Witch World - Andre Norton - Any fans/experts?

[Blue Tyson]

I have read the first one, and it starts off in your standard Edgar Rice Burroughs manner (guy really, really good at the fighting thing ends up on strange new world), but of course the tone and theme is different once he arrives, in some ways, going for the romance fantasy sort of angle.

How long is this main character around for, given that there are tons of these books? They seem to be broken up into geographical series, or something like that?

Thanks,

bt

 

[j d worthington]

This should answer several of your questions:

Witch World - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Simon Tregarth isn't around that long (nor Jaelithe), no, though they play a very important part in the history of the Witch World.

I've not read these in far too long (and never got around to the later ones, I'm afraid), so my memory is rather cloudy. The thing about Andre Norton -- and especially these -- is the old-fashioned story-teller's approach, with often a very light touch on some things. But the tone varies. For example, "The Toads of Grimmerdale" has a much different tone and feel to it than Witch World does, and with good reason. So the stories are by no means all alike.

While the quality is somewhat variable, I recommend them as good adventure tales with some wonderful aspects, often quite subtly handled....

 

[bruno-1012]

I realised a couple of days ago that I hadn't read any of these in about 10/15 years.

So they have gone into my to be read pile which now stands at around 40....

 

[Connavar]

This is the only thread i found about Andre Norton.

I wondered which of her many series or novels are YA SF or juvenile SF ?

I think i want to start with a sample before reading Witch World.

 

[Teresa Edgerton]

I think all of her books would be classed as YA -- with crossover appeal for adults -- Connavar.

I've read all of the early Witch World books several times. In my opinion the quality starts to go down after The Crystal Gryphon (which is also my favorite, probably because of the romance) -- as though she burned out on the setting but kept on writing in that world to please her fans.

Of her short fiction written in that setting, I think The Toads of Grimmerdale is the best, but the sequel -- I forget the title, although I read it again quite recently -- is also very good.

 

[Connavar]

Oh my mistake, her fantasticfiction listing of series,novels was so huge that i didnt know what was what except Witch world.

Im thinking one of these books let me know what you think if you have read them

Androids At Arms (Gods and androids)
Moon of three Rings (Moonsinger)
Storm of Warlock (Forerunner)

Those are books of her that sounds interesting that i can get from bookmooch.

 

[Teresa Edgerton]

Moon of Three Rings -- that was the first Norton that I ever read. I think I was fifteen or sixteen at the time. Still one of my favorites.

I don't remember Storm Over Warlock, although (looking it up online and recognizing the name of the main character) I'm sure I read it. As for Android at Arms, I have a vague recollection of reading that and liking it, but it was so long ago I don't remember anything about the plot or the characters.

She wrote so many books, and I devoured so many of them as a young woman, that some of them tend to blur together in my mind.

(In the early seventies, I went through bouts of nightmares and insomnia. Sometimes I'd wake up in the middle of the night and be desperate for something new to read to get me through the dark hours until morning. There was an all-night newstand a few miles away, with a large selection of paperback books and a lot of Norton. So my husband and I would go out and buy a few that I hadn't read before. I don't know what I would have done during that period of my life if it hadn't been for Andre Norton's books.

However, that does mean that I read dozens of them in a short period of time, and that doesn't make for the clearest memories.)

 

[Ian Whates]

I'll second Teresa's recommendation for Moon of Three Rings. Andre Norton and John Wyndham between them were responsible for my getting hooked on SF and fantasy. I read a huge amount of Norton around the ages of 11 to 16, and this was one of them.

Of the SF-nal books, this, the two Janus books and the two Beast Master books stand out in my mind as being particular favourites.

From what I recall, Moon of Three Rings was a great blend of space ships, animals, action, intrigue and romance. I also enjoyed the sequel, Exiles of the Stars, without thinking it was quite as good.

 

[Connavar]

Interesting you should say that about Janus and Beast Master books. I was most drawn to them instinctivly.

I couldnt find Beast master in bookmooch but there is the first Janus book there.

 

[Happy Joe]

The first two Beastmaster books were re-released as Beastmaster's Planet and a relatively good 3rd book (collaboration) was published as Beastmaster's ark a couple of years ago.
Beastmaster's circus (a fourth book, also a collaboration) was poor.

I looked for the first Witch World book but it has evaporated from my library (must have fallen through a gateway sometime in the last 20 years or so).
Otherwise I think I have most of her (Norton's) scifi/fantasy work except the catfantastic stories. I would say it is YA.

Enjoy!

 

[Al Jackson]

I know why Norton took up writing fantasy but her science fiction was better.
I didn't like a one of her fantasy novels.