February's Fortuitous Following Of Fabulous Fiction

[biodroid]

A Game of Thrones - by you all know who. And so far I am enjoying it, only 100 pages in but it is setting up everything nicely.

 

[Connavar]

The PKD novel was addictive and fun read that i finished the last 100 pages very quickly.

I had to read something else the rest of the 11 hour night shift in my part time work and i chose to take with me The Windup Girl by Paolo Bacigalupi.

The way he writes about the Asian culture,his themes,world building reminds me of River Gods by Ian MacDonald. When i saw a new SF book from 2009 in the library i was surprised and had to get it. I didn't pick this novel because a month or so ago everyone in this thread was reading it or the fact he gets critical acclaim.

A newish SF novel in local library is just a rare free book for me

 

[purple_kathryn]

Just started reading Turn the Page which is a Star Trek: SCE ebook thingie

 

[woodsman]

Just finished Glen Cook's Darkwar Trilogy. Absolutely loved it. Cook is still putting out bleak and 'gritty' fantasy with the best of them. He also tackles (after a manner of speaking) a number of issues ranging from global environmental change through political inaction and the working and potential dangers of global corporations.

I'm always a little confused that Cook isn't more widely read, I only heard of him after reading the Erikson forums on here.

 

[GOLLUM]

I'm always a little confused that Cook isn't more widely read, I only heard of him after reading the Erikson forums on here.

Perhaps because he was one of the key pioneers in the field of military fantasy when it was less fashionable and certainly a lot less widespread in terms of books than it is today? Just a suggestion, I don't have proof of this. I have most of Cook's work though and agree he's under-read.

 

[Talysia]

I'm taking a break from my Discworld reread (although I'll be returning to it shortly) to read Kate Elliott's Spirit Gate.

 

[J-Sun]

I'm halfway through A talent for war by Jack McDevitt.
Mister McDevitt is rapidly becoming one of my favorite sci-fi writers. His mysteries are pretty darn good and his writing is really enjoyable. His are the sort of books that I enjoy reading just to unwind and spend a nice evening with.
So far Seeker has been the better novel in the Alex Benedict series, but I do believe that's because the narrator was the sassy Chase and not the indecisive Alex.

It took me forever to get around to reading McDevitt and I nearly messed it up as the first I read was The Engines of God which I really disliked. For whatever reason, I gave him another chance and it was A Talent for War, which I liked quite a bit. I'll have to see how it goes from there.

I finished my clutch of four SF Masterworks novels, three of which I had planned and one was a last minute replacement. Overall, not a great bunch. "Pavane" by Keith Roberts and "Eon" by Greg Bear where not as good as I had hoped they would be and "Dr Bloodmoney" was my weakest Philip K. Dick yet. "Forever War" by Joe Haldeman was outstanding however so that was something at least.

We pretty well correspond there: they are all reputed classics and I'm a big fan of some PKD and some Bear but was underwhelmed with those particular two and think the Haldeman is fantastic. (I've never read the Roberts but wouldn't expect to like it.)

---

While not consciously going for any "masterworks", I've had a great run of SF lately. So far in February I've finished:

* Robert L. Forward - Dragon's Egg
* Arthur C. Clarke - The Deep Range
* Algis Budrys - Some Will Not Die

Also, not too long ago, I read Leiber's novella "Destiny Times Three" and one of the several versions of You're All Alone, both of which were superb, as well. Leiber's really an extraordinary writer. Both end rather abruptly, especially "Destiny Times Three" which has a pretty pulpy (in the bad sense) deus ex ending, but they're great for the bulk of the ride.

If you liked Clement's Mission of Gravity, you have to read the Forward. If you like extreme physics and alien aliens (life on a neutron star) then you have to read it. If you like... oh, just read it! Oddly, his second novel (The Flight of the Dragonfly aka Rocheworld) while also excellent, has "first novel"-like flaws while this one, his actual first novel, doesn't.

I'm not an A1-Super Clarke fan, but I am a fan. Even so, I was surprised at how good The Deep Range was. A future near-utopia where subs in the seas are spaceships in space and whales and stranger critters are the aliens. (Not exactly, as there aren't many stories about domesticating aliens for food production, but still. ) What other sea SF novels are there? I know Herbert has Under Pressure, regarding a sub, but I don't know how generally oceanic it is. And there are several "alien seas" stories, but I'm wondering about terrestrial oceans (so to speak).

Some Will Not Die is a first novel that's been revised (anyone know how much?) whose Dell cover makes it look like a B-movie of urban violence or something but, it being Budrys, I expected a thoughtful, philosophical novel (though not without action and adventure) and got exactly that. A study of massive depopulation on man and society.

I'm currently reading Banks' Consider Phlebas which, despite a malodorous scene fairly early on, was doing great but is rapidly losing me. Hopefully it'll start killing off characters more slowly and be less nauseating soon. And fix a few other problems, as well.

Still, overall, a great month of SF.

 

[bluespider100]

Just finished reading "In the Ocean of Night" by Gregory Benford, will have to proceed with the rest of the Galactic Center Series as soon as I pick them up, (which I hope will be soon)... Can't wait to continue reading up on what will happen between Mechanics vs Naturals..


Now on to "Red Mars" by Kim Stanley Robinson.

If you liked Clement's Mission of Gravity, you have to read the Forward. If you like extreme physics and alien aliens (life on a neutron star) then you have to read it. If you like... oh, just read it!

I enjoyed reading Mission of Gravity, now what book did you recommend, Forward? by whom?

 

[Perpetual Man]

Now on to "Red Mars" by Kim Stanley Robinson.

Some people have said this is hard going, but I absolutely loved it, brilliant book


I'm about to start Fool's fate by Robin Hobb

 

[bluespider100]

Some people have said this is hard going, but I absolutely loved it, brilliant book


I'm about to start Fool's fate by Robin Hobb

This is my actual first time reading a book written by KSR, (as far as I can remember), and I bought the 2 following sequels, (green mars and blue mars) which my friend actually recommended, hope I would like the series, and the first book won't fail me.

 

[Perpetual Man]

I found the second one superb too, but a lot slower, I've still got start the third one (not because I don't want to but because of the haphazard way I choose my reading!)

 

[J-Sun]

I enjoyed reading Mission of Gravity, now what book did you recommend, Forward? by whom?

Forward's the author Robert L. Forward's Dragon's Egg.

 

[Fried Egg]

Finished "THe Lottery and Other Stories" by Shirley Jackson and on to "Anubis Gates" by Tim Powers (my first from this author).

 

[bluespider100]

I found the second one superb too, but a lot slower, I've still got start the third one (not because I don't want to but because of the haphazard way I choose my reading!)

ok, hard for me to pick up speed at the start, but i will continue reading this as the concept is great, but if it will remain like this when I'm halfway through, maybe I'll just drop this one.

Forward's the author Robert L. Forward's Dragon's Egg.

I see, thanks..

 

[Perpetual Man]

ok, hard for me to pick up speed at the start, but i will continue reading this as the concept is great, but if it will remain like this when I'm halfway through, maybe I'll just drop this one.

Don't get me wrong, Red Mars is probably one of the best Science Fiction books I have read. Ever. Green Mars is still well written and an excellent story 'realistically' looking at the development of Mars, it's just slower with a lot more detail going into the terraforming process.

 

[nj1]

Finished, enjoyed and got a bit confused by Steven Erikson's First Collected Tales of Bauchelain and Korbal Broach.
Loved the humour, the darkness etc but the ending of each book didn't really explain much, perhaps it was that there were hints of things to come but those hints were disregarded or totally missing from the next book.

Now reading Abercrombie's THE HEROES, still early days but it looks like another hit for Mr A.

 

[Lord Soth]

Wandered through the first handful of chapters in Erikson's latest. As usual I have no idea what's really going on this early, he brings in so many characters from past books (and new ones) as a prelude to tying everything up that its hard to follow at this stage.

I've not hit the more 'normal' chapters and thing are looking great as always, i simply must put aside a month or so to read the whole series in one go.

Now reading Abercrombie's THE HEROES, still early days but it looks like another hit for Mr A.

Personally I didn't like The Heroes as much as his other books, i hope he goes back to the previous book styles next time rather than detailing a single battle.

 

[Diggler]

Finished "Darkly Dreaming Dexter" the other day. While the first season of Dexter was very similar to the book, the season was better. The book really just covered Dexter, and his motivations. While pretty much ignoring every other character.

I'm now onto 'the Slaves of Heaven" by Edmund Cooper. I Haven't read enough to pass any form of judgement though.

 

[blacknorth]

Currently absolutely engrossed in Roger Zelazny's collection, The Doors of his Face, the Lamps of his Mouth. It contains some of the best imaginative fiction I've ever read, especially This Mortal Mountain, Museum Piece, not to mention the title story. Zelazny has a poet's sensibilities for a turn of phrase and uses it sparingly enough throughout his narratives to engender a deal of trust between himself and his reader - he trusts you to enter into the spirit of his work and you trust him to deliver. The spirit of his work is such that he always delivers.

A wonderful collection really, recommended to all.

 

[J-Sun]

Currently absolutely engrossed in Roger Zelazny's collection, The Doors of his Face, the Lamps of his Mouth. It contains some of the best imaginative fiction I've ever read, especially This Mortal Mountain, Museum Piece, not to mention the title story. Zelazny has a poet's sensibilities for a turn of phrase and uses it sparingly enough throughout his narratives to engender a deal of trust between himself and his reader - he trusts you to enter into the spirit of his work and you trust him to deliver. The spirit of his work is such that he always delivers.

A wonderful collection really, recommended to all.

Agreed - Zelazny's stories of the 60s were awesome. That collection is pretty much a must for anyone with even a slight interest in science fiction or short fiction. (Not that his later stories couldn't also be phenomenal and his later collections also excellent.)

I like what you say about his using it sparingly. He's one of those authors who can be a stylist without losing sight of narrative and can appeal to a variety of readers.