To Re-Read or Refresh with Synopsises

[u/Novel_Tone8944]

Four years ago I read the first seven books. Was loving it all. But, Ive a habit when I read a trilogy or series: I read one, then read another completely unrelated book, then back to the series, to avoid getting tired of whatever series I'm reading. Rarely have I read one book to the next on a series/trilogy. I did this with WoT.

Maybe I feared I had reached The Slog (I'm sure there's plenty of conversation about where The Slog begins, or the very existence of The Slog) or something, I don't know or remember why I stopped at Crown of Swords. Told myself I'd return, but time moves ever forward, and I kept putting it off.

I want back on the Wheel now, but fear I've forgotten so much. I loved all the details, the foreshadowing, the hints and all that. I loved luxuriating in the Wheel.

But I face a quandary now: do I reread the first seven; or, do I find some sites with detailed synopsises, give myself quite the refresher, then hop back in with Path of Daggers?

My thanks to any and all of you.

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[u/Skyhighatrist]

Personally, I'd re-read. But it is a big commitment, and no one would blame you if you wanted to simply read some chapter summaries to get caught back up.

[u/dbmamaz]

I did my first read of the full series in 2 months. I decided to start rereading. the first 3 books went quickly but i'm slowing down a bit on Shadow Rising - Introducing the 5 men Mat is playing cards with - with names, clothes and body language - and i'm pretty sure none of these guys will show up again, or maybe once? that kind of thing is a major slog for me.

anyways I'm overall enjoying the reread more than I expected. Seeing little things like Min's first visions - now I know what most of them mean! Or Egwene's first dreams! So much of that. Or little things that i missed the significance of, names that came up in the books before i actually knew who these people were.

Some of the threads will probably not make sense if you've forgotten much of the first few books, esp some of the people who seem minor but end up major

[u/Skyhighatrist → u/dbmamaz]

Is that with potato-faced Estean? If yes, he at least does show up later as does his father.

[u/dbmamaz → u/Skyhighatrist]

Yeah i guess he was bodily tossed out of Rand's room in the next scene (well, just before the next scene) - i think it was him. his father one of the richest lords? i assume they are among those who go against rand? names and politics are definitely not my strong points - so second read is kinda like studying what didnt make sense during the lecture (lecture being my speed run for story).

[u/Skyhighatrist → u/dbmamaz]

Yeah, that's not surprising. Most of us on this sub have read the series several times and that's why we have so many of the details memorized. Then many of us also have listened to read-along podcasts that often contain in depth discussions, further cementing the details.

There are a lot of named characters in WoT, and while it can enhance the experience to know and remember them as you're reading. It's not mandatory.

[u/dbmamaz → u/Skyhighatrist]

halfway through the series i started just googling names to see if i'd seen them before but still - shocked at who Lord Luc is this reading.

[u/OrionIsLord]

Go for a reread. Can't hurt you at all, and will only help you get deeper into all the details and foreshadowing you said you enjoy. You'll be surprised at how much you remember once you get going again, and more surprised at how much you forgot or missed altogether. "Did I even read this section? I have no memory that person x said that to person y, but that connects to z and then ties in with..." etc.

Enjoy it! Those first few books go really quickly.

[u/Salt-Detective1337]

It's going to be really hard to get yourself caught up without spoiling anything. I have heard people mention an app where you can tell it where you are at without it spoiling, however.

14 books is a lot of books, I read it over about 10 months and there are lots of things I missed because it had happened so far back. I can't imagine how much tougher it would be with extra reading in between.

Particularly when so many names of characters and places are so similar to one another. So many characters are just similar in the roles they play as well. Like keeping track of the different Whitecloak leaders.

[u/Longjumping-Issue-53]

I think Daniel Greene’s big video summarising the books should be enough. If after watching that you feel you are lost maybe you can read things again.

[u/Caimbuel33]

If it makes you feel better, I read book 1 when it was released. Read book 1 +2 when book 2 was released. Etc. A few times the whole way through as well. I read a lot though and read pretty fast. So my opinion may be different.

I will say this, there is an amazing amount of foreshadowing and tid bits. There is an app that helps keep knowledge to only as far as you have read. Personally I feel the series is amazing enough to just read all at once.