Well, I can generally agree that every author's personality can reflect onto their novels strategic essence. To that, every author will have a critic that recognizes that flaw, even if they may have interest in the story.

I've read xanth since the age of 11 by my brothers book of "heaven cent". That particular book at that time gave me a spark of interest into the whole string of books. Of which, I still read and collect up to today at the age of 21.

I've moved my interest into other authors though since I've grown to find xanth novels to be rather simple and repetitive. Plus, piers changed his subject style into futuristic fundamentals. I loved his earlier books, particularly the first 11 or so. I can only guess that the fantasy I read of his as a child will play in my mind as it always had. From that I can continue on in imagination and other fantasy by personal creativity. At this time though, I find that a line will be drawn in which I will fade from continued intense interest in the current novels he has. As well as everyone else should find that line and move on. Of course I support Piers anthony still and may continue on in my interest with xanth, depending. As of yet my interest lies relative to his earlier fantasies.

I can agree that he will model women to be weak and beautiful while men are strong and honorable, that reflects on the attitude of the past. You'll find in his present novels that he brings xanth to the future. As an adult I'm finding it hard to read his books, off the fact that they are so radically simplistic. Funny that as a kid I read his books which were more on a novel basis rather then just continued bull from an undesignated past. Having intelligence I really cannot read through an entire book from the present from cover to cover without just wanting to stop reading. Primarily 'cause the books started losing the touch after man from mundania or so.

But I will say this, his books have had a significant good effect on me as a kid and continually give me the motivation to remain creative. Simply because as a kid reading xanth, it gave me something like a college student reading philosophy.

danny "Everyone has that point in their life in which xanth is good" wyatt