Mason's Rats

[Moonbat]

Hi,

I recently bought a book of short sci-fi stories and it included two by Mr Asher, both were called Mason's rats, one about a black rat and the other about an autotractor.

I found both very amusing and well written, I have decided I would like to read more.

Has anyone else read Mason's rats? Is it a series of short tales, or a idea he has padded out in full? Anyone know anything about Mason's Rats?

Also, I'm thinking of buying some Asher to read, any recommendations?

Moonbat

 

[Neal Asher]

There's only one other Mason's Rats story, which appeared in Asimov's then in 'Year's Best SF 11' published by Hartwell & Cramer. My other stuff (of which there are 12 13? books out there) is space opera ... though in one case time opera.

 

[Moonbat]

No Way!

The 'real' Neal Asher? Wait till I tell my old man! Ha

I feel bad now, my original post looks rude, as if I am demanding you write some more rat tales. How silly.

I suppose you would be well placed (if a little biased) to suggest which Asher title I might read first, tell ya what. Which is your worst?

Maybe I'll should hunt down YBSF 11, what is the title of this elusive third Mason's rats story? (or is it the first?)

So very delighted to have made your acquaintance

Moonbat

 

[Neal Asher]

Hi moonbat,

It you check out 'My Books' here you can see for yourself (more information regularly here). The top two rows are series, so for them the best to start with are Gridlinked or The Skinner. The stand alones, stand alone, obviously. If you fancy a time travel story then try Cowl, something shorter, then Prador Moon.

Which is my worst book? Now there's a question. I like them all in different ways and if you pose the question to other readers you'll get numerous different answers. All that aside, I guess my worst, because it is the first major book I had published and I was just entering a learning process I'm still in over a million words later, would be Gridlinked.

Regarding Mason's Rats - you're not the first to want something full length about them and, maybe, one day I'll do that book.

cheers

 

[iamandyogden]

It's an old thread but having just read Gridlinked as my first venture into your books, I think it was great! I read it in 3 days whilst on holiday and couldn't put it down. I've just ordered Year's Best SF 11 just so that I can get my hands on Mason's Rats. I prefer my reading to be complete

I rounded off the holiday by finishing The Gabble as my local bookstore didn't have anymore of the Cormac series, but I've since ordered the entire series off Amazon and I'm now happily thumbing my way through Line of Polity.

Thanks for many hours of happy reading Neal !

Andy

 

[Vertigo]

If you are just getting into Neal Asher, iamandyogden, you might find this thread useful. Neal Asher has posted a timeline for all the Polity, Cormac and Spatterjay novels:

http://www.sffchronicles.co.uk/forum/525773-wheres-the-best-place-to-start.html

And welcome to the Chrons by the way, hope you'll stick around!

 

[Neal Asher]

Andy, thanks, I'm glad I got you hooked! More to come.

Thanks for posting that link, Vertigo -- I was trying to find that.