Book Review | Robert Jordan’s pen is mightier than camera

Not Crazy, Rand,” she said. “Purposeful. The Trollocs did not come to Emond’s Field by happenstance, and they did not do what they did for pleasure of killing and burning, however much that delighted them. They knew what, or rather who, they were after.’ Moiraine’s words referring to the bloodshed and devastation unleashed upon Two Rivers village by the friends of the Dark, are important revelations that would lead Rand al Thore, Mat Cauthon, Perrin Luhhan, the Wisdom Nyanaeve, and her intern Egwene, to leave the village. Moiraine is an Aes Sedai (Aes Sedais are women, who wield the one power). She feels they are the reason the friends of dark are targeting the village. She wants them to go to Tar Valon with her and her warder Lan, to where the powerful Amerlyn Seat and her sisters would protect them.

Rand and his mates were until then common folk from “Two Rivers”, a village often called “End of the World”. Their only entertainment was hanging out at the inn, listening to the legends of heroes and tales of the Dark One (source of evil) and the Age of Legends, and Breaking of the World. The tales that were once memories turned into legends and myths with the “Wheel of Time”. Tales heard from their elders, and some that were brought in by the wandering peddler Padan Fain or the Gleeman, who would come to the village festival, Bel Tine, to entertain, and give news. This simple life was going to change forever.

One among the youngsters is Dragon Reborn, who according to the prophecies will deliver the world from the Dark One — or may even join forces. It is for Moiraine to lead the chosen one to the “Eye of the World” — and make the Dragon choose Light over the Dark.

Despite their doubts on the real intention of the Aes Sedai, and the fact that this journey to “Eye of the World” is fraught with dangers — some known and many unknown, the four and the wisdom Egwene set about. And, the worst of their fears and dreams do end up coming true, especially for Rand, who is more than once caught between dreams and reality.

The Eye of The World is Robert Jordan’s first book in the fantasy series “The Wheel of Time”, written in 1990. The American author initially envisioned a six-part series, which went on to become a 14-book series — the last three completed by fellow fantasy fiction writer Brandson Sanderson, after his death. He draws his themes from various ancient cultures and philosophies from Asia and Europe.

The book is surely worth a re-read for the fans. For new readers, however, this could be exhaustive at some places, plainly because of the huge number of characters that come and go, several among them, now we know, have significance in the upcoming books.

Hachette India republished the book to coincide with streaming of the original series The Wheel of Time on Prime Video, made based on the book series. The pen is mightier than the camera in this case as well.