Mom's lasagna, and years later spoke one of my favorite phrases of all in an offhand story about his cat: "like a hyper-adrenalized spider monkey..." this is like 10+ years before "Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby" and I always wondered if that screenwriter somehow heard that phrase...

[@Mr.RobotHead]

_Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn_ is one of my all-time favorite series. The sequel series, _The Last King of Osten Ard_ , has been fantastic too. The final book should be out toward the end of the year.

[@popelgruner595]

I agree.

[@ahmedshaharyarejaz9886]

@Mr.RobotHead Man I need to start reading this series then, before it ends.

[@travismorse5050]

Great series that doesn't get enough mention. Tad Williams rocked out this series and ended on a banger! Dragon bone chair is one of the classics!

[@aaronzegas5270]

Agree 100%. I love, love, love this series. Everything you said, plus it also works in a lot of modern issues, but in a pretty subtle way, too (i.e. displacement of indigenous people).

[@wesleywallace2881]

It's been on my list forever. I'm reading it next for sure. Love your content

[@CapturedInWords]

Hope you enjoy it! Just remember to push past the slow beginning because it gets much better!

[@Luger0312]

Got it from a library antiquary or whatever you call the department for books that get sorted out and are for sale on a budget in english. Took me forever to finish the first book, because I was reading it on and off. But it picked up pace and more importantly story takes its time to create a world that just sucks you in and at some point without even noticing you're just stuck in it and its wonderful.

[@MrBendylaw]

If anyone is struggling with ASOIAF being interminably delayed, read this. One of the best endings you'll ever read. Really deserves about 10 seasons worth of adaptation to the screen, provided the casting crew is on their A game...these characters hum with life.

[@unforgettablefire535]

After I finish Wheel of Time, this is next on my list.

[@dugonman8360]

A lot of peoples introduction to fantasy is usually through Narnia or Hogwarts, a good number of others become wanderers of Middle-earth pr Westoros or randland but I, when I was fifteen years old, became a weary traveler of Osten Ard and never looked back. This series obviously holds an incredibly special place in my heart and Tad Williams is easily my favorite contemporary author next to only Gene Wolfe and Haruki Murakami.

[@RJAMiniatures]

One of my favorite series of all time!! 😎🙌🏻

[@CapturedInWords]

Such a great series!! 🙌

[@pip119]

The opening chapters of the first book has the most memorable build-climax within a fantasy book I can remember

[@gayanegasparyan4137]

I’ve read it last year and absolutely fell in love with it, Tad Williams became one of my favourite writers!

[@PatrickRyanBookReviews]

I unfortunately ended up DNFing around 20%. Everyone I was talking to was telling me that I was only about half way to the point where it "starts to get good" and I knew I didn't have the patience to spend that much more time being bored in the hopes that it would turn around.

[@CapturedInWords]

That's understandable, it isnt going to work for everyone! I remember almost DNFing it around that spot too. I think the slow beginning is this books biggest downfall, because the rest of it is so good. I liked how cozy it felt at the beginning but then it just didn't pick up the pace for a loooong time.

[@Ali-tf2nd]

I am definetly going to read it now. Excited to do so.

[@FrozenEnoch]

I DnF'd the first book twice but i have been looking to come back to it, i still remember it well so hopefully i wont have to start from the beginning again

[@Avarn388]

@FrozenEnouch Even as a fan of that book, it's a rough read in that it's slow. But it's 100% worth it.

[@brasileiroamericano]

This is one of my favorites that I read in high school in the 90s. I've re-read it but it's been a while. It may be time to read it again.

[@michaelpinkwart6454]

I started my fantasy book "career" with this trilogy and I always will love this books.

[@CapturedInWords]

Such a great series!!

[@davidroygodden]

on my TBR this year

[@CapturedInWords]

Awesome, hope you enjoy it! Just remember to push past that slow beginning because it gets much better!

[@wind-upboy939]

This series is fantastic, When I read it the first time, I lent the books from a friend. I finished one book at the beginning of some holidays. I couldn't wait for the holidays to be over, so I could continue the journey in Osten Ard. Now, I own my own copies.

[@mobanewman7139]

Just reread the series again. Love the characters.

[@DuckRon626]

I've read The Dragonbone Chair and Stone of Farewell. My library has To Green Angel Tower as 2 books, Seige and Storm. Seige has bubbled to the front of my TBR and is coming up next. This has become my favorite series. Bilibik(sp?) has become a favorite character

[@hollyj4529]

Perfect timing, this book has been on my TBR pile for a long time. I was planning to start it this month. Glad to know not to give up on the first book.

[@jessicastein5155]

I've loved this series since I was 13. This video has made me want to do a reread, haha. If you haven't already, I highly recommend his Otherland series, starting with City of Golden Shadow. It's sci fi rather than fantasy. The chapter titled "Dread" is one of my all time favourites for how character can be conveyed through prose even when using third person perspective. Just a masterclass in use of focalization and diction to convey character. Anyway, glad to see someone spreading the love for one of my favourite authors and series, and I hope you convinced a bunch of new people to read it!

[@popelgruner595]

I've read it back in the days when we used to pay books in D-Mark (Deutsche Mark) instead of Euros...

[@americanpatriot68forever48]

I read the Dragonbone Chair when I was a kid, It was the biggest book I had read at the time and fell asleep several times because I couldn't put it down. I was 10 at the time I am 55 now. I think I will read it again because apparently I enjoyed a lot to remember the name of a book I read 45 years ago

[@yassinemiri3555]

Yes !

[@CapturedInWords]

🙌

[@DuckRon626]

I am in the process of reading Memory, Sorrow and Thorn. I've read The Dragonbone Chair and I also almost DNF'd it. But, as you say, not doing so paid off. t just finished Stone of Farewell. This also was a slow burn. Still, I love the characters that Tad Williams is developing. Really looking forwrd to To Green Angel Tower. This "book" is split into 2 parts, Seige and Storm. Both are really long books. Long as the 1st 2 in the series. together they make up about 1800 pages. Not a quick read, but, still looking forward to the rest of my journey.

[@moiz85]

I adore MS&T

[@leemager128]

I'm currently 60% through the first book. I had to put it down and started a different book. After listening to you today, I guess I'll have to pick it up again.

[@davidhayes6491]

I read it so long ago that it's hard to remember the details, only that I loved it. I rebought the first trilogy when Williams started the sequel trilogy. So, a re-read is in the near future.

[@CapturedInWords]

I need to read the sequel trilogy soon!

[@Wayne_C_Kelly_II]

Noted. Thank You~

[@Owlbear579]

I just ordered all three books this week and look forward to the series. I'm finishing book 4 of Faithful and Fallen now and will begin this series next.

[@Degrad21]

you and other booktubers recommended it so much, that I had it on my christmas wishlist last year. I hope to start the first book soon. I am currently reading darkwater legacy 2, don't know if you read them, but the are really good aswell.

[@CapturedInWords]

Hoping to get to the Darkwater legacy this year! I've heard lots of good things about the ember blade

[@vivic.k.c.4244]

I’ve got this books last year! Can’t wait to read them!

[@ThomasNewman-xe2ig]

I have read the whole series. Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn (the three book set, four in paperback) was going to be a slow read for me. As much as I enjoy a good book, it takes me two or three months to get through the average size novel. I started on New Years and expected to be done by the end of August. To my surprise, I was done by the end of March. It is NOT a quick read, but it tends to go faster once you get started.

[@samsampier7147]

Loving the audiobook of Dragonbone Chair narrated by Andrew Wincott.

[@psychosis8429]

I've been wanting to pick this series up. This just makes me want to get into the series sooner

[@safinan8008]

Hi 👋 I’ve read this series too!! I’m currently started the second Era!! Happy reading to you!!

[@CapturedInWords]

Awesome!! Happy reading to you too Safina!! :)

[@godfly-13]

This series has been on my TBR for awhile. Depending on the luck of the draw, it may be my next as it's one of a bunch of books coming available on my holds in Libby, but Kings of the Wyld popped up first after the last book I finished and I'm about halfway through it, so hopefully this one next.

[@Mgranadosv]

Finished The dragonbone chair last month (and then went straight into The Elric of Melniboné saga). I liked it, but with how fantasy is today, I can understand some of the criticism dropped on this book in modern reviews. It's a slow burn for sure, the action gets going in the final 100 pages, before that it's very deliberately slow. I can't wait to get into the second.

[@tadwilliams-worldbuilder8842]

Thank you!

[@CapturedInWords]

You're welcome!

[@matthewwoolley4131]

It’s taking me a while but I’m slowly working my way through Memory Sorrow and Thorn, I’m about halfway through the Stone of Farewell. Slow burn though it may be i can definitely tell there’s something special here

[@CapturedInWords]

Definitely a slow burn! But a really great series :) Happy to hear you're reading it!

[@mobanewman7139]

And when you mean the villain you cannot believe how quietly evil he is.

[@LarsMarkson]

Have the first book on my shelf for a while and always mean to start it. Maybe now I will.

[@CapturedInWords]

Hope you enjoy it!

[@MadeUpLikeADoll]

Well described 😊

[@CapturedInWords]

Thanks a lot 😊

[@samfourman4683]

I've tried 3 times now to listen, can't do the reading anymore (I just fall asleep) I'm gunna try to give it one more chance because of the recommendation video!

[@douglaswilliams6834]

You talked me into it!

[@CapturedInWords]

Awesome!! Hope you enjoy it!

[@Rinzler.14]

Tad Williams is an incredible author and person, his books just have this cozy wholesome feeling to them. Btw on a side note if you haven’t yet read a book called Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross you guys should check it out and it’s second book Ruthless Vows bc they are amazing.

[@carlosroo5460]

I bought the first book because I couldn't find the one I was looking for, but I'm glad to heard I didn't make the wrong choice

[@CinHotlanta]

It's so funny, the first time you read Dragonbone Chair you're thinking "why is this taking so much time?" On every re-read you're thinking "Why is this going so fast?"

[@SteamingAd]

Love these books.. need a re-read now.

[@MichaelSmith-zx5lw]

My favourite series and author of all time. I love Stephen King, Robert Joran, Robin Hobb and Robert Jordan almost as much.

[@elisabethprice4697]

I already have this in my mental tbr... it'll be awhile till I get to it but I really want to!

[@johnnyhearldonrocks]

I’ve just started reading the dragon stone chair, it’s dense

[@gerrybonshor4150]

Check out Tad reading these books out loud. The voices he does are excellent, especially Seoman, who is hilarious.

[@CapturedInWords]

Oh wow didn't realise he did a reading of it! Will need to listen to that on my next read through

[@gerrybonshor4150]

He is a cool guy. He reads it on camera in his study while discussing parts of it with his live audience. Funny to hear the doorbell ring, his dog starts barking and he says "pizza is here!" In no way does this detract from his excellent reading. As a writer you may find it helpful, as a fan it is a must. Love what you do young Sir.@@CapturedInWords

[@Morfeusm]

I am planning to be reading this in autumn before Stormlight comes out and just considered buying it just now (uncanny timing really) but decided to wait because it’s availability is wild and every bookstore has different editions but seems to be missing one. lol

[@Ali-tf2nd]

What is the missing piece to the puzzle then?

[@Morfeusm]

@@Ali-tf2nd depends on the store. It’s usually second book or second part of the third book that is missing and I am refusing to be buying this across the multiple stores or multiple editions. First world problems I know. There is reprint scheduled later this year so I am going to wait. Worst case scenario will be buying ebooks lol.

[@a.a677]

Recently picked the trilogy up, excited to read the inspiration to ASOIAF.

[@CapturedInWords]

Hope you enjoy it! Keep in mind it's VERY slow for the first half, but it is worth pushing through!

[@anis_hadji]

Which one would you recommend me to read : Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn or The Wheel of Time?

[@chance757]

i know it’s a weird question to ask but how many povs do we read from in the first book? i have a weird pet peeve from childhood about multiple pov books that i’m trying to get over 😭😭

[@turbokid8719]

I’ll check it out.

[@BedlamBoy1978]

I own them all and plan a re read then starting the new novels set in that world.

[@jameswitts3793]

I found the trilogy in hardback in a second hand book shop for £6 or $8/9 Can't wait to start it

[@CapturedInWords]

Awesome!!! Great find

[@Books_BrewsandBeyond]

This series sounds great- I may check it out. ⚔ 🐲

[@lucadeam4523]

Very interesting... But what happened to Patrick Rothfuss???

[@Avarn388]

I really loved the Dragonbone Chair trilogy. I still need to read the sequel series which I may do so this year given the new book for that is coming out this year.

[@CapturedInWords]

I need to read the sequel series as well, hoping to get to it this year :)

[@-clyx-2907]

I've just started the last book yesterday

[@caewing85]

I started it in December but with being pregnant, I couldn’t pay attention to the storyline. I will try again when my brain isn’t loopy. lol might be a few years though. But I enjoyed what I read. I think I was in chapter 4 or 5

[@Grimm44]

I just bought the series for Christmas have to make some time to read it. So you are saying the wheel of time is not slow paced

[@ellery0909]

One of my favorites, but i hated the ending. It was something i looked forward to for years and years and when it came out i felt let down somehow

[@AndersIde-f8d]

in a weird way its even closer to me than lord of the rings it has more deepth to it and to be honest if EVER one smart director and screenwritter gets these books it would be an EPIC series like and much Better than GOT or LotR i read it 5 times

[@JK-tc2ts]

I'm on my second attempt to read this book, about 150 pages from the end of Dragonbone Chair, and I honestly can't understand what so many people love about this book. It's getting boring. At page 586, I'm at a point where I don't know if I'm going to finish it. I kind of just don't care about what happens from here on out.

[@peterp9918]

There's a good story in there but, my god, does he take his time telling it. I only finished the series out of sheer stubbornness. To be fair the ending is great.

[@orashionseis]

Its on my list to read sfter im done with dragon heart series 😊 modt probably i will either read black company or the darkness that comes before 😊

[@Rilesmansan]

Now do Otherland.

[@bim41337]

I've read quite a few fantasy books and series over the last couple of years. Also got through this series a few months ago. As you say here, the characters are very well fleshed out and special. But I also have to say: I think I've never read a protagonist as annoying as Simon. He's constantly grumpy, childish, bathing in self-pity. He really got under my skin 😆

[@jouzu2477]

Finish the summary bro

[@matthewmichaelcrown3643]

I DNF'd it. I wanted to like the characters but they never seemed to come to life. ZERO humor or lightness.

[@TalesfromtheS]

first

[@Ali-tf2nd]

Nope it’s me

[@thefastmagician]

WAY too slow for me