Complexity

[biodroid]

I just saw the teaser trailer to The Dark Knight Rises and man I can't wait to see it. I just want to know if there are any books out there with the complexity of plotting, scope, characters, thrills and action similar to Christopher Nolan's movies. I am a big fan of the man and would love to know if there are any books that can compete. Not necessarily SFF or GRRM's books but anything. I am now getting withdrawal.

 

[D_Davis]

I'd argue there are many, but then again I am not a fan of Nolan or the Batman films.

For something more recent, check out Philip Palmer's Verion 43 - it is a very tightly plotted and complex SF novel with interesting characters and great action. It's got a very cool, modern superhero vibe to it.

Or, you might also want to check out the Carlucci Trilogy, especially if you like the darker tone of Batman:

The second and third books are incredible - kind of a cyberpunk noir thing, with a very interesting city. Think Se7en meets Bubblegum Crises or something, but with more focus on character-driven drama.

I guess I'm not really sure how to answer this - there are simply a ton of well-plotted, complex and interesting novels out there with good action and characters.

 

[D_Davis]

Or if you want something really complex, and experimental, but still with a lot of action and great characters, check out Michael Cisco's The Great Lover.

Or for something a little more pulpy, check out the Matador Trilogy:

This is a more serious Stainless Steel Rat, with a very interesting main character and lots of twists and turns with tons of martial arts.

 

[Connavar]

Im not a big fan either, The Dark Knight was good film but not too good as superhero story and more like good crime drama,thriller and not too complex. Actually i thought Nolan simplified Batman stories,villains.

When i think of complex,thrills,good plotting i dont think books with action. I geuss there are good SF,techno thrillers if you like good plotting,thrills,action but im geussing you have read the people i would recommend there.

 

[D_Davis]

Have you read Joe R. Lansdale's Batman novel?

Might be worth checking out:

 

[thatollie]

I'd recommend Nova Swing by M. John Harrison.

 

[GOLLUM]

I'd recommend Nova Swing by M. John Harrison.

Let me scond that. Harrison is another underrated author IMO, in fact his work can approach genuis...

 

[D_Davis]

Let me scond that. Harrison is another underrated author IMO, in fact his work can approach genuis...

I'll have to disagree; I think he is overrated, and his work is pretentious pretending to be genius. IMHO, of course!

 

[GOLLUM]

Pfft!....

Which Harrison books have you read Mr. Davis? I haven't read all of his work by any means.

I like his short fiction more and what I've mainly focused on to date.

 

[D_Davis]

Pfft!....

Which Harrison books have you read Mr. Davis? I haven't read all of his work by any means.

I like his short fiction more and what I've mainly focused on to date.

I've tried Light and Viriconium. Got about 1/2 through Viriconium, and 3/4 through Light, but couldn't finish. To me it felt like he was trying to disguise his ho-hum ideas with vague plotting and obtuse characterizations, and confusing misplaced-ambiguity with profound-complexity. Definitely not my thing.

 

[GOLLUM]

I've tried Light and Viriconium. Got about 1/2 through Viriconium, and 3/4 through Light, but couldn't finish. To me it felt like he was trying to disguise his ho-hum ideas with vague plotting and obtuse characterizations, and confusing misplaced-ambiguity with profound-complexity. Definitely not my thing.

Well I liked most of Viriconium and haven't got into Light yet. I love his characterizations and enjoy the way he tries to depart from standard tropes. I will get back to you on the short story collections and see if there is one I think I can suggest you try. Perhaps when I begin posting full reveiws of his work you can join in and have your 2C on more specific apsects of his writing in terms of a more indepth discussion as it were...

 

[Connavar]

M.John Harrison is one of those SFF authors i have fought against myself to read or not read next new author read. He won PKD Award which i respect and his Viriconium sounds different and potentially very good.

 

[GOLLUM]

M.John Harrison is one of those SFF authors i have fought against myself to read or not read next new author read. He won PKD Award which i respect and his Viriconium sounds different and potentially very good.

Well I liked it...don't listen to that Davis chap...

Seriously though, I need to read some of the other Harrison works I have and post some reviews methinks including his short fiction which I do like....

 

[Connavar]

Well I liked it...don't listen to that Davis chap...

Seriously though, I need to read some of the other Harrison works I have and post some reviews methinks including his short fiction which I do like....

I will have to try his short story collection myself because its 2 votes against and for him here. Davis and Freid Egg has posted not liking some of his work. While you and Jayaprakash Satyamurthy are more positive.

 

[thatollie]

I've tried Light and Viriconium. Got about 1/2 through Viriconium, and 3/4 through Light, but couldn't finish. To me it felt like he was trying to disguise his ho-hum ideas with vague plotting and obtuse characterizations, and confusing misplaced-ambiguity with profound-complexity. Definitely not my thing.

I take it the Viriconium you've tried is the Fantasy Masterworks edition? In that, I'd agree with you. Mostly because it's not meant to be a series in the same sense that most series are. Also, I didn't like the majority of it either. Although, I thought The Pastel City was brilliant. With Light, I can see why people don't like it but I did like it.

I really think you should try Nova Swing, I believe it's his most readable work.