A Web of Words: Pattern and Meaning in Robert Jordan’s The Wheel of Time

A characteristic of high fantasy literature of the latter part of the twentieth century has been the writing of multi-volume, complex series. This book uses Robert Jordan’s ‘The Wheel of Time’ sequence to explore the role and purpose of epic-style high fantasy, and that of fans, as storytellers and pattern makers. The book focuses on the mediaeval technique of interlacing as the key structuring device of ‘The Wheel of Time’ to unlock the intricate patterning of Jordan’s narrative. Close readings of Jordan’s novels offer answers to key questions: What are the patterns in Jordan’s texts? How do they feature in the work? What functions do they serve in the work in regard to narrative, meaning and in relationship to the reader?