The most difficult books I've read would be The Road by cormac maccarthy and Dune. How difficult is it compared to these? Is it more difficult or less difficult?

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[–] 8 points 4 months ago

The first book is structured differently than the rest of the series as it grew out of a movie script, but neither it nor the rest are particularly difficult to read. There are a ton of characters and a lot of plot threads moving around at the same time, but the transitions between them are handled pretty well and don't make it terrible to keep things straight imo

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  • [–] 5 points 4 months ago

    Not very difficult I wouldn't recommend it but not for reading level.

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  • [–] 4 points 4 months ago

    It's not particularly difficult to read, there's just a lot of stuff to keep track of - if you care enough to anyways. Oh and you should probably avoid Malazan if you are squeamish.

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  • [–] 2 points 4 months ago (2 children)

    It's... Different. Like, it's not difficult in terms of what is happening in the moment etc but more, "why are these things happening?" There's also a lot to keep track of over the ten books.

    If you take Sanderson at one end, where everyone's motivations are explained out loud, often repeatedly, Malazan is at the other end, with you having to work out what some folks/God's are doing and why.

    My second time through was arguably one of my favourite reading experiences of all time.

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  • [–] [S] 1 point 4 months ago (1 child)

    Was the prose too difficult for you? How would you compare it's narration with other fantasy series like ASOIAF Or Wheel of time?

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  • [–] 1 point 4 months ago

    Oh, sorry I missed this! The prose shouldn't be an issue (though Erickson does love the occasional fun word, so for example, I learned what "susurration" means.)

    Again, the actual difficulty of Malazan is understanding why things are happening. Some of the narrators are unreliable (or, more often just don't know the full picture) some people will lie but unlike something easier, where there will be a helpful "Bill narrowed his eyes at these lies but said nothing" its on the reader to decide whom they believe and to what extent.

    I'd say give the first two books a shot. The second is much better than the first and really starts to get into the full majesty of the Malazan Book of the Fallen.

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  • [–] 1 point 4 months ago

    All the books are long. Just take it book by book and stop when you have had enough. Don't decide to finish the series up front.

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  • [–] 1 point 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago) (3 children)

    Please tell us you’ve read more than 2 books or at least provide context. Unless you’re seven years old, in which case your first books are wild.

    Edit: op said most difficult, I missed that

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