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Black Company Discussion

"'Don't expect much intellectual challenge or insightful wisdom.' ???? Considering that this book is one of the first fantasies to reflect the way people actually think and behave, I think it is quite intellectual and full of obvious sociological and psychological wisdom. It beats all that etiquette and eloquence crap that clogs so many fantasy novels." - Jupiter 10/6/97

Do you think people really think that way? I guess considering how much violence and crime are increasing, you're probably and unfortunately right. In some ways it reminds of the movie, "Pulp Fiction" - the way violence was trivialized and made to be "normal". I would agree with it beating the sugary garbage in many fantasy novels. What do you think of books like Expiration Date and Hyperion? For me they combine the bite of Black Company with depth and mind-stretching challenge. - Steve 10/6/97

"I think that Cook makes a very good point about the fact that there really is no "good" and "bad" group of people, just people with different ideas. He points out that if some Satan-like character did take over the world, nothing would really change, a different group of people would just be prosecuted. If that's not intellectually stimulating, I don't know what is!" - Adam 7/2/98

It is an interesting point but do you really agree? Hitler was a "Satan-like character" and it seems to me that things in Germany changed quite a bit when he took over. - Steve 7/2/98

Actually, Hitler only supports my point. Don't get me wrong here, I do not condone or approve of his actions, but he came to power at a time when Germany had just lost a major war. At that time, Germany was being persecuted by pretty much the rest of the world (whether it was just or not is a different story.) He played on the German people's anger and frustration to form a new army. Had he succeeded, life for the common man really would not have changed. Only a different group of people would have been persecuted for thier beliefs. Granted, the Nazis were very controlling, but every new government is like that during a time of revolution, force is often necessary to gain a foothold. Yes, they did expect zealous loyalty, but think for a moment about the Black List, or a child who refused to say the Pledge during the cold war. In the USSR, the same would have been for a child who believed in free thought and capitalism. The message is simple: no "bad guy" thinks he's evil, he's just implementing his beliefes. Both sides look at the other as the bad guy, and the only reason is the "good guys" always win is because the winners write the history books, and the winners implement thier beliefs on thier followers. So in truth, there is no good vs. bad, only idea vs. idea. Good and bad all depend on point of view, which is precisely the theme of the black company. - Adam 7/3/98

To me, this feels like a very pessimistic view of human history and potential. Different leaders would just persecute different groups? Why do we have to persecute anyone? One of the real values of science fiction writing is envisioning more positive futures. Before we can create something new and better, we have to envision it. When we have a better ideal, we can take steps toward realizing it. If we just envision more negativity, that's probably all that we'll find. - Steve 7/3/98

"Like the Rebel in Cook's novel, in winning the arguement you have strengthened my own opinion. I hope that you see what we are having here: an intellectual discussion. Given the length and nature of this conversation, not to mention content, how can you say that the Black Company was not intellectualy stimulating? My point wasn't really about whether Cook's ideas(or my interpretation of them)were correct, just that the book's ideas can father intellectual conversations, which it obviously did." - Adam 7/6/98

Good point but I don't quite agree. This discussion has been with you rather than with Cook or the books. For a point to stimulate much thought process, it has to be at least somewhat plausible. Per the idea we were discussing, I wouldn't have given it a second thought except that you brought it up. I started Shadows Linger though so far it's only confirming my opinion. Have you read anything by Iain Banks? - the darkness of Black Company with much more depth. I think you would really like his "Culture" novels. Steve 7/18/98

"I would still have to say that there is depth to Glen Cook's writing, as many details are omitted for the reader to stew over. It indicates the audience he is writing for. I hate when the obvious is stated and I find that modern media has a habit of doing this all too often. I also don't think that Cook is violent as much as he accepts war as human nature, as some people are born craving power and others are born to follow power. Strategy, as an art, is underrated and Cook plays his characters like chess pieces very well." - Jupiter 10/8/97

"I would have to fully agree with those who say Cook's writing is of a high intellectual caliber. I am an avid sci-fi/fantasy reader, and I can honestly say that Cook's Black Company books are the most intellectualy stimulating that I have ever read. He does not spell things out for the reader in obvious ways like many other writers do. For example, is there any maps in his books detailing the dark world in which the Black Company exists? Of course not! His vivid writing style enabled the reader to 'create' this own world, or releate it in a very real way to our own world.

This is a very interesting and intelligent to get readers to think about the sociological points that Cook is attempting to think. I can not count the number of times that I have been reading one of the Black Company novels, and found myself mulling over what Croaker has written in his on going commentary, and thinking to myself, 'that is right on the mark of how things really are in THIS world.' Bravo Mr. Cook!" ­ Cameron 1/26/98

You've convinced me to at the least read the next book in the series - so far, I've only read the first one. ­ Steve 2/2/98

I am glad. I really love the Black Company books. Along with the Drangonlance books of Weiss and Hickman they are my favorite books of all time. I am a teacher, so I read a lot, and I still get a thrill from Cook's writing. I personally think that the second book is the best of the series. I hope you enjoy it. If you ever want to discuss this, or other fantasy/scifi topics feel free to email me. ---Cameron 2/4/98

Great! I'll add a review when I get through book two. Dan Simmons also started as a teacher and actually told the entire Hyperion series to his classes before it was written. Any similar aspirations? Steve

Please email comments to troy@jade-mtn.com.

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