Wizard's First Rule: Difference between revisions
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==Wizard's First Rule== |
==Wizard's First Rule== |
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This volume reveals the Wizard's First Rule: |
This volume reveals the Wizard's First Rule: |
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People will believe what the want to be true or what they fear to be true. |
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{{quote|"People are stupid; given proper motivation, almost anyone will believe almost anything. Because people are stupid, they will believe a lie because they want to believe it's true, or because they are afraid it might be true. People’s heads are full of knowledge, facts, and beliefs, and most of it is false, yet they think it all true. People are stupid; they can only rarely tell the difference between a lie and the truth, and yet they are confident they can, and so are all the easier to fool."|Chapter 36, p.397, U.S. hardcover edition}} |
{{quote|"People are stupid; given proper motivation, almost anyone will believe almost anything. Because people are stupid, they will believe a lie because they want to believe it's true, or because they are afraid it might be true. People’s heads are full of knowledge, facts, and beliefs, and most of it is false, yet they think it all true. People are stupid; they can only rarely tell the difference between a lie and the truth, and yet they are confident they can, and so are all the easier to fool."|Chapter 36, p.397, U.S. hardcover edition}} |
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Revision as of 05:06, 6 November 2009
Author | Terry Goodkind |
---|---|
Cover artist | Doug Beekman |
Language | English |
Series | The Sword of Truth |
Genre | Epic fantasy |
Publisher | Tor Fantasy |
Publication date | August 1994 |
Publication place | United States |
Media type | Print (Hardback) |
Pages | 479 |
ISBN | 0-312-85705-5 |
OCLC | 30547887 |
813/.54 20 | |
LC Class | PS3557.O5826 W59 1994 |
Preceded by | Debt of Bones |
Followed by | Stone of Tears |
Wizard's First Rule, written by Terry Goodkind, is the bestselling first book in the epic fantasy series The Sword of Truth. Published by Tor Books, it was released on August 15, 1994 in hardcover and in paperback on July 15, 1997. The book also was re-released with new cover artwork by Keith Parkinson in paperback on June 23, 2001. The novel has been adapted to television in the 2008 television series Legend of the Seeker.
Rights to the novel were sold at auction by Goodkind for $275,000,[1] the most ever paid for a fantasy novel by a first time author.[2]
Plot introduction
Richard Cypher's decision to help a woman in the Upper Ven near the Boundary between the Midlands and Westland sires more trouble than first appears. The woman, Kahlan Amnell, seeks the help of a wizard in the Westland, and she brings with her dark news from the other side of the Boundary: Darken Rahl, Ruler of D'Hara, has brought down the Boundary between D'Hara and the Midlands. This menacing ruler continues his dead father's quest for control by pressing war on the now vulnerable Midlands. Kahlan wants the wizard to name a Seeker of Truth who can try to stop Darken Rahl. When she finds the Old Wizard, he names Richard to be the Seeker and starts him on the quest that will forever alter the world.
Plot summary
The primary protagonist in Wizard’s First Rule is Richard Cypher, a young woods guide. Richard lives in an area of the world known as Westland, which is the only part of the world that at the time contained no magic. The Westland is separated from the other lands by a dangerous magical boundary that prevents anyone without powerful magic from passing through it. On the other side of the boundary lie many sovereign nations, jointly known as the Midlands, and the empire of D'Hara. Richard works as a woods guide leading important political figures through dangerous forests, while his brother's interests lie entirely in politics.
Richard is naturally compelled to investigate the mysterious murder of his father when he happens upon a woman named Kahlan Amnell, whom he helps keep alive as she is being hunted by a group of four men known as a quad.
After saving Kahlan’s life, it is revealed that Kahlan has somehow come through the boundary and is now searching for the First Wizard, who is rumored to have crossed into the Westland before the creation of the boundaries. Richard feels that this woman is in need of protection and takes her to the only man he can trust, his best friend and mentor, Zedd.
Richard discovers that this close friend of his has kept many secrets from him for his entire life; Zedd is not the simple man that Richard had presumed him to be, but rather the wizard for whom Kahlan is looking.
Kahlan tells him of the events taking place on the other side of the boundary. An evil leader called Darken Rahl is leading his army against the Midlands. At the same time, Zedd comes to the decision that Richard is the one Seeker of Truth and gives him the Sword of Truth. They begin their journey together to stop Darken Rahl and prevent him from opening the boxes of Orden, magical devices which can give absolute power over life and death. Kahlan tells them that Rahl has two of the boxes but requires the third before he is able to make the magic work; Richard and Kahlan are tasked with finding the third box and keeping it out of Rahl's hands until the winter solstice at which time unless Rahl has successfully opened a box his life will be forfeit to the magic of Orden.
However, due to a series of events, Richard and Kahlan are forced to cross the boundary alone and go on to the village of the Mud People in hopes of finding out where the third box of Orden is hidden. From there, they learn that only the witch woman, Shota, in Agaden Reach, has the power to reveal to them the location of the last box of Orden.
Richard and Kahlan travel to Agaden Reach where Shota tells them that the last box is in the hands of Queen Milena. From Agaden Reach they travel to Tamarang, seat of Queen Milena, meeting back up with Zedd along the way.
The story continues as it follows the team of Richard, Kahlan, Zedd and Chase as they attempt to collect one of the mysterious boxes of Orden and prevent Darken Rahl from gaining absolute power.
Characters in Wizard's First Rule
- Richard Cypher
- Kahlan Amnell
- Zeddicus Zu'l Zorander
- Adie
- George Cypher
- Michael Cypher
- Darken Rahl
- Demmin Nass
- Chase
- Giller
- Queen Milena
- Princess Violet
- Rachel
- Denna
- Shota
- Samuel
- Brophy
- Scarlet
- Panis Rahl
- The Mud People
Wizard's First Rule
This volume reveals the Wizard's First Rule:
People will believe what the want to be true or what they fear to be true.
"People are stupid; given proper motivation, almost anyone will believe almost anything. Because people are stupid, they will believe a lie because they want to believe it's true, or because they are afraid it might be true. People’s heads are full of knowledge, facts, and beliefs, and most of it is false, yet they think it all true. People are stupid; they can only rarely tell the difference between a lie and the truth, and yet they are confident they can, and so are all the easier to fool."
— Chapter 36, p.397, U.S. hardcover edition
TV series
The first season of the TV series Legend of the Seeker is based on Wizard's First Rule. Starring Craig Horner as Richard and Bridget Regan as Kahlan, the series is produced by Sam Raimi and Robert Tapert, and expands upon the themes of the book's storyline. It premiered on November 1, 2008.
References
- ^ White, Ken (August 1, 2000). "Author relies on memory to create fantasy tales". Review-Journal.
- ^ Flewelling, Lynn (November, 1995). "Terry Goodkind Interview". Bangor Daily News.
External links
- Official Terry Goodkind website
- Unofficial Terry Goodkind website (endorsed by Terry Goodkind)
- Official TV series website
- Welcome to the Sword of Truth Wiki, including characters, places, items, etc.