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re: Sci-Fi/Fantasy Recommendation & Discussion Thread
Posted on 4/19/21 at 9:43 pm to HailHailtoMichigan!
Posted on 4/19/21 at 9:43 pm to HailHailtoMichigan!
I just don't have a lot of faith in the literary critics a lot of the time, especially relative to fantasy as they try to elevate certain things as more respected and to be taken seriously when there is tons of other stuff out there that has very strong themes and message.
Tigana for example, while good and while it had some nice prose, wasn't anything that really blew me away. I was loving the book in the first 1/2 - 2/3 and even that section was just reminiscent of a lot of other fantasy that really captured my imagination.
Also, most avid fantasy readers really hate a slowly developing plot, which I imagine most of the more literary works have.
Tigana for example, while good and while it had some nice prose, wasn't anything that really blew me away. I was loving the book in the first 1/2 - 2/3 and even that section was just reminiscent of a lot of other fantasy that really captured my imagination.
Also, most avid fantasy readers really hate a slowly developing plot, which I imagine most of the more literary works have.
1
Posted on 4/19/21 at 9:45 pm to Sneaky__Sally
Have you read lyonesse by Jack Vance?
Posted on 4/19/21 at 9:49 pm to HailHailtoMichigan!
No, haven't heard of it. Is it legit?
TBH I got into Wot and Malazan and that took up most of my time. I didn't start really digging in to the genre until the last 3 or 4 years when I found this board.
Picked up a couple random 80's / 90's series back after I finished Wheel of Time and hated both of them and it really turned me off the genre for a while
TBH I got into Wot and Malazan and that took up most of my time. I didn't start really digging in to the genre until the last 3 or 4 years when I found this board.
Picked up a couple random 80's / 90's series back after I finished Wheel of Time and hated both of them and it really turned me off the genre for a while
This post was edited on 4/19/21 at 9:51 pm
Posted on 4/20/21 at 7:02 pm to Sneaky__Sally
quote:
, haven't heard of it. Is it legit?
Jack Vance is solid, but he feels very dated, unlike someone like Zelazny who I think is fairly timeless.
Honestly he's similar to Kay in that you won't be sad you read his stuff, but it's not going to blow you away most likely given how much fantasy you've read.
Posted on 4/20/21 at 7:08 pm to HailHailtoMichigan!
quote:
I wanted to read fantasy, etc that is also quite respected as a literary
I've only read Tigana and New Sun off your list, but I found both solid but extremely overrated. Definitely neither are book series I go out of my way to recommend. Both have good prose, but in the case of Tigana not the most interesting story and characters, and New Sun is a hot mess story wise and all over the place.
I'd suggest Zelazny if you are looking for old school critically acclaimed fantasy authors, or perhaps Dune if you haven't read that already.
This post was edited on 4/20/21 at 7:09 pm
Posted on 4/20/21 at 9:44 pm to HailHailtoMichigan!
Not sure if you'd say they are fantasy. More end of the world story lines. But The Passage, Station 11 and The Road are about as well written as anything in the genre.
Posted on 4/29/21 at 1:26 pm to vistajay
Not sure if it's been mentioned in the previous comments but "A Canticle for Liebowitz" is a classic.
Posted on 5/2/21 at 1:11 pm to Uranus Jones
quote:
but "A Canticle for Liebowitz" is a classic.
Agreed, it is a very good book that belongs in the classic scifi fantasy mold.
Posted on 5/3/21 at 8:46 am to HailHailtoMichigan!
quote:
Question for the people of this thread.
If I wanted to read fantasy, etc that is also quite respected as a literary work (aesthetic prose, powerful themes, etc), what would be your recommendations?
2) Little, big by John Crowley
I think Little, big fits those two descriptions as those are it's two main selling points. Keep in mind that it's not a book that rushes you from point A to point B or one that is a particularly easy read. But it's a fulfilling book if you put the time into it.
Posted on 5/3/21 at 3:27 pm to Sneaky__Sally
Not replying to anyone in particular, but I’m about a third of the way through book three of the Three Body Problem trilogy and I’ve never been more blown away. Amazed at how well Cixin Liu understands human nature. The most creative series I’ve read. Any experience with his other books?
Posted on 5/3/21 at 4:19 pm to mceuph
I tried out one Ball Lighting and didn't feel like it hit the same levels.
Dark Forest is one of my favorite sci fi books ever.
Dark Forest is one of my favorite sci fi books ever.
Posted on 5/4/21 at 6:47 am to HailHailtoMichigan!
quote:
4) Winter's tale by mark helprin
One of my favorites. It's really historical magical realism set in New York City rather than fantasy, but it's highly recommended. The writing is fantastic, literally. Fun story. I think Gangs of New York largely was based on parts of Winter's Tale.
A Soldier of the Great War is another by Helprin that is really good. World War I in Italy with a magical realism lens.
Posted on 5/4/21 at 7:44 am to Tigris
Those sound awesome, definitely adding to my list.
Posted on 5/12/21 at 7:52 pm to Sneaky__Sally
Anyone read the second John Gwynne trilogy?
I see all 3 are completed.
I see all 3 are completed.
Posted on 5/12/21 at 10:44 pm to Sneaky__Sally
It's very good. Not quite as good as the first series overall, but close.
Apparently he just had the first book of a new series come out as well.
Apparently he just had the first book of a new series come out as well.
Posted on 5/13/21 at 8:56 am to auyushu
quote:
Apparently he just had the first book of a new series come out as well.
Ya I've seen some fantastic reviews for that one.
Just ordered the trilogy from Lawrence with red sister, grey sister, holy sister or something like that.
I've got a lot I need to hit up from some of my favorite authors, just have been trying to mix in some different authors and stuff like that as well.
- Gywnne Trilogy
- Abercrombie standalones and 2nd trilogy
- 2nd Powdermage trilogy
- Riryia Chronicles / First Empire
- More Vlad Taltos Books
Also going to work in the Esslemont books on my Malazan reread and I've ordered some random books that have been suggested online.
Posted on 5/13/21 at 6:05 pm to Sneaky__Sally
quote:
Also going to work in the Esslemont books on my Malazan reread
The path to ascendancy prequel trilogy is Esslemonts best work IMO and is a nice lead into the series, since it tells the backstory of Dancer and Kellanved prior to the series starting.
Posted on 5/13/21 at 8:59 pm to auyushu
Ya I'm looking forward to that one, probably will be my first read after the main erikson reread and the esslemont stand-alones in the main sequence timeline
Posted on 5/14/21 at 11:32 am to Sneaky__Sally
Anyone started Andy Weirs new book and is it any good?
Posted on 5/14/21 at 2:48 pm to Athos
quote:
Anyone started Andy Weirs new book and is it any good?
I'm almost halfway thru, VERY good
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