Tad Williams Was Late to His Own Revolution | A Spoiler-free Overview of His Fantasy & SF Works

Early in his writing career, Tad Williams was a trendsetter who helped push the evolution of modern high fantasy beyond the Tolkien template. He set a standard that other writers have striven to match (and few have surpassed) for complex and realistic worldbuilding that incorporates politics, religions, economic systems, and the grime, grit and brutality of life in a medieval world.

He also wrote an early cyberpunk science fiction epic that seems remarkably prescient nearly 30 years later. However, his venture into science fiction sidetracked him for several years, allowing authors Robert Jordan and George R. R. Martin to claim the crown as the kings of the fantasy genre in his absence.

In total, Williams has written 26 novels and dozens of short stories over the past 40 years. In this video, I discuss some of what makes his writing distinctive, and I briefly review nearly all of his works.

0:48 Prelude
1:36 Bio
2:38 Hallmarks of his writing
5:28 Common themes
5:54 Subversive goals
9:10 Why he isn't more renowned
14:58 Tailchaser's Song
17:05 Memory, Sorrow & Thorn
22:01 Otherland
26:10 The War of the Flowers
28:09 Shadowmarch
30:24 Ordinary Farm
31:52 Bobby Dollar
35:58 Last King of Osten Ard
39:49 Shorter fiction

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The detailed reviews of Memory, Sorrow & Thorn by Jimmy @thefantasynuttwork that I reference in the video can be found at:

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Artwork Credits:
DC Comics
DALL-E
Donato Giancola
Gellihana
Hieronymous Bosch
Kerem Beyit
Matt Rhodes
Michael Whelan
Naligal
Wayne Barlowe

#booktube #fantasybooks #fantasy #sciencefiction #scifi #booktubesff #sfalliance

[thelibraryladder]

Due to events outside my control (including heavy professional commitments, travel, and an untimely bout with the flu) this video took a lot longer to produce than I expected. I apologize to anyone who's been waiting patiently since my community post teased it three weeks ago.

[sandwichdelta]

There's truly nothing better than someone with a pleasant voice talking at length about something they're both knowledgeable and passionate about. This is an absolute gem of a channel, and I've found some great books I've never even heard of through videos like this one.

[malcolmhays]

It's a crime he hasn't been recognized for his works. He truly is a master of epic fantasy.

[Severian]

Tad deserves more attention than he has now and I am so glad for this video! Him inspiring GRRM is perhaps the understatement of the year. So many elements in ASoIaF have their origins in Osten Ard. I hope more people give him a try.

[DarthLobitou]

There is one small thing that Tad Williams does that no other author I've read does consistently, and that's adding a "the story thus far..." summary at the beginning of each new book in a series. This, to me, feels like he respects his readers and is aware most of us would've read dozens or more books in between the last entry and the latest. It may seem like a small thing, but for us avid readers who can't stand still between releases of a single series, it is a great help. Plus, it makes his books easier to revisit whether by going through them all over again or just picking and choosing your favorite passages. I only just read Otherland back in 2015, but for two months of my life I could think of nothing else than those books, so enthralled was I. Few other authors have managed to hold my attention captive even when doing something other than reading. Not Martin, not Rothfuss (both of whom I don't care much for, if I'm to be perfectly honest), not even Sanderson with his intricate (oftentimes confusing) shared universe. The downside to this may be that Tad is the kind of author you have to set special time apart for the first time you jump into his worlds, and his books have a hard time being that book you only read during your morning commutes.

[NaliniKluth]

Tad Williams is quite popular over here in Germany. I met him about 26 years ago during a book presentation and afterwards me and my wife had dinner with him and his agent. He is such a sweet and nice character and he certainly deserves better. I love all his books, but still my favourites are his 4 Otherworld novels. I had never read anything like this ... and have never since. Brillant!

[SuperPlastered]

I read Otherland a long time ago and it still hangs with me. My friend who passed a couple of years ago gifted me The Dragonbone Chair and it’s time to read it!! Thank you for bringing Tad to YouTube!!!

[thefantasynuttwork]

One of the best booktube videos I’ve ever watched. Tad is such a legend and a heck of a guy. Love seeing a big video like this dedicated to him. You’re quality is great!! Thanks so much for the mention 😃

[salindrab]

Tad Williams may be a slow writer but he at least finishes his series, as opposed to other highly acclaimed authors (yes, GRRM and Patrick Rothfuss, am looking at you!). I read Otherland back then as soon as each of the books have been published. I could hardly wait for the last volume "The Sea of the Silver Light" to be finally published. Just two weeks ago I started a reread of the series and must say I enjoy and value it even more now than 20 years ago. Highly recommend it. Wiliams deserves much, much more attention for his work. Thank you for giving him justice.

[dugonman]

A lot of people enter the fantasy genre by traveling through middle-earth or Narnia, Hogwarts or westoros or randland, but my 14 year old self began that journey by beating a weary traveler of osten ard.

Tad still to this day is my favorite contemporary author next to Gene Wolfe. He is so sublime in his writing and worldbuilding and storytelling that, as a struggling writer myself, he's one of those guys that teaches me utter humility at being such a master of his craft.

[josephd]

Great video. I believe that George RR Martin said after reading The Dragonbone Chair that somebody is finally doing something with the fantasy genre. Memory, Sorrow and Thorn still stands the test of time.

[Ekaidseaky]

I think Tad Williams is probably the best fantasy writer ive read. Memory, sorrow, and thorn. Reads like that missing piece in fantasy. In between that classical epic fantasy and the new modern epic fantasy. Using the best of both worlds

[CaptainAugust]

Can't agree with you more. Tad's prose is probably my favorite I've ever read. Beautiful and poetic but also very accessible and easy to read. The world and character building is so natural and immersive. I suggest him to everyone who will listen lol. He really is "your favorite writer's favorite writer" lol

[JediHobbit]

I've been a huge Williams fan ever since a friend from church recommended Memory Sorrow and Thorn to me almost a decade ago. I'm glad someone's giving him the recognition he rightfully deserves. I also love the focus on the Sithi and Norns in the sequel series, since the Sithi twins were two of my favorite characters in the original.

Also, I love this guy's voice. Just subscribed and I look forward to hearing more from him.

[songsayswhat]

Tad Williams is a phenomenal author. So glad to see you talking about him.

[Metateller]

I didn't really expect you to cover Williams, so this is a pleasant surpirse for me. I have only read his Osten Ard books, but I have liked them so much so far that I'm quite interested in reading his other stuff.
Thank you for giving more visibility to an author whose work deserves more recognition in today's literary internet circles (specially among younger people).

[Canoe]

I only started reading fantasy four years ago at age 55 with Gardens of the Moon. I had no idea fantasy could be written like this and this well. I have since completed books by about 36 fantasy authors and more than double that in booktuber recommended books which I decided not to read after reading the Kindle samples.

Guy Gavriel Kay and Tad Williams are easily my favourite fantasy authors because they are the only two authors whose hardcover books I buy at full price on release 🙂

[Banefane]

Reading memory sorrow thorn books was like sticking VHS tapes in my brain and watching the movie.
I was excited to see Seoman and the other characters grow over time.
It was something completely new for me.
I remember feeling Binabik as the best companion one can have!

[nickfoster]

Tad Williams is probably my favourite author. I was late to the game in discovering him, but ever since I got very heavily into reading about eight years ago, I came upon The Dragonbone Chair, and I loved every page. The day after I began reading that book, I went straight to the bookstore and bought the rest of trilogy and devoured it in a few weeks. Every book of his I've read since has been pure joy. I love huge, sprawling, complex fantasy that doesn't rely on nonstop, super bloody battle scenes.

[Arsenal.N.I]

Perfect time for this video. I was just thinking about reading his trilogy for the 1st time, these last few days... Been wanting to get into fantasy again after reading more literary work these last few years. Was thinking this might be the place to jump back in.