The Bridgeburners discussion

Hi, I'm starting a new topic! Let's share who our favorite and least favorite characters are, and we can open up friendly debates agreeing and disagreeing!

Man-O-Man where do I begin!! :) I KNOW that I have been guilty of saying over and over again during our discussions "this character is a favorite character of mine!" I have made this statement repeatedly because it's true, the characters are so varied and "deep"...so I will attack my favorite characters by each book we've read up to this point!!

In Gardens there's Wiskeyjack, Kruppe, Paran, Tool and Toc, and Rake....Oh Rake!! :)

In Deadhouse there's Fiddler, Kalam, Asplar/Sorry, Icarium and Mappo, Duker, Stormy and Gesler, and Coltaine....Oh Coltaine! :)

In Memories there's everyone from Garden's, plus Quick Ben, Haten, Gruntle & Stonny and The Grey Swords Shield Anvil

House has Karsa, Karsa, Karsa!! Then there's Trull and Onrack,

Midnight Tides again Trull, Tehol and Bugg their whole gang!!!

In Bonehunters there is Sgt Hellian (my ALL time favorite character) and Tevore, Karsa and the Witch (love her!)

In Night of Knives it has to be Temper, Dancer and Kiska!

As far as "Bonehunters" go I love Bottle, Flashwit, Maybe, Captain Kindly and his LT that becomes a SGT Major and GRUB, Grub is the best!!!!!!

As for character's I dislike, well there's Mallick Rel, The Crippled God himself and Icarium's new handler, Koroblo Dom and oh Sinn is crazy....yeah don't like them at all!!!

That's enough for now, I'll let others have a go at it!! :D

Oh I forgot to add Picker and Blend!! :))

Kruppe and Sgt. Hellian, Captain Kindly and his Lt are so funny! They're such a great break from the stories' seriousness sometimes, so welcomed!oh! and the shadow priest Iskaral Pust and his wife are funny too!

also I found a great wiki site on all the characters!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_...

ALL THINGS ANOMANDER:

I suppose my greatest difficulty with Rake is that he's too good to be true.

One of the criticisms (I think in some cases justified) of SE's books is the too frequent appearance of dei ex machinae (DEM) - super powerful beings that intervene at just the right moment to make things right. In SE's defense, in a world where actual gods walk the earth, DEMs are kind of unavoidable but I get the objection.

Anomander Rake is the DEM of DEMs - He's a near all powerful, all knowing manipulator of events (view spoiler)[who sacrifices himself to bring Mother Dark back and stop unbridled Chaos from breaking loose in the world (hide spoiler)].

I found his scenes in the novels the hardest to get through.

Now, as to several of the reasons I love the series:

At the top of the list are Tavore and Trull Sengar, which comes through loud and clear in my reviews :-)

Not far behind are Tattersail ((view spoiler)[who was bumped off far too early; Silverfox is no Tattersail, as Ganoes learns too (hide spoiler)]); Duiker, the imperial historian; Fiddler; Sorry; and Coltaine, of course ((view spoiler)[I'm not sure how ICE will handle the character since he seems to be the one who'll be writing about him and he just hasn't displayed the talent that SE has, IMO (hide spoiler)]).

The Bonehunters as a group (we've already mentioned Sgt. Hellian, among others).

I didn't initially warm to either Kruppe or Karsa Orlong but over time I've come to appreciate them.

I also think SE and ICE do interesting things with showing various characters through different eyes. E.g., Tayschrenn: In the eyes of the Bridgeburners and most readers I would imagine, he's not a very likeable person but in Night of Knives he gains the loyalty of Kiska, and you begin to understand why he does what he does.

And there's Laseen. She's a difficult one to understand but I was feeling sympathy for her by the end of Return of The Crimson Guard (view spoiler)[and wish she hadn't died; though in the Malazan world death is usually just the beginning of a character's "life" ;-) (hide spoiler)].

And one final character that becomes unexpectedly sympathetic is the Crippled God. Another example of the series' ability to get into the heads of all of its actors.

Terence wrote: "ALL THINGS ANOMANDER:

I suppose my greatest difficulty with Rake is that he's too good to be true.

One of the criticisms (I think in some cases justified) of SE's books is the too frequent ap..."

The only character that made me feel like you do about Rake, was Felisin! God I hated her scenes and lost any respect for her way before she ever got to the Orthal Island! Which is why I have a love hate relationship with Deadhouse Gates, love Coltraine and hate Felisin!

Hey shells, so I think this is an interesting topic, because I feel there is a difference between your dislike of Felisen and Terences thoughts on Rake.

I have to make some assumptions here, so correct me if I am wrong. You dislike Felisen as a character, the bitchyness, self indulgence, dependancies on drugs and abusive lovers and the way she spoke to people. So you dislike the person, which is brilliant character writing on Eriksons part. Terrence on the other hand doesn't like Rake as he is not real enough, his part is not as believable as it could be.

When you said youngest all respect for Felisen, the first thing I thought of, was "Erikson nailed that character".

Lee wrote: "Hey shells, so I think this is an interesting topic, because I feel there is a difference between your dislike of Felisen and Terences thoughts on Rake.

I have to make some assumptions here, so co..."

Sorry I didn't respond yesterday I tried but my computer was acting up!

Anyway, yes Lee you are correct, SE hit ALL the right notes with Felisin, and being that I know more then you do at this point, I wont go into how complete he did his job with Felisin! And while most were fascinated by her I'll never be able to go there! :(

But there are so many characters to discuss and like, that I don't feel a great loss in Felisin.

Well she is "currently" dead. Sword through her. So unless she makes a come back, not sure why she would, or of course, it is possible that you meant Felisen the younger, you isn't dead.

Lee wrote: "Well she is "currently" dead. Sword through her. So unless she makes a come back, not sure why she would, or of course, it is possible that you meant Felisen the younger, you isn't dead."

She is dead, but what I meant was her "effect" will be felt by others for sometime to come...

And in keeping with all things Erikson, "What does dead really mean?"

Ewwwww such a tease comment eh!!! LOLLLLL...

I loved Felisin!
All the things that Lee mentioned is the reason I liked this character so much. Her sister betrayed her and she went through a lot, so her behaviour is kind of reasonable outcome for me.

On the other hand, I hate Tavore. She seems such a cold-hearted bitch, without having the reasonable background for being like this. But I have only drawn this conclusion based on the first four books that I've read so far. Maybe in The Bonehunters there would be more about her and the way she thinks.

Marina wrote: "I loved Felisin!
All the things that Lee mentioned is the reason I liked this character so much. Her sister betrayed her and she went through a lot, so her behaviour is kind of reasonable outcome f..."

I think the important thing to remember about Tavore is that a Commander of Troops CAN NOT show their TRUE feelings. Imagine if Coltraine had truly been scared thru WHOLE Chain of Dogs and his troops saw it....his troops would have defected, end of story! Because it's Tavore and a female, she REALLY can't EVER show emotions, doesn't mean she doesn't feel anything, because she does, you just haven't been shown that yet! :)

Shelley wrote: "Marina wrote: "I loved Felisin!
All the things that Lee mentioned is the reason I liked this character so much. Her sister betrayed her and she went through a lot, so her behaviour is kind of reas..."

Tavore's relationship with Felisin is more complicated than it appears. She's caught between the proverbial rock and a hard place and she's been tasked by ... arghhh!!! ... I can't spoil things!!!

But she did do the best she could for Felisin.

Yeah got a sense of that. When her Fist was remembering back at the Paran household, during the cull of nobles. It appeared that Tavore planned to have her squirreled away to avoid he mob.
Still, can't expect Felisen not to be bitter about that. I am looking forward to the "no personality Ganoes meeting up with, cold fish sister Tavore".

Ironic, both characters have no effect on me, but I await their meeting.

Terence wrote: "She's caught between the proverbial rock and a hard place and she's been tasked by ... arghhh!!! ... I can't spoil things!!! "

Hahaha.

Ian, it's only later that I finally finally thawed to Tavore, I was indifferent, and when I did I melted.

I disliked Felisin. Sure her path was destroyed, but when we grow up we plow on instead of self-destruction and using the blame game on everyone else and not herself.

Without sounding repetitive, I think the fact you have such strong feelings against Felisin shows just how good a character writer Erikson is.

I really liked the character Bauchelain, in MoI, I didn't like him or Korbal Broach, but I thought his character was well written. The arrogance was completely believable. I was much surprised to find out that they are no longer players in the series.

I said "Hoods breath" the other day work. I found there was one other Malazan fan in the office; as he was the only one not to frown.

Damn! This is a difficult one!


I think my favorite one is Tehol! I remember that scene when Bugg is telling him that he don’t have enough material to make him a regular pant… and he has to choices he either walks around in shorts or he gets a pant with only one leg! And he chooses the one leg pant! Cuz nobody wants to look stupid wearing freaking shorts! I almost fell of my chair laughing that day! He is so right tho….


Then there is Karsa who turned me into that weirdo that says “witness” every time he is about to lift something heavy!


Quick Ben!!! Second coolest wizard ever!!! (nobody beats Gandalf the grey) so many awesome scenes with him… it will be hard to name my favorite one… but when he “summons” the demons and the demons and it’s an illusion… but is such a good of an illusion that people start actually dying!!! Or when he goes against the Letheri fleet and he does his thing… dude! Brilliant!!!


That drunken captain of the bone hunters… I always forget her name! but I adore her!!!! When she devices a plan to exchange a bottle of rum for a dagger to kill some dude… and then she start planning on changing the blade back for alcohol! She is the cutest!!! And she manages to conquer letherii one bar at the time!!!


Kalam!!! The Avatar of badassnes! Seriously! If there was a house of Badassness Kalam will be their first choice for First sword! When he goes against the claw in Malazan city… and the leader of the claw sends his special unit designed to stop him! And only him!!! And he just “cuts through them” wow!!!


Traveler! That guy is just crazy! Fucking crazy!!!


Iskaral Pust!!!! Magi of fucking house of Shadow!!! He is like an evil Kupree! A little bit crazier than him!



Shadow throne and Cotillion what a couple!!!



I can go on for ever! over all Erickson created an amazing world full with even more amazing characters… I don’t know how he did it but I like to picture Erickson in a room full of name covered walls a la Beautiful mind… but whatever it was he did ir right! I’m still a little mad that he is Canadian! But hey! Not everyone is perfect!

Oh the drunken Letherii captain was hysterical! The war takes a turn because of her need for drink!

And Tehol's sheet. Wonderful.

i forgot about lady envy and toc the younger! damn! and Tehol's wife!!! omg!!! so many wonderful characters~!

and Rake! and the great raven! and the alchemist!

and Tool and Icarum and his companion and the prince of the Shake and and and! oh god! somebody stop me!!!

OMG that's right the Ravens. (view spoiler)[Loved the explanation - pieces of the shattered god. (hide spoiler)]

OK my favorites:

Rake
Rake
Rake (sticks tongue out at Terence)
Tavore
The drunken captain whasshername
Quick Ben
Cotillion
Trull
Tehol
Bugg (view spoiler)[Mael (hide spoiler)]
Seren Pedac
Brys Bennedict
Ganoes
Kruppe

Ganoes?! wow he really must change in the coming books, I currently find him as interesting as wet sand. He has no personality, apart from a "woe is me, why me" trait.

Interesting that Fiddler and Whiskeyjack do not make many fav lists.

argg! i dont want to spoil anything for you! but trust me he gets cooler!

also! i forgot about drake!!!!! (view spoiler)[ when he is meeting with that priest from i dont remember where... and he is staring at her... and finally she goes "shall i dance!?" and Drake goes "shall i sing!?" he is such a cool bad ass "serious" character and that coming from him really did cracked me up! (hide spoiler)]

LOL so....let me get this right;

Ganoes gets cooler and Tavore gets warmer

Hopefully Felisin doesn't get undead

Midnight Tides,

re - Shurq Ellale drowned.

"But, as it turned out, there was dead and then there was dead."

Never a truer word has been spoken when reading a Erikson book.

I hope Felisin gets undead lol. Even if Tavore gets warmer in the next books, Felisin will still be one of my favourites!
What about Coltaine and Uncle in Deadhouse Gates?

Uncle....... that was the other guy I was thinking of, I thought his witty repertoire with Coltaine and Duiker was very very witty. I loved the dry sense of humour and the absolute understating of things.

Duiker is character I really liked, I am sure we'll see him again, since he is locked up in a bottle somewhere.

Oh shit, I did leave out Whiskeyjack, both he and Fiddler get more awesome.

I didn't appreciate Coltaine until later in the books.

The problem I know I had is that in the first read, especially the first few books, I was racing to make sense of it all plot wise. I settled down in the latter books, thus just what Coltaine was and his achievements, courage, compassion and strength didn't hit me while reading. And I think also that the horrible images of violence and tragedy made me close my heart a bit.

Lee wrote: "Ganoes?! wow he really must change in the coming books, I currently find him as interesting as wet sand. He has no personality, apart from a "woe is me, why me" trait.

Interesting that Fiddler and..."

Lee I included Fiddler and Whiskyjack in my list of favorites!! I also said Tehol and Bugg and their whole crew which I was mainly thinking of Shurq, but really all the people they deal with are hilarious!!!!! :)

And Marina thanks for reminding me that I LOVED Uncle!!! He was frigging AWESOME!! :)

Lee wrote: "LOL so....let me get this right;

Ganoes gets cooler and Tavore gets warmer"

I wouldn't say Ganoes gets cooler or that Tavore gets warmer (because she doesn't)....they just both grow up and you grow with them because you've been thru the shit with them eh, and they do go thru some shit!!! :)

Oh man, just scrolling down the comments gave me enought time to think about it for how long it was!
Hmm...so I have too many to fully name and since im only on House of Chains, I'm missing alot of charaters.... My top 10 (not necessarily in this order)
1 Anomander Rake
2 Fiddler (Strings)
3 Whiskeyjack
4 Quick Ben
5 Kalam Mekar
6 Gruntle
7 Sorry (or Dancer, but not Apsalar im not such a fan for some reason, maybe cause I cant relate..?)
8 Hedge
9 Toc the Younger
10 and any other Bridgeburner who wasn't mentioned!
Wait! Forgot one super important cool guy...Coltaine!!!

Hey Matthew!!! I see you are a new member of the Bridgeburners, so welcome!! Bro your photo of Rake is SICK!! :) Can't find fault with your character list at all!! :) If you get a chance check out the Fantasy reading group, we are currently reading the Malazan Book of the Fallen and ICE!! Great discussion threads on SE's work!! :)



Shells:)

It seems Anomander Rake has a huge fan club.
I was quite indifferent to this character... Not only because of the deus ex machina that Terence points out, but also because he had a specific disposition and nothing else. No internal struggles etc... Too shallow for me I guess.
Does anyone else feel me? :(

I agree with you Marina. The only time I actually felt he showed any personality was at the dinner function in Darjustian, spelt that wrong, I think it was in Gardens or deadhouse, the big dinner where the escaped demon comes to visit.

Apart from that, I have felt he is just a big guy with a sword and a ball in te sky.

Damn... maybe is cuz I read all of them already... but I really feel sorry for drake! Dragunipur is one heavy load for anyone who carries it... drake its is awesome!

Amen! I think he's got a ton of depth, but doesn't show it. He's weary, he carries the load of the sword, his mother has turned her back, he's lived thousands of years and seen his people depressed that whole time, but he goes on and does his best. He's beyond outward emotion and personality. He knows what he has to do, and is waiting for the time when he can release himself from the stage. Until then, he plays his part 100% for the good.

Sure he's Ideal, but I also see him as very much a being who accepts his role.

Anomander Rake
Tavore
Icarium
Hellian
Hood
Samar Dev
Silchas Ruin

I just loved Toll the Hounds! Specially Rake scenes and Kruppe vs. Pust duel...

I forgot pust vs kruppe!! Great scenes!!


What makes you like tavore???

Because she was the mystery even Quick couldn't puzzle out, and that says something. And also, there's something about her, as her Bonehunters say, that makes people feel loyal to her, even after all those miserable battles she drags them through.

Smiles is giving me lots of laughs at the moment, I'd hate to be on the end of one her attacks, she seems somewhat very sharp.

Lori wrote: "Amen! I think he's got a ton of depth, but doesn't show it. He's weary, he carries the load of the sword, his mother has turned her back, he's lived thousands of years and seen his people depressed..."

That's how I see Rake too, (but also the whole race) member back in MiI where Whiskyjack and Rake spend that night drinking and sharing, as we say in the Army, "war" stories?? I came to really love him then, but after Rake tries to stop Whiskyjack from killing the crazy wives of the first seed, he was my man!! TtH Rake's story is more in the forefront and you'll get to see the struggle that Rake never wavers from but walks towards it without wavering! :)

@42, Iresh... You bring up ONE of the funniest scenes in the entire series!!! I ALMOST pissed myself laughing at Kruppe and Pust!!! Oh and those mules!!!! What are those mules exactly???

I think we all should get to have a 50 favorite characters list because there are so many of them, the ones that make us laugh, the ones that make us proud and want to fight next to them, the ones we love to hate. On that note Tavore is so complex and we are left to follow her without receiving a damn thing but to know we did the right thing...imagine that?

Finally @45 Lee, Gods man Smiles is lovely isn't she!! :O I swear she is just one of many awesome Erikson women!! I asked him where he got his insight on women, he said that he didn't have any special insight, but I have to humbly disagree with him!! Wait to Reaper's Gale, Sgt Hellian will have you rolling on the floor!! :)

Alfonso wrote: "I forgot pust vs kruppe!! Great scenes!!


What makes you like tavore???"


Hahaha ! Amazing! I'm crazy about the woman for the same reason... I mean you don't know what I know! And after the last book I was wondering if I was "buyinh shit" from erickson or just fascinated by her! But after you comment ima go with the last... she offers you nothing but to know that you doing the right thing by followin her throught the the storm! I no longer think that erickson was doing the whole "telling and not showing) with her... she is pretty damn complicated! Standing there... looking like she is about to be broken! And god damn you just have to help her! Like kalam in malazan island! How can one say no to her???

Alfonso wrote: "Alfonso wrote: "I forgot pust vs kruppe!! Great scenes!!


What makes you like tavore???"


Hahaha ! Amazing! I'm crazy about the woman for the same reason... I mean you don't know what I know! An..."

Hmmmmmm....ummm just how do you know more then I do Alfonso, I've read the whole series twice and am working on my third read with the Fantasy reading group!!! :)) I have to completely agree with you, she had me when she gave the "Unwitnessed" speech waaaaay back when!!! :)

oh shit! I misread you! I though you didn't know what was her goal and that you were reading memories of ice! My bad!

Sooooo, Leoman just devalued his morality and ethics somewhat, amazing what a hot woman and a bit of olive oil can do to a revolution.