Why so little Renarin love?

[DanTheSeamonster he/him]

I honestly don't really know how I feel about Renarin. At times he's kind, brave and likable, but then at other times he sits in the corner crying and going crazy because he can't handle the situations. I really enjoyed reading about him through WoK and the first half of WoR, but at the end of WoR I began to get annoyed with him.

[Comatose he/him]

Hey all,

 

The staff have noticed that some of the posts in this topic have been getting a little bit rude lately, and we would just like to remind everyone that while disagreement and differences of opinion are fine, we all need to be conscious of how our opinions are being expressed, particularly in circumstances where people may take a response personally.  Everyone, whether out of ignorance or carelessness, makes mistakes sometimes, and it is important to recognize that. 

 

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Basically, let's all try to be a little nicer to each other.  I think we are all pretty good people here, and no one genuinely wants to hurt anyone, so it's important to keep that in mind.  Posts that are knowingly intended to be hurtful or belittling of others is, of course, not acceptable. 

 

Anyways, happy Renarin debates!  I myself have always liked the character, and shipped him and Shallan over Shallan and Adolin (and ANYONE over Shallan and Kaladin).  However, I also missed the cues that hinted that he might have mild autism, so I'm interested to reread the book at some point with that in mind. 

[Andvari]

My favorite thing about Renarin is that he's the most relatable of the characters, in terms of his similarity to a normal person.  The main characters in books always get to spend the whole time plotting and fighting with other extraordinary, good-looking, intelligent people, and it's depressing to think that if any of us were to be inserted into the story, we would probably be completely ignored and sidelined.  It's cool to have Renarin there, a relatively ordinary person who isn't quite so perfect, talented, and likeable, because we get to see how everyone interacts with him (i.e. Shallan is rude to him, Kaladin is generous, many people just disregard him).

 

I view Renarin's acts of bravery as more of an attempt to seize control of his life, though they are also brave.  But sometimes he ends up just giving his brother and/or father another thing to worry about.  Also, he did help Adolin out in that duel by running out unarmored and probably saved them.

 

Basically, I like Renarin because he hasn't had this charmed life where everyone loves him.  He has had his own unique form of suffering, but you rarely, if ever, hear him complain.  I feel like he (at least before the end of WoR) represented what an ordinary, klutzy nerd with limitations (aka myself) can do to be brave.

[Caladcholg he/him]

I think the problem most people have with Ren is that they view him from the Hero perspective of Fantasy.  Much like Ren views himself as a member of a warrior based society, where strength and prowess are foremost traits.  With his physical/health limitations, he suffers from a severe lack of confidence.  Its not that he lacks value, he has lacked the opportunity to express it.

 

With the speculated abilities of truthseeing(foresight) and a scholarly aspect, he presents the ability to be a Taravangian without the evil machiavellian slant.  He'll potentially have the ability to guide and advise his father, the bondsmith.  With the possible knowledge of whats going to (potentially)happen, his guidance would be invaluable.  Not all KR are going to assets exclusive to a battlefield.  After all, the Way of Kings, that his father puts so much stock on, was set as guide for ideals for the KR.  This guide is leading Dalinar away from such a warring society, where men, like Ren, are going to have more value.

[Cold Fusion he/him]

I heard my name, and I came immediately. 

Concerning Renarin:

Renarin has some great moments.  He is good at solving problems, is a great scholar, And is willing to risk his life for others.(WOR).  However, he does get annoying at the words of Radiance.  Like so many have said before, he can go from figuring out problems and being a great character to moaning huddled in a corner in two seconds.

I don't really care for him now, but he definitely has potential to grow into a great character.

[AerionBFII he/him]

Personally i like him and think he has many good attributes.

He's an underdog, he's got a handycap where in roshar strength is all. He was never taught to fight but wants to learn. Despite his brother being popular with the ladies, a famous duelist, the favored son and able commander he's always there for him (even Dalinar was a little jelly of Gav)

 

I think he's not much right now but after becoming apart of bridge 4 he will come out of his shell, gain confidence. Even Zahel said he was a good student and i assume he knows what he's talking about

 

I think he's got potential!

[FeatherWriter she/her]

I think the problem most people have with Ren is that they view him from the Hero perspective of Fantasy.  Much like Ren views himself as a member of a warrior based society, where strength and prowess are foremost traits.  With his physical/health limitations, he suffers from a severe lack of confidence.  Its not that he lacks value, he has lacked the opportunity to express it.

 

*starts singing the 'aaaaaamen' parts of Take Me to Church*

 

I have forever said that Renarin's whole schtick is that he's a very valuable character who cannot see his own value. He has so many wonderful qualities, but because he (as a product of his Alethi society) is so focused on the things he doesn't have, he feels useless. 

 

And he breaks my heart over and over again, dangit.

[Bort he/him]

FWIW I'm really looking forward to a Szeth book.   He's a crazy character with a very interesting backstory that I want to learn more about.

 

Yup, me too.

 

I want to know how he discovered the Radiants were returning. That is, after all, why he was made Truthless.

[kari-no-sugata]

The Stormlight Archive certainly isn't for readers wanting to be spoon-fed familiar comfortable tropes.

 

Shallan: I bet Odium shat himself when he heard a teenage artist/scholar is planning to thwart him! Pen beats sword, right? My first romantic interest tried to kill me.

 

Kaladin: I thought this was "epic fantasy", who signed me up for "heroic fantasy" with a side job in nursing? I seem to be lacking in romantic interests too.

 

Dalinar: I'm a 50-something warlord going through a mid-life crisis and have just been tapped by God to save the world. I even have a proper romantic interest, so there.

 

Adolin: I'm Prince Charming from the 1980s but nobody seems to notice. I overdosed on romantic interests.

 

Renarin: I'm wearing a polo-neck and reading classic French books on identity but I always wanted to be... a lumberjack! Er, soldier I mean. Did someone mention romantic interests?

 

Rather more seriously...

 

Now that we got Renarin's "big reveal" (or "big confirmation" for those who were paying attention) at the end of WoR, I'll be quite disappointed if we don't get (at least) several chapters from his POV in book 3. It's rather overdue.

[Zea mays]

I wonder if for some reason Renarin is incapable of hurting anyone. His attacks have happened when he tried to rush oit into battle. Maybe he's "allergic" to the thrill? Maybe the function of truthwatchers is to be medics, and one of their oaths is "Do no harm"? If each of the Silver Kingdoms was associated with an order, that the precursor of Shin was probably associated with the Truthwatchers. It seems to fit.

I would also love some Ren POV chapters in book 3.