The Books: To Read or Not To Read

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May 2012

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______ Holidays ______
May 28 - Memorial Day

[Yaynenali Resident]

Years ago, a good friend of mine introduced me to the world of Gor. I'd never heard of it before she told me about it and had never seen any of the books. Instantly intrigued, I bought the first three books and sat down and read them. I knew when I started the first book, that Gor was a lifestyle that I wanted to roleplay. And so my journey into SL Gor began.

My immediate fondness of the societal structure, their ways of life, how detailed JN was in his imaginary world and how I recognized our own history in his writings did not take me by surprise. What did take me by surprise is my love-hate relationship with his writing style.

I find his method of writing sloppy, unprofessional and that of a less skilled writer. His train of thought bounces around so harshly that it takes him a whole chapter to tell one complete thought. That is, of course, because he mixes it with several other thoughts, all handed to the reader in tiny pieces. It's much like speaking to someone with an inability to focus. I have someone in my RL that talks like this. She starts on one thought then jumps to another and yet another before I finally reel her back in on her initial thought. An hour later, she'll finally make her point.

I'm so thrilled to read more about his imaginary world of his but the writing is so difficult to read through. Dare I use the word "painful" even?

Thinking about this today as I'm up to the double digits in the books now, I started to wonder about them. Does anyone actually enjoy reading these books or do we all read them simply to be better roleplayers? Does the fascination of the world of Gor make the writing more bearable for others? How important do you feel the books are to roleplaying in SL Gor?

[Blade Snowdrop]

The books are ESSENTIAL to BTB rp. End of topic lol

[Kaitlin Eiren]

I can honestly say I enjoyed them and I've read 27 of them so far.  Those few I haven't read yet I just really couldn't get into the story for various reasons but with the purchase of Mariners I intend to go back and give it the old college try before reading the newest which I'm pretty excited to read.  I don't find his writing style any worse than some other fictional fictional writers of long running series and he is better than some.  I can  still remember the look on this elderly ladies face when she gave me a bag with 10 of the first books when I was too young to be reading about Gor  .  It was almost like she and I were sharing a secret.  One of the best $1 I ever spent.

I believe the books are necessary to gorean RP.  The fact that this is even a question that gets debated frequently really highlights the issues in SL gorean RP.  My recommendation to anyone interested in gorean RP would be reading Tarnsman of Gor at a minimum.  Following that with one or two that highlight the role you have chosen would be ideal.  I used to recommend reading 1-13 in order since it provides a complete framework of the genre but I know a hopeless case when I'm see one.

[Yaynenali Resident]

The books are ESSENTIAL to BTB rp. End of topic lol

*laughs!* We now return you to your regularly scheduled forum posting, already in progress.  

My love of history and how societies function coupled with my goal to roleplay accurately is the only reason why I've been reading them. His writing style is not enjoyable for me.

I should have made a poll!

I believe the books are necessary to gorean RP.  The fact that this is even a question that gets debated frequently really highlights the issues in SL gorean RP.  My recommendation to anyone interested in gorean RP would be reading Tarnsman of Gor at a minimum.  Following that with one or two that highlight the role you have chosen would be ideal.  I used to recommend reading 1-13 in order since it provides a complete framework of the genre but I know a hopeless case when I'm see one.

Does this really come up often? I thought I'd made such an original post.

I will admit that I contemplated not reading any more of them but then I feel guilty, like I am cheating myself and others out of the roleplay that I don't even know that I'm missing because I haven't read that part of the culture yet.

[Frang01]

I agree with Blade. You cannot expect to RP By The Book if you've never read one or done your homework.

Granted, there are a lot of website out there that provide the abridged versions of what Gor is, but I use those as a quick reference to refresh my memory on some of the more obscure items I've read. But reading the books themselves leads to a much clearer understanding as well as provide many of the finer details that will help develop a more refined and accurate role for the RP'er.

Having said that, I also agree that JN's writing style is indeed a difficult read at times. Especially when he reiterates the same topic over and over in multiple books. I have convinced myself he does that in the event someone has not read any others books and has no idea what a slave is.

But for anyone planning to take on a non-main stream role, reading the books that bring that role to the forefront is essential if you as the RP'er have a desire to be taken seriously.

Now, I need to go find two human females to take to the lake so I can get a bath and have a snack.

[lizzy Starfall]

Does anyone actually enjoy reading these books or do we all read them simply to be better roleplayers?

I do enjoy the stories very much. I even cried real tears at the end of Captive of Gor.  For me, it was difficult to get past the first two books. I think also for some people, they would rather spend what spare time they have to role play rather than read without realizing how much more intense and fun the role play would be if they stepped back and read the books first.


Does the fascination of the world of Gor make the writing more bearable for others?

I have to think about this one.

How important do you feel the books are to role-playing in SL Gor?

For me, no question, reading the books is essential for total immersion role play.  How can you paint a picture with words of a world you know little to nothing about?

[Delaynie Barbosa]

When I was new to Gor I went by the notecards, only to find out later that many quotes were taken out of context and manipulated to meet a given goal. That said, I've never finished  a book. About the time the main action happens and JN starts meandering through the avenues of Tarl's mind, I get tired. I would love to finish Tarnsman, but I am asleep by page 50 every time. I've read more of Kajira and Hunters then any other.

[Kaitlin Eiren]

I believe the books are necessary to gorean RP.  The fact that this is even a question that gets debated frequently really highlights the issues in SL gorean RP.  My recommendation to anyone interested in gorean RP would be reading Tarnsman of Gor at a minimum.  Following that with one or two that highlight the role you have chosen would be ideal.  I used to recommend reading 1-13 in order since it provides a complete framework of the genre but I know a hopeless case when I'm see one.

Does this really come up often? I thought I'd made such an original post.

I will admit that I contemplated not reading any more of them but then I feel guilty, like I am cheating myself and others out of the roleplay that I don't even know that I'm missing because I haven't read that part of the culture yet.

Not only does the topic of reading the books come up often but even in discussion on the forum it is obvious that reading the books is not a high priority for gorean RP.  I'm not sure there is a truly unique topic on the forum that hasn't been asked and answered in some fashion so I never mind when I see it come up again.  There are plenty of eyes that haven't seen it so there is value.

I won't lie.  If you stop at the first three you are missing out on a lot of stories that can inspire your own creative twists and turns in immersive RP IMHO.  There are some really awesome stories that open up the world of gorean RP more than you typically see in most BTB sims.  I am convinced it is the lack of knowledge that causes BTB to be restrictive of valid stories and extremely repetitive in most sims.  

Some of the later books also offer fun and humor such as Players and Magicians while others give you a more candid viewpoint of various characters such as the portrayal of FW in the Jason Trilogy.  It is still the same world yet we get to see it from more vantage points and we even get to see Tarl become more "gorean" in his thinking.

All that said, I'd never suggest anyone torture themselves with a book they didn't enjoy.  I love reading too much.

[Nigaltwaddlesworthiii]

I wont bother going on a long tirade about how I think people who want to role play in Gor should read the books to learn their ROLE..
cause I kind of already did that a few times on other threads..

I liked the books.. I know they get repetitive at times.. but I like the action (when JN finally gets to it).. and the humor (yes there are some real LOL moments in a few of them)... I even get caught up in the emotion of them at times.. yes I will admit that.. Hell..the scene in 'Nomads' when it looks like the end..the wagons are circled.. those inside ready to fight to the end.. shit.. THAT was a good read to me..

My point is.. I role play in Gor BECAUSE I read the books.. I fell in love with the story..and the people.. and the fantasy of this 'Counter Earth'..

So yes.. by all means.. read them.. you will find at least a few that you connect with on a higher level for what ever reason.. and those will become favorites. you may even find yourself wanting to role play those very things that you enjoyed reading about..

[Husam Darkfire]

I wont bother going on a long tirade about how I think people who want to role play in Gor should read the books to learn their ROLE..
cause I kind of already did that a few times on other threads..

I liked the books.. I know they get repetitive at times.. but I like the action (when JN finally gets to it).. and the humor (yes there are some real LOL moments in a few of them)... I even get caught up in the emotion of them at times.. yes I will admit that.. Hell..the scene in 'Nomads' when it looks like the end..the wagons are circled.. those inside ready to fight to the end.. shit.. THAT was a good read to me..

My point is.. I role play in Gor BECAUSE I read the books.. I fell in love with the story..and the people.. and the fantasy of this 'Counter Earth'..

So yes.. by all means.. read them.. you will find at least a few that you connect with on a higher level for what ever reason.. and those will become favorites. you may even find yourself wanting to role play those very things that you enjoyed reading about..

Lifts his Tuchuk arm up pointing a finger to the post above "What he said"

[Alaria Voss]

The books are ESSENTIAL to BTB rp. End of topic lol

yes!

I have read the first 27, and certainly enjoyed some more than others.  Some I have read several times, others I struggled to finish.

Ala is Tuchuk because I read Nomad's first, but over the past 5 or so years of rp in SL Gor she has lived in different places, and been owned by men from various castes and pasts.  Book knowledge of the customs helps to flavour that.  Her life in the desert was vastly differnt to her time living near the schendi, her time owned by a high scribe (pompous bastard   ) was vastly different from her time in the collar of the red savage slaver.

She has been exposed to "high slaves", even expected to act like one, and been treated as the lowest girl, she has been first girl in charge of training others, and even subject to the training of an uppity slave.  All those things while played out in rp, are enhanced tenfold with the knowledge gleened from the books.  Ala's story is her own, but it is influenced and moulded by the world created in the books.  Otherwise why call it Gorean rp?

[blaze Larkspur]

For me I agree with the read the books folks, primarally due to my deep belief that it is way more fun to RP with the proper frame work.  I am especially staunch on this point to the point of utter stubborness with anyone in a position of power and educationg others. I will get jumped on for this i am sure but here goes.

If You are going to be an Admin, High anything, Slaver, first girl, Ubar or anyone that is in a position to make the rules and uphold BTB then how can you do so and not have read the base for said RP.  I love the books, but then I loved my philosophy classes in college and my professor used the books to make a point and thus my love was born.
I as a parent would not knowingly allow my child to be taught by a teacher that only took some of the classes to do so.
Equally I would not elect a person that sorta new the laws.
So why then do we as a community stand back and allow this to continue.
The hub has a poll about are there to many gorean sims now, still others debate BTB, GE, and whatever else they are calling it now as if their lives depended upon it, but I have to wonder if the lack of book knowledge in these key positions is the real issue.  Hard to respect the ways of a Gorean if you have no clear educated idea what those ways are.  So then all the other points get lost in that one.
I have an Uncle that never votes yet always wants to argue politics to which I ask him did you vote? no then shush.
Reading the books is much the same.  I just don't see how you can really RP that which you have not studied.

[thyri Carver]

I think there's a degree by which one can take from the books to flavor their RP, and then there's book thumping.

Can I yank a quote out of my backside?  You betcha.  Does that enhance my RP however?  Ehhh not so much. 

I have a collection of original printings of the books, second printings, limited editions, one signed copy, all of the books on my kindle... etc.  Does that make me more able to RP in the genre than others?  Nope I dont think so. I think it makes me a collector of cover art. 

I think that many people could benefit from reading a book or two however, just to get the flavor of the environment that they RP in.  I dont think that its necessary to read 27 books to RP in the genre. 

I have noticed though, that those who read through Magicians have a slightly different outlook than those who read the last few books.  I think that when Witness came out, Gor tended to become a little more soft.  Because it focused a lot on "you're precious" rather than the harshness of Gor.  Did it degrade from the overall Gorean theme?  Not in the least, but you could see some disjoining.  With Swordsmen, you had the influx of Pani people into the RP environment.  We had discussions on messageboards how everyone wanted to RP a Pani.  You had, however, assassins taking a good chunk of those books to further enhance their role as well.  So you have two sides of that one book.  The later books I think were written more with the fandom in mind (in order for Norman to sell books) than the first 25. 

Slogging through 28 books however?  I dont think its "necessary" to be able to RP the genre.  I think one or two would be good for people to slog through to get the flavor of the world and to get the general theme without resorting to selective quotes being tossed around.   

[Kaitlin Eiren]

  I think one or two would be good for people to slog through to get the flavor of the world and to get the general theme without resorting to selective quotes being tossed around.   

Do people actually toss out quotes in RP?  I have never seen this so I suppose I feel pretty lucky.  At best I have seen a few tossed to a mod to justify a scene which even then I believe is questionable since hopefully the Mods have a clear understanding of the genre and of RP and can make an assessment without some JN coaching.

[Junea Demonia]

If You are going to be an Admin, High anything, Slaver, first girl, Ubar or anyone that is in a position to make the rules and uphold BTB then how can you do so and not have read the base for said RP.  I love the books, but then I loved my philosophy classes in college and my professor used the books to make a point and thus my love was born.I as a parent would not knowingly allow my child to be taught by a teacher that only took some of the classes to do so.
Equally I would not elect a person that sorta new the laws........... I just don't see how you can really RP that which you have not studied.

I do not think the comparison of your child being taught in school - and playing out some things from a bdsm romance novel in a virtual world - is a good one - maybe not even valid. One is about the education of your child - the other one is about killing some free time on the computer. Not even related in my book. Yes, it is very good if people read a few of the books - it gives them a much better idea of the overall world. But all 27 or 29? Or is it 30 now? I know I am not doing it. I role play just fine though - with my few gorean books I read.

Oh, are you saying your PHIL professor used the gorean novels in class to teach philosophy? No, right? If yes - he should be fired. Are you the person who wrote the dissertation about gorean philosophy?