Robert Jordan
Robert Jordan, the legendary author of the Wheel of Time series of fantasy books, has created a lush and captivating universe that has captivated readers for generations. Jordan, born James Oliver Rigney, Jr., in 1948, was a lifelong bibliophile, with a penchant for fantasy and science fiction. He served in the US military before turning to writing, and his first novels were historical fiction set during the American Civil War. Jordan went on to write more than twenty books, many of which have been New York Times bestsellers.
Jordan is best known for his tremendously successful Wheel of Time series, which begins with 1990’s The Eye of the World. The series follows three main protagonists—Rand al'Thor, Matrim Cauthon, and Perrin Aybara—on their quest to find a magical artifact dubbed the “Eye of the World” in order to save their kingdom from the impending destruction of a great evil known as the “Dark One.” The epic odyssey takes the heroes on a journey through nineteen books, as they battle powerful enemies and discover hidden truths about the world they live in.
To create this insanely complex universe, Jordan had to draw from many different sources, such as history, mythology, and religion. He also made sure to include elements that could appeal to a wide variety of readers, including traditional fantasy readers, along with those who are new to the genre. Jordan worked hard to create a series that was true to the genre, but at the same time accessible and understandable to all. His writing style was described as “clear, concise, and descriptive”.
The books are also heavily praised for their character development. Through his characters, Jordan is able to explore a multitude of themes, such as racism, sexism, the concept of good and evil, the importance of perseverance, and the reality that sometimes the most noble course of action requires the greatest sacrifices. As the characters grow and change, readers are able to gain an even greater respect and admiration for them, which is one of the reasons the series is beloved by fans. To bring his characters to life, Jordan uses both dialogue and inner monologues, giving readers a more intimate picture of the characters and their worlds.
Robert Jordan was a master storyteller, and his writing style has been described as “brilliantly picture-perfect prose”. His books were hailed for their detailed world-building, intricate plotlines, and wonderfully developed characters. Sadly, Jordan passed away in 2007, at the age of sixty, after a long battle with the blood disorder amyloidosis. He was only able to finish the fifteenth novel in the series, leaving the fourteenth and sixteenth books incomplete. After eleven years, Brandon Sanderson finished the last book in the series with the help of Jordan’s notes left behind. Robert Jordan's legacy continues to live on, with the Wheel of Time series still captivating readers of all ages.
