Book recommendation for a character obsessed.

[JenJen]

Hi there!

I have grown up reading some fantasy books, all translated into Swedish back in the day, so I can't actually remember the names, but they were pretty generic (Good VS Evil. Fight. Fight some more. Fight again.). Entertained me as a youngster though

Now, being a tiny bit older, I want to pick up a fantasy book again, but I find myself scared of the choice.

And I have to admit that I've become very fussy. Which isn't good. Partly due to a University course in narrative illustration which made me obsess over interesting characters, character development, believability, and -unique, complicated people-. And partly because of my own graphic novel projects now that is making me read scripts and design characters etc (appreciating just how hard it is to make something believable).

So! What I'm wondering is:

Can you recommend a book which focuses very much on the people, not on the story? A book that has very complicated and interesting individuals who grow and develop as the time goes on? A story that isn't focused on big epic Good and Evil issues, but much more on the closer to home (that one can relate with). Do you know of a book which has an absolutely fascinating main character?

Hope that made sense.


((Edit: Forgot to mention I'm reading Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials now. My man forced me, and I'm really enjoying it. ))

 

[fruit]

tell me some books you really enjoyed

 

[Vertigo]

Well I have to say I have become very disappointed with much of the fantasy stuff I have read of late - all very formulaic, shallow characters etc. So I can sympathise with you JenJen; I start getting very nervous of trying something new.

I have had a number of very strong recommendations since I joined chrons but who I have not yet read myself so can't comment on. I'm sure you will get many of those from others on this thread.

One author I have read recently that I did find more satisfying is Russell Kirkpatrick. There isn't much mention of him on chrons but there are a couple of fans. They are still dealing with big good and evil and save the world type issues but what really struck me was the characters and how they developed throughout the story. More than any other fantasy books I have read recently RM managed to have his characters change and develop subtly and believably in response to events. He also isn't scared of tackling some difficult characters - one of the main characters in the book is surely autistic (though he dosen't use that word) and yet is a well developed person you can sympathise strongly with.

He has two series; one following on from the other. The first is Fire of Heaven and the second Broken Man. I have actually only read the second (didn't realise there were two related series when I first came across them in the library). However I did not find that a problem when reading them (there are only a couple of common characters) and I believe they are considered somewhat better than the first series.

 

[Mouse]

HDM, good choice! If you're enjoying Phillip Pullman, check out his Sally Lockhart books too. Not fantasy, really, but brilliant characters and just generally pretty good.

Also, check out Robin Hobb's Assassin books for great characters, I know people here will tell you how good Fitz and the Fool are.

(I'd write more but I'm sneaking online at work! Shh!)

 

[JenJen]

tell me some books you really enjoyed

Gotta write quickly since I don't want to miss my bus. I will reply properly later!

Here's the problem. I haven't touched proper fantasy books or other novels in AGES. Also moving to the UK, I was daunted by the English books, so I never really picked any up. Went in to waterstones and never knew where to start.

I've read some Terry pratchett, and I've loved every moment of it, but I am not looking for books with humour right now

Also read Neil Gaiman. Neverwhere I think it's called?

Love his characters. (only know of Neil Gaiman thanks to graphic novels)

Gotta run!
be back later!

 

[Pedro Del Mar]

Try Joe Abercrombie - he's really good and definitely focus's on the characters. Agree with previous post that Robin Hobb would be a good choice too

 

[GOLLUM]

I can recommend many fantasy writers but here are some of the best for me who are far from formulaic, cliched or mainstream in nature and can focus on character......

Kelly link
Ted chiang
Neil gaiman
Philip pullman
Michael swanwick
China mieville
M. john harrison
Gene wolfe
Stephen donaldson
Ricardo pinto
Mervyn peake

 

[nebsmith]

You could try:

The "Deed of Paksenarrion" trilogy by Elizabeth Moon
The "Sharing Knife" series by Lois McMaster Bujold
The "Twilight Realm" series by Tom Lloyd
The "Malazan" series by Steven Erikson
"Graceling" by Kristen Cashore
"The Name of the Wind" by Patrick Rothfuss

 

[HareBrain]

And I have to admit that I've become very fussy. Which isn't good. Partly due to a University course in narrative illustration which made me obsess over interesting characters, character development, believability, and -unique, complicated people-.

[...]

Can you recommend a book which focuses very much on the people, not on the story? A book that has very complicated and interesting individuals who grow and develop as the time goes on? A story that isn't focused on big epic Good and Evil issues, but much more on the closer to home (that one can relate with). Do you know of a book which has an absolutely fascinating main character?

I'm surprised no one has yet mention George Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire series. Apart from the fact that it has several fascinating main characters, not one, and focuses on story as well as people, it sounds like it might be exactly what you're looking for.

 

[Anne Lyle]

I'm surprised no one has yet mention George Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire series. Apart from the fact that it has several fascinating main characters, not one, and focuses on story as well as people, it sounds like it might be exactly what you're looking for.

Yes! And The Curse of Chalion by Lois McMaster Bujold - historical fantasy with a strong character focus.

If you don't mind a total lack of magic, Swordspoint by Ellen Kushner is a classic. Or for cool faerie magic, Jonathon Strange & Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke, which is about as far from Tolkienesque epic fantasy as you could wish.

So many books, so little time...

 

[JenJen]

Oh wow So many recommendations! thanks! Will finish HDM when I get back to the UK and then pick up a new adventure. Will check back here to see which one it will be

My man has plenty of books, so he may already have bought some of the ones recommended. Will check!

 

[williamjm]

Can you recommend a book which focuses very much on the people, not on the story? A book that has very complicated and interesting individuals who grow and develop as the time goes on? A story that isn't focused on big epic Good and Evil issues, but much more on the closer to home (that one can relate with). Do you know of a book which has an absolutely fascinating main character?

You might be interested in Daniel Abraham's recently complete "Long Price" series. It's more character-focused than many Epic Fantasy novels, and over the four books of the series the character development of the main characters over several decades is crucial to the resolution of the story - what the characters end up doing in book 4 is heavily influenced by the moral choices they made in the first book of the series.

Guy Gavriel Kay's various standalone Fantasy novels also have some very good characterisation, Tigana, The Lions of Al-Rassan, A Song For Arbonne and this year's Under Heaven are particularly good.

I'd also second the recommendation of Martin's "A Song of Ice and Fire", and Bujold's Chalion books.

The "Malazan" series by Steven Erikson

I like the series, but I'm not sure it really fits this particular recommendation, with some exceptions I would say characterisation isn't Erikson's strong point, and I'd say it is more focused on plot than character development.

 

[clovis-man]

For character driven fantasy I would recommend Sean Russell. Since he tends to write stories in large chunks, I might suggest World Without End and Sea Without A Shore as a good pair to start with.

Don't take my word for it. Read some of the reviews here:

Sean Russell (author of The One Kingdom)

 

[Clansman]

For character driven fantasy I would recommend Sean Russell. Since he tends to write stories in large chunks, I might suggest World Without End and Sea Without A Shore as a good pair to start with.

Don't take my word for it. Read some of the reviews here:

Sean Russell (author of The One Kingdom)

A very good choice. I would also recommend, since other great big sprawling epic series have been mentioned (A Song of Ice and Fire), Janny Wurts' The Wars of Light and Shadow, which is deeply character-driven, and which could be a treatise on character development (the supporting characters of Dakar, Elaira, Lirenda, Fionn Areth and Sulfin Evend come particularly to mind, not to mention the main characters).

You could also look at Wurts' collaboration with Raymond Feist, namely the Empire series, which to me was the best of the Feist Riftwar stuff.

Kay, Wurts, Russell, Martin, all very good choices, but very different authors.

I also agree that Malazan would not be the best place to start, though Erikson's characterization is solid. It just isn't as good as these others.

 

[murphy]

For something new, try Suzanne Collins The Hunger Games trilogy. I notice they are on Amazon UK, so they should be available.

 

[Mouse]

Sean Russell me no likey. I think I read the first book of one of his trilogies but didn't like the way he wrote.

You should check out Garth Nix's Abhorsen books too. They're young adult fantasy, granted, but the characters are brilliant. Love the Disreputable Dog.

Forgot to add that I'm seconding Neil Gaiman and George RR Martin.

 

[JenJen]

Christ on a bike. Plenty of choice here! Can't wait to get back to Brit-land so I can hunt around a bit for books.