July's Jesuitical Journeyings Through Literary Juxtapositions

[Pyan]

Still reading "Downbelow Station", which I do like!

If there's a not-enjoyable Cherryh book, I haven't found it yet!

If you haven't already, try the Chanur series, or continue in the Alliance-Union series with Merchanter's Luck. Look here for a non-spoiler bibliography.

 

[Ursa major]

Sadly, the only Cherryh book I've read is Hammerfall, and I found it far from enjoyable - see http://www.sffchronicles.co.uk/forum/1303423-post171.html for my first impressions - but you may have.

 

[Pyan]

Er, yes, I'll grant you Hammerfall - but I think you were unlucky that your only CJC book is probably the least impressive. Please don't be too put off, and try Downbelow Station or Cyteen sometime...

 

[Ursa major]

Don't worry, pyan: I still intend to search out other, more highly regarded, Cherryh books.


(For some reason, Hammerfall was the only Cherryh book in the local library - I tend to borrow books when I'm not familiar with an author - and I have to wonder why, of all Cherryh's works, they chose this one to represent her oeuvre.)

 

[LittleMissy]

Hmmm, currently re-reading the Discworld series

Although, 3 books in I went and bought more books, so I really need to read 'em quick!!!

My biggest problem with a series is I can't just read one and then move on to something else - I feel compelled to read them all!!!!!

 

[J-Sun]

Don't worry, pyan: I still intend to search out other, more highly regarded, Cherryh books.

Not Cyteen for your second, though - maybe not even Downbelow Station. Definitely read it/them eventually but I'd go for something like the Chanur saga or the Faded Sun or, if you like a bit of science fantasy, then the Morgaine series. DS is great but kind of... I dunno... thick? And Cyteen is literally, physically thick and may seem a bit slow and overly concentrated, too. I think most of the rest of the U/A books are safer, but DS should probably come first there (though stuff like Heavy Time/Hellburner (really great books) come before in internal chronology). Chanur and Faded are nice enclaves and Morgaine is essentially completely separate. I basically agree with Pyan, though - I've never read Cherryh's outright pure fantasy (except the Ealdwood duo), I gave up on the Foreigner universe (not because it was bad, but I just didn't feel like investing in it), and Hestia is a pretty bad book - her only one. (Well, and Brothers of Earth was okay but only just). Also haven't read Hammerfall. But I've liked the other 30 or so I've read. So it'll all be good once you're hooked but I'd hate for you to also not care for your second and then give up and miss out on all the rest.

But, then, lots of people love Cyteen, so maybe just ignore me. Still think DS would be the better start between the two, though.

 

[Pyan]

I started the Foreigner universe books, but gave up on them too - I wish she'd go back to the A/U tales, or even (I should be so lucky) Compact Space. I'm sure there's more to tell about Hilfy trying to get out of the shade of her aunt, and I'd love to see a confrontation between Mallory in Norway and, say, Jik in Aja Jin... But I agree, DS is probably the one to go for.

Incidentally, check out my username to see which my favourite CJC stories are...

 

[Ursa major]

I might, pyan.

(Far be it from me to suggest that you're chanur-ling one of the characters....)

​

 

[Ian Whates]

I started the Foreigner universe books, but gave up on them too - I wish she'd go back to the A/U tales, or even (I should be so lucky) Compact Space. I'm sure there's more to tell about Hilfy trying to get out of the shade of her aunt, and I'd love to see a confrontation between Mallory in Norway and, say, Jik in Aja Jin... But I agree, DS is probably the one to go for.

I'm with you, Pyan; I've read 36 of Cherryh's books (though none for a few years) and the last couple were Foreigner books. Thoroughly enjoyed them, but having read those, I thought 'okay, I've read enough of this now.'

The Chanur/Hani books are fabulous and remain among my very favourite SF, but I doubt we'll ever see any more.

 

[antiloquax]

I'd go for something like the Chanur saga or the Faded Sun or, if you like a bit of science fantasy, then the Morgaine series.

Thanks J-Sun, I had "Cyteen" in mind for my next Cherryh read; your suggestions are very helpful!

@pyan - thanks for your comments too. DS is my first Cherryh book. I will take your suggestions on board.

The Chanur/Hani books are fabulous and remain among my very favourite SF, but I doubt we'll ever see any more.

Thanks for your comment, Ian!

Just started reading "The Day of the Triffids" with my 11yr old son. He's a big fan of Dr. Who, so I am trying to get him into other SF! I fancy reading "The War of the Worlds" with him soon!

 

[Lady of Winterfell]

So, I hope, will I, LoW.

Only 5 days left!

 

[D_Davis]

Just started reading "The Day of the Triffids" with my 11yr old son. He's a big fan of Dr. Who, so I am trying to get him into other SF! I fancy reading "The War of the Worlds" with him soon!

That's a great idea. My introduction to SF, via my mother, was old time radio. Tons of great stuff like X-Minus One.

 

[Fried Egg]

Finished "Ahead of Time" by Henry Kuttner and and now reading "The White People and Other Stories" by Arthur Machen. It is volume 2 in Chaosium's collection of his best weird tales, each volume coming with an introduction by S. T. Joshi.

I've previously read volume 1 and there is a volume 3 available although interestingly, Joshi states that all the weird tales by Machen worth reading are contained in the first two volumes of this series!

 

[Connavar]

I decided to go with Altered Carbon - Richard Morgan and so far really liking it. It's got a cinematic feel to it.

Cinematic feel to say the least. Since you like crime,SF you will adore this series.

Morgan action scenes is the best i have seen in SF, fantasy today. In recent review of his Black Man novel in Goodreads i wrote i hope i dont see Hollywood film of his SF books because they are written so visually strong when you read it. Cheap hollywood effects would ruin the film.

 

[Perpetual Man]

Just finished the end of the Mistborn Trilogy, Hero of Ages by Brandon Sanderson, and really enjoyed it. The end might have been a slight 'easy' when it came to tying things up, but it did not detract from the whole, and Sanderson shows that he can do what is necessary when it comes to characters he might have become tot attached to!

Next up I shall be reading... well nothing.

I don't want to start a new novel when there is something happening on the 12th, although I cannot imagine what.

For the next few days I shall be happily trying to break down the huge pile of comics that seems to have been growing in the spare room...

 

[GOLLUM]

Finished "Ahead of Time" by Henry Kuttner and and now reading "The White People and Other Stories" by Arthur Machen. It is volume 2 in Chaosium's collection of his best weird tales, each volume coming with an introduction by S. T. Joshi.

I've previously read volume 1 and there is a volume 3 available although interestingly, Joshi states that all the weird tales by Machen worth reading are contained in the first two volumes of this series!

I'm in the process of collecting that set which looks to be an excellent collection of Machen's overall ouevre.

 

[Rodders]

Just finished Jack Campbells' "Lost Fleet: Victorious". For all it's faults this was a very enjoyable series. I wonder where he's going to go from there.

Now on to Neal Asher's Prador Moon.

 

[biodroid]

Cinematic feel to say the least. Since you like crime,SF you will adore this series.

Morgan action scenes is the best i have seen in SF, fantasy today. In recent review of his Black Man novel in Goodreads i wrote i hope i dont see Hollywood film of his SF books because they are written so visually strong when you read it. Cheap hollywood effects would ruin the film.

That's good to hear

Looks like they could do with bigger hollywood budgets, but since Transformers and Avatar can prove the tech is there I am sure they could pull it off easily, to me cheap is more like the Twilight Saga movies (my wife is a fan so I have to watch, please don't think any less of me ). But I would like to see well fleshed out characters. I think Morgan said something about Altered Carbon being signed to a movie deal, I stand corrected but it could be yummy if it were true.

 

[antiloquax]

That's a great idea. My introduction to SF, via my mother, was old time radio. Tons of great stuff like X-Minus One.

Thanks!
Don't remember that. But I did listen to the Radio versions of "The Lord of the Rings" and "Hitchhiker's Guide". Quality.

 

[Red 13]

Thanks!
Don't remember that. But I did listen to the Radio versions of "The Lord of the Rings" and "Hitchhiker's Guide". Quality.

I grew up listening to the Radio 4 adaptation of "The Lord Of the Rings". Its really good. I still have it on tape. I'll have to listen to it again, i just have to find an audio tape player, that won't be easy... time flies!!