Another Recommendations Request

[Michael Colton]

The Lords of Light by Zelazny. Came out at the same time as Dune as has been ignored. But definitely worth a read.

Thanks.

 

[Silver Owl]

You could try Revelation Space by Alistair Reynolds. It's not really hero driven IMO because the 3 POV characters are all - to a greater or lesser degree - not very nice people.

 

[Michael Colton]

You could try Revelation Space by Alistair Reynolds. It's not really hero driven IMO because the 3 POV characters are all - to a greater or lesser degree - not very nice people.

I will add that to my list to keep an eye out for. My issue with the hero aspect is not entirely about whether they are a 'good' archetype, but also how impactful that character is. One of the things that I get tired of with space operas after a while is how extraordinarily important the protagonists are in the story. In many cases, they are described as fairly 'average' soldiers, agents, etc., but end up being an unbelievable linchpin for entire galaxies.

 

[farntfar]

Has noone suggested Ursula Le Guin yet?

Any of them really, but definitely The Left Hand of Darkness.

 

[Toby Frost]

Thanks, Vertigo!

I'd second The Left Hand of Darkness, and also The Dispossessed by Le Guin. Does there have to be a space element? If not, John Wyndham is worth a look. His characters often get caught up in world-changing events, but they're not really the hero of the story, as such.

 

[BAYLOR]

i like to get my books on kindle, and now with the new unlimited borrowing you can get a lot of books for free/cheap.

the top 50 seems to be populated with famous authors, i like to start somewhere in between if i'm looking for some new options

The Star Rover by Jack London. It's about a Strait Jacketed Death Row inmate who discovers he can Astral Project himself into his past lives at will. It's a terrific read. The entire book can be found online.