He had never heard of the books, but thought the game compelling. The enthusiasm he saw in book forums convinced him to read a bit. Fans have developed role-playing personalities based on characters in the series, and virtual communities have sprung up, matured, died off and been reborn in cyberspace. All this leaves Jordan astonished and somewhat bemused. It's quite daunting.
Many fans say they enjoy the sense of community they find in online forums devoted to the series.
And while they trade theories about what may happen to whom, or make suggestions of which actors and actresses they'd like to see in a movie, such forums are hardly restricted to book talk. They're often places to flirt and try on new personalities. Ultimately, they're places to connect. Perrin Aybara Garrett met his girlfriend through fandom, and others have made lasting ties, meeting at events across the globe. Still others have crossed the line from enjoyment to obsession.