Looking for a new book to read
POSTED BY: amygdala
UPDATED: Wednesday, November 30, 2005 04:52
VIEWED: 27073
PAGE 7 of 8
Just an update on how the reading goes:
* Just caught up with the latest book in the Song of Ice and Fire trilogy (see multiple mentions above): 'A Feast for Crows'. In Martin's own words "This one was a bitch". Well, it's no picnic for readers either. Don't get me wrong - I love this guy, I adore the series. What aSoIaF might lack in the deep and meaningful, it makes up for in an intricate, enthralling plot of betrayal and counter-betrayal, some kick-ass characters, a nice sense of history and some nifty foreshadowing in place from the very first page.
But the series does seem to be slipping out of control. What I believe was originally meant to be four volumes is now likely to become seven (this latest was number four). We've waited almost five years between this book and its predescessor for (wait for it): just half the planned novel. AFfC was to be part of the next book "A Dance With Dragons" until the length became unmanageable. The choice was made to split aDwD into two separate novels, with each book only following characters in certain geographical areas, presumably over the same time period. For good reasons, I'm sure.
So what was wrong? Mostly, it just didn't feel like a whole book. Sure, it's not really meant to be, but that means it lacked that nice sense of semi-completion the others gave as they ended, allowing the wait for the next book to be that much more bearable. Causes probably included the the omitted characters (arguably some of the most interesting), as well as the paucity of significant events that resulted from only a few stories being told. Another big problem for me was the fact that at the end of the book, several characters were left in fairly dire situations, and I find the thought that these might only be resolved two books later fairly infuriating.
I think my negative reaction is due in part to the previous novel "A Storm of Swords", which was just brilliant. My expectations were high, and you can't get it so right all the time. I do have to say though, that this latest novel also *felt* wrong in places, the writing seemed to lack the subtlety of previous volumes. But I guess there is the possibility that this is an intentional phenomenon - as the story progresses, secrets are revealed.
My worry is, of course, that we have another Jordanesque scenario on our hands - a promising series that which the writing deteriorates as the number of volumes mounts. But I still have faith. Martin's still the guy. It may just take a couple of re-reads before I've made my peace with the novel. It's happened before. And he says the next one should be out next year....
* Speaking of Jordan. New book out now. Read on the cover it's the penultimate volume. What is it - eleven? twelve? Anyway, made the decision to wait 'til the final book is in paperback, then *perhaps* on a rainy day, buy the final two and read them, just to finish the damn thing. No. Screw it, I'll get them from the library. Thinking about the money I've spent to watch a great series become progressively rubbish makes me tetchy.
* Latest Pratchett all good. Yeah, didn't mention him in the first post 'cos strangely I don't file him under sci-fi/fantasy in my head (I have a strange head). I think he's under "too damn funny" or suchlike. What I love best about Pratchett is his ferocity when it comes to injustice. His novels aren't throwaway funnies, they get deeper with each read. Thanks Flamelily for the quotes - made me all giggly.
So folks, what have you been reading?
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"She was naked, and all ... articulate."
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Thanks for some great suggestions! I was hoping someone would dredge up this thread, I knew something like it would be in the archives somewhere.
Amygdala, you named some of my favorite authors (Ursula, Dick, Tepper, Grr Martin, OS Card).
There were three authors I think you might enjoy but didn't see mentioned in the suggestions:
Samuel R Delaney - I especially like his "Stars in my Pocket Like Grains of Sand"
Open it to a random page sometime in the store and see if you like his voice, since you like Ursula. Stars reminds me of her work. Not so much Earthsea (though I love that stuff), but some of her more sociological rantings.
"The Gormenghast Trilogy" by Mervyn S Peake
Fans of Gaiman and Mieville might enjoy this very much. I second those choices!
Nobody mentioned Douglas Adams? I enjoyed Long Dark Teatime of the Soul and Dirk Gently every bit as much as Hitchhiker.
I'd also strongly second Gibson. Everything by Gibson. I read today Peter Weir is working on filming his latest "Pattern Recognition", and I have my fingers crossed.
...and Stevenson, and Banks.
I'll be putting
Shiny Trees! Yavanna made Shiny Trees!
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Quote:
Originally posted by RelFexive:
Altered Carbon, Broken Angels and Woken Furies by Richard Morgan.
Cryptonomican by Neal Stephenson. Also, Quicksilver, The Confusion and The System Of The World by same.
Anything by Iain M Banks.
Anything by Peter F Hamilton.
"My God - you're like a trained ape. Without the training."
If you like Banks then anything by Ken Macleod. Also I just read Iron Sunrise by Charles Stross, which was nominated for the Hugo.
-Caius
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I wanted to add one more to the list,
(I've scanned down, I don't think anyone mentioned):
David Brin's Kiln People
it is a very unusual and really brilliant genre mix of sci-fi and detective mystery
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watch the R. Tam Session vids: http://www.hittarivertam.nu/
and buy the 'Serenity' comics published by Dark Horse,
and have you joined the Browncoats yet?
http://browncoats.serenitymovie.com/serenity/?fuseaction=tools.invlink
&u=embers&linkID=36
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Eager second to Roger Zelazny et al. though with a special fondness for his Amber stuff (arguably also his best-known works, so easy to find). Some of his other work can get pretty "navel-gazing," but the prose makes it worth the walk IMNSDHO. His short stories are especially tight.
Someone mentioned C. J. Cherryh, but without the context of my personal favorites among her work. Definitely try Downbelow Station and, if that style appeals, there's The Pride of Chanur and its four sequels (not directly connected to Downbelow Station to be sure, but similar in style despite the alien viewpoint). Then try the Cyteen stuff to round out her stable of greatness.
My current guilty pleasure is the collection of Black Company books by Glen Cook, of which there are now ten (IIRC). This stuff'll never be "High Literature" but I'm on number nine now and it's still been a good read (as opposed to the dreadful drudgery that the top-heavy Wheel of Time saga became several volumes back).
For quirky fantasy tales, there's the Fionavar Tapestry trilogy by Guy Gavriel Kay (friend and contemporary of Chris Tolkien) and, with a motion picture coming out soon, you might give a dusty old classic a try: The Chronicles of Narnia by C. S. Lewis, of which there are seven slim volumes.
Happy reading!
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"That's what governments are for, [to] get in a man's way." -- Malcolm Reynolds
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Quote:
Originally posted by Spinland:
Eager second to Roger Zelazny Amber stuff
C. J. Cherryh
For quirky fantasy tales, there's the Fionavar Tapestry trilogy by Guy Gavriel Kay
Zelazny's Amber is very fun, and you can practice the alteration technique at home for your own amusement and bendiness.
Cherryh, mmmm. I like her Gates series and Fortress series and Sun series as well as the big cats and other things. One of the remarkable things about her is that she has a map of her universe, and everything she writes relates to the map and its history.
Kay! I totally forgot him and he's wonderful.
Good add's
Shiny Trees! Yavanna made Shiny Trees!
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My 2 bits -
Anything by Tim Powers...period. Especially Anubis Gates. Agreed that Orson Scott Card is a winner. Also Ivory by Mike Resnick. By the way, if you have any kind of inkling to read an apocalyptic tale, I recommend Father Elijah: An Apocalypse by Michael D. O'Brien. Very well written...everything that the Tribulation Force books could have been, had they not been filled with the pedestrian musings of Jenkins and LeHaye. On the outside chance that you haven't read Heinlein's Starship Troopers, it's a must (the movie does NOT count!) Just a thought...
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Another series/author to check out is Anne Bishop's The Realms of the Blood/Black Jewel series.
Daughter of the Blood, Heir to the Shadows, Queen of the Darkness; are the titles of the trilogy. Available as seperate novels and single compilation
The Invisible Ring is a stand alone novel and I suggest reading after the series- it centers around an event mentioned in Queen of the Darkness.
Fairly recently released is Dreams made Flesh 4 short stories that fill in some details and plotholes from the trilogy.
I didn't care as much for her World of Fae trilogy
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Flechette - Destiny's Cook
We got Crab and pig tell :Squid ink and fish scale
Okra and dasheen leaves
Chitchat and chatter :Fill up the platter
With a garnish of pure make believe
- Jimmy Buffett's Calaloo
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I can't believe that somebody has actually mentioned Kushiel's Legacy already! I have never before seen it mentioned in recommendation lists as it deserves to be. It is fantastic as long as you're reading it for the story and not because it's about a Courtesan. Truly, I won my friend over with this series and she was speechless by the time she'd finished reading. Author: Jacqueline Carey. Read it.
The same friend has told me to read Anne Bishop's Daughter of the blood but I haven't been able to get it through the library yet. I will make more of an effort now that I have seen another recommendation.
Also, The Farseer Trilogy and The Tawny Man Trilogyby Robin Hobb. It took me quite a while to get into these books but I persevered and I am SO glad that I did.
Finally, The Bitterbynde Trilogy by Cecilia Dart Thornton if only for the use of folklore and mythology in it. However, if romance isn't your thing this won't do. The descriptive nature of the writing is stunning although sometimes a bit too flowery. Still worth a look.
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OK - so I'm a teenager, so this'll probably be from a teenager's point of view, but personally I loved:
the Abhorsen Trilogy by Garth Nix
His Dark Materials by Phillip Pullman
Eragon and Eldest by Christopher Paolini
The Named, The Dark and The Key(The Guardians of Time Trilogy) by Marianne Curley are also great reads.
Also The Pact and My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult (these one's aren't exactly sci-fi or fantasy in any sense of the word, but are good books nonetheless)
I'd go for any of these!
...and we will call it...this land...
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