Starting with a writer's best book: bad idea?

[The Ace]

If I'd read, 'Monstrous Regiment,' first, I'd never've picked up another Pratchett. Mr Tulip summed it up;

"If [Pratchett wrote] that it was with his -ing foot."

 

[gully_foyle]

My method is to sample the best works and move on. For example, I've recently read Lord of Light by Roger Zelazny and it was a great book, but I'm not in any hurry to read any more of his works, except maybe Damnation Alley. I prefer to read lots of different stuff.

Of course some authors really strike a chord with me, like Iain M Banks, and I want to read all of their stuff. But mostly I like to read the best of each. There are so many good books to read that I don't really have the time to pursue an author's back catalog.

 

[Connavar]

That seems like you are making other people decide what you read.

Often a writers best work is not his best according to your own taste.

I only read few authors most books. The ones that have great books and ability.

Others that i might not go through their catalog i choose a book that sounds best to me not the his most famous and award winning one.

 

[ChaoZ]

If i'm coming directly to a new author I like to start with their first novel (unless that was 10's of years and dozens of books ago) - rather than a "best" / award winning / most popular one.

After all it must have been good enough to get another book published and while it probably contains some rough edges it also reveals, i think, a lot about their future promise. The first novel probably having - in practice - a 5-10 year gestation without deadline pressure or other factors.

A chronological approach also allows you to follow the author's growing skills and confidence as a writer.

I take a hybrid approach by taking an author's best known work first, then going back and try to read their stuff chronologically, but only if I really liked what I've read.

That said, I tend to read from a wide spectrum of authors nowadays, very rarely exploring an author's complete repertoire.

 

[Hypnos164]

My method is to sample the best works and move on. For example, I've recently read Lord of Light by Roger Zelazny and it was a great book, but I'm not in any hurry to read any more of his works, except maybe Damnation Alley. I prefer to read lots of different stuff.
...

Zelazny is one of my all time favourtites (Lord of Light always makes it into my top 5 list ... if i remember; its a discussion that we usually only get into over a lot of drink)

Really, really don't skip This Immortal and the Isle of the Dead / To Die in Italbar pair

 

[manephelien]

If I'm starting a series, I usually like to start at the beginning, even though I know that the first book may not be the best the author wrote. I never intentionally start a series in the middle, although I do tend to prefer reading books in publication order rather than chronological order (McCaffrey's Pern and Asimov's Foundation, say), because I like seeing how an author's writing evolves, or in some cases devolves (AMC again).

However, sometimes the first exposure of an author's works is what really sets the tone, and that ironically happened with Pern, because the first book I read in the series was Moreta and I still consider it the best. Wasn't by choice, I got it as a present.

 

[gully_foyle]

That seems like you are making other people decide what you read.

That's exactly what I'm saying Conn. I read Altered Carbon on your say so. It was a good book, but I'm unlikely to read the follow ups in the near future, there are too many other books to read.

I'm a sampler, what can I say?

 

[Connavar]

That's exactly what I'm saying Conn. I read Altered Carbon on your say so. It was a good book, but I'm unlikely to read the follow ups in the near future, there are too many other books to read.

I'm a sampler, what can I say?

I didnt mean like that. I read many books on chron members taste i know and trust. I wouldnt let a publisher,the media decide what book is the best of an author. What book that is seen as the best.


You talked about Lord of Light. My first book of him Damnation Alley cause it sounded good to me.

Im also a sampler even though i read more books of authors i enjoy. There is nothing sweeter than going through the back catalog of a favorite author when you have spent months on trying new authors.

 

[AE35Unit]

Well the first Simak book i read was the poor The Visitors, not very good at all and it did put me off reading more from him. I do have Way Station on my shelf but i'm a bit apprehensive now. Previously i had read Cemetary World which,tho better than The Visitors is hardly exciting. So yea if you read a bad book by an author as your first it does put you off somewhat,or rather make you wary.

 

[Pyan]

Way Station is excellent, IIRC, AE. Go on, read it - I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.

 

[AE35Unit]

Way Station is excellent, IIRC, AE. Go on, read it - I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.

Thanks Py,i think i'll make it the next read once i've finished Brain Wave. Any other Simak recommendations?