C J Cherryh

[Esioul]

I'd just be interested to know what people's opinions are on C J Cherryh. Her Faded Sun series and Fortress series are among some of my favorite sf/fantasy books.

I've just finished reading the first Morgaine book, which I quite liked. The hero was ok, although Cherryh was really mean to him- I kept feeling sorry for him. But the heroine, like so many of the women in Cherryh's books was a total bitch.

Any comments...?

 

[dwndrgn]

I haven't read any of her books. Which would you suggest I start with?

 

[Esioul]

Probably 'Fortress in the eye of time' or the first Faded Sun book, I can't remember the name of it now and I think my copy is double stacked somwhere, as I've been trying to sort out my books a bit. Avoid the Dreaming Tree and Serpant's reach.

 

[Teresa Edgerton]

I can't believe that C.J. Cherryh hasn't more fans in these forums. Her stories are always so intense and suspenseful, I always find them hard to put down.

There was a time when I thought I liked her SF much better than her fantasy (which was strange, because in general I favor fantasy), but that was before I discovered her "Fortress" books and "Goblin Mirror," which are among the best fantasies I've ever read (IMHO, of course).

As for her SF, I can't think of anyone who does alien races and alien societies better than Cherryh.

But perhaps I'm not the only Cherryh admirer to turn up in these forums since this thread began (and ended) last May?

(crossing fingers)

 

[Leto]

Count me in, although I haven't read much of her.

 

[erickad71]

I've read Foriegner and Invader. I really enjoyed them, but that was a while back. She is on my list of authors to read.

 

[Teresa Edgerton]

Good to know I'm not alone here. I think some of her early SF is among her best: the Faded Sun books, "Hunter of Worlds," the Morgaine books, "Pride of Chanur," though I really liked "Hammerfell," which is her latest, too.

Esioul says to stay away from "Serpent's Reach," but even though the motives of her human characters are a little obscure in that one, I really loved the aliens. Also, there are some scary ideas regarding cloning (for instance, the ownership and the genetic and psychological manipulation of lab created men) in this and a couple of her other books ("Cyteen" and "Port Eternity") that might be more relevant going into the 21st century than when these novels were first written.

Although, I suppose it might be argued that books like these are one of the reasons that most people are so terrified of the whole concept of cloning human beings.

 

[MilesVorkosigan]

Big fan of "The Cherryh" with many respect.

I think one of the reason's she's so unappreciated is that she doesn't describe major battles or intrigues, what she does is she PUTS you in the MAJOR thoughts and feelings of a character ... and goes totally honest on how a person would feel ... its hard to handle "naked" doubt, fear and cowardness in the "hero" of the book... they are suppose to get over being falliable, fearful, weak, petty, cruel, deceitful (Human) arent they ?