Honor Harrington - whats the big deal?

[sozme]

I've heard people praise the HH series by D. Weber, but after reading half of the first book in the series, I'm finding it very hard to get through. For one, it reads like a boring military procedural. But people seem to really like these books. Just wanted to see what other opinions are on this series to see if they match my own... thanks for your time guys.

 

[alchemist]

Parson's going to come along and give you a slap

I've read all of the first and did find it dragged in places, but the climactic battle made up for it and rescued it in my eyes. Finish it and see what you think then.

 

[The Ace]

It's a Boy's own adventure - except Honor is a girl.

I've read most of them, and while they're not going to set the world on fire, they're decent Space Opera; thrilling battles, devious machinations, heroes, villains, some who fall between the two..... oh, and a cat with thumbs.

If you read the books with an open mind, looking for entertainment,they aren't bad at all - although Weber tends to dump info with a JCB.

Give it a chance indeed, the final battle (and its exposure of Pavel Young's incompetence) is well worth the effort.

 

[Gramm838]

I've already been metaphorically slapped down in a different thread for suggesting they were YA books, and not very good ones at that

 

[ralphkern]

gulp... To the moderators can you remove this thread before parsons find it... he'll go ballistic!

Seriously though its a good series, but one of the reasons i enjoy itis because its a well realised universe the 'rules' (including a healthy dose of newtonian physics) of which are well formulated and he keeps his stories within them.

If your looking for a quick blast wham bam thankyou ma'am tale of space combat they probably arnt for you, theres no dog fights in space fighters etc. But i feel that keeping it within the bounds of physics adds its own drama and whilst not unique has not been done better.

 

[J-Sun]

I read the first one and didn't end up caring much for it (though I had no problem getting through it or anything). But, as stated, Parson and some other are famous for loving them. I like the Jack Campbell books, myself, (while allowing there are flaws) and some people can't stand them. Basically, how they hit you is up to you - ask about any book and someone will say they love it and someone will say they hate it.

I guess the key thing is probably "a boring military procedural". If any militaristic SF will be boring to you, then military SF is probably not what you want to be reading. But if you just meant this example was, then try some other military SF book/series until you find one that suits.

 

[sozme]

I figured out my problem. Its not so much that its too procedural, its that the characters are not interesting at all. It also seems to me that Honor is a Mary Sue. Sorry but she doesn't seem to have a single flaw and all her enemies fear her (and they are in turns incompetent scumbags).

 

[Rodders]

Maybe that's why we like it? Perhaps we like to think of people out there being virtuous.

I've only read three HH books and I totally get where you're coming from but I did enjoy them.

 

[Vince W]

I do enjoy HH overall, but I do find many of the early stories follow a little too closely to historical events and persons. Sometimes it just made me roll my eyes. Rob S. Pierre rolleyes is just one such instance.

I know that Weber is a historian of sorts, but really. Obvious plotlines and characterisations aside, overall there is enough there to keep me coming back. I do agree that the HH series does sometimes veer into overly technical.

 

[Grunkins]

For those who were put off by the first book, I thought the second, The Honor of the Queen, was much better.

 

[Montero]

I first read them quite a few years ago and enjoyed them then - or at least the first five or so. Then the politics, great big wodges of politics, got to me and I read one or two more, skipping over the politics sections, then I quit.
I did like HH though and especially Nimitz.

I'd kind of like to be able to buy all the Nimitz sections of the series and just read his story, with HH getting an occasional walk-on part - after all Nimitz does need her shoulder to ride on

Other than that, on trying to re-read On Basilisk Station last year, which I had previously re-read at least once, I just couldn't get into it - my tastes have clearly changed. I do remember really enjoying the horrible boss getting his comeuppance being particularly good.

Having said that, I think I just might try giving it another re-read - I have just finished a book and need another light one.

Oh yes, and me too on Robespierre and all the blinking French revolution politics.

But that being said, the guy is a good story teller with a consistent world, whether or not you like the story told.

 

[jastius]

why is poor honor being picked on? honor doesn't have a patch on mary sueism compared to ed greenwood's character, elminster's daughter (the ed greenwood creation of the WOTC forum novels)...

besides which she does have major character flaws...

her main flaw is not being able to put on lipstick.

and don't forget her fatal impossibility of how to accessorize a colt 1911 and full size katana with her purse and heels. such major issues of fashion tragedy... poor honor.. fashions roadkill.

darn good thing she has those space ships to blow up when she gets frustrated with her grooming and fashion dilemmas .....

 

[Vertigo]

I think military SF in general has a very strong tendency towards heroes and heroines that are flawless other than one or two obvious and very 'artistic' flaws (Bujold, Huff and Shepherd I'm looking at you!), and that I find very annoying. However I would say that Weber, and HH in particular, is one of the lesser culprits as far as that goes.

I have enjoyed all the HH books I have read so far, though I have found the later ones somewhat more heavy going than the earlier ones. That said, if you don't like the style, then I'd get out quick. That said as, as Grunkins mentions, the second book is definitely better.

 

[TheDustyZebra]

(Here comes one of the rabid fans now.)

I just skip all the boring military procedural stuff, and otherwise they're great books!

Honor doesn't strike me as a Mary Sue at all. She's an intelligent, competent woman who overcompensates for her insecurities with a focus beyond all reason. And she definitely grows and changes through the series. I love Honor, but I would never, ever, want to BE Honor -- or anyone around her, as that's too dangerous a position. Well, I might want to be Nimitz.

 

[Timba]

(Another rabid fan here)

Larger than life characters you simply love to root for. Stupid bureaucracies we all love to hate. Evil men and women who must be stopped. Political intrigue, assassinations, spies and spy craft. Consistently remarkable story pacing by Weber culminating in really great battle scenes.

All this and more as we discover behind the scene maneuvering by evil Mesa and the genetically modified human's who occupy the real seats of power in their solar system.

Using a food analogy; is this series highly nutritious? Probably not, but it is the best bowl of popcorn I have ever had.

 

[The Ace]

I do enjoy HH overall, but I do find many of the early stories follow a little too closely to historical events and persons. Sometimes it just made me roll my eyes. Rob S. Pierre rolleyes is just one such instance.

I know that Weber is a historian of sorts, but really. Obvious plotlines and characterisations aside, overall there is enough there to keep me coming back. I do agree that the HH series does sometimes veer into overly technical.

Ever read the instantly-forgettable, 'Helmsman,' series ?

If I hadn't run out of books, during a library holiday, I would've thought twice about opening the things. The Schneider trophy, the invasion of Poland, the BoF and Dunkirk evacuation, The Battle of Britain, the Eastern Front.....

Compared to that dross, HH isn't bad at all. At least Weber's Napoleon analogue had the decency to die.

 

[ralphkern]

If you really want it hammering try William Forstchens Wing Commander series. thats blow for blow ww2 the pacific theatre

 

[psikeyhackr]

For those who were put off by the first book, I thought the second, The Honor of the Queen, was much better.

ditto

The second book is about as good as the series gets. It kind of goes down hill after Flag in Exile, or maybe it just gets boring with trivial variations of the same old same old.

Of course fans aren't objective.

psik

 

[Vince W]

Ever read the instantly-forgettable, 'Helmsman,' series ?

If I hadn't run out of books, during a library holiday, I would've thought twice about opening the things. The Schneider trophy, the invasion of Poland, the BoF and Dunkirk evacuation, The Battle of Britain, the Eastern Front.....

Compared to that dross, HH isn't bad at all. At least Weber's Napoleon analogue had the decency to die.

No, I never brought myself to read any of those. Sometimes you CAN judge a book by its cover.

 

[High Eight]

I've heard people praise the HH series by D. Weber, but after reading half of the first book in the series, I'm finding it very hard to get through. For one, it reads like a boring military procedural. But people seem to really like these books. Just wanted to see what other opinions are on this series to see if they match my own... thanks for your time guys.

Hornblower with spaceships. I'd rather read the original.