On the Book Elantris
Moving stuff from Facebook for archival purposes.
I was inspired to continue writing about the books I’ve read that I’ve associated with my life.
Anyway, everybody who knows me well knows that I love Brandon Sanderson and his books (known broadly as the Cosmere). I was first introduced to Sanderson by my brother’s friend who lent me his Kindle (which, as an aside, began my love for ebooks) and inside, a collection of fiction books ranging from The Wheel of Time to Dune. With it, I’ve randomly chose to read Legion, one of Sanderson’s old books, and found it very easy to read, fun, and a delight to the mind.
Anyway, when I got my first paycheck from my first job as an underbar associate in Makati, I was wandering around Fully Booked at Powerplant Mall when I saw a copy of Sanderson’s Elantris on sale. Intrigued by my previous experience with Legion, I bought the book (around 600 pesos!) and brought it home with me.
I’ve read the book for around two weeks: In my very bare room at Poblacion while eating on the floor since I don’t have a table, at the then lonely tapsilogan in front of my place which doubles as my landlady’s second income, at work while coughing breathlessly because the office room was quite dusty… It was a treat! Sanderson perhaps don’t have the prose of Patrick Rothfuss or the guts of G.R.R. Martin, but Sanderson does promise you a fun time and that’s exactly what I got reading Legion, Elantris, and the rest of the Cosmere books.
After that, I’ve passed the Bar Exam, bought my own Kindle, moved on to another office, and started to read Sanderson’s other works. Every once in a while, when reaching the climax of his books (known to his fans as a Sanderstorm), I’ll pull an officemate and squeal how fun the book is getting.
In a way, Sanderson reminds me of myself five years ago, transitioning from law school to a fully independent adult life as a lawyer - optimistic, a wide-eyed idealist, and still yet to be hammered down by the world that is. Like, you know, Rocky running up the steps and raising his fists on to the air.
Easily 5/5 stars, will read again.