POST RUNES READING DEPRESSION. WHAT IS THE CURE?

[regis]

By the way, has anyone come across a snippet from the audio book?

I have tried to find one, so I could decide if I liked the reader´s voice or not, or I I can understand his English accent. Since I am German, I sometimes have difficultie with some readers!

I could not find any snippet!


Another suggestions for post-RUNES reading:

Go get SHADOWMARCH, the new novel by Tad Williams!

[aiken]

How about this.

Read two of the writers that influenced Donaldson's writing: Joseph Conrad, and William Faulkner. Unless you're genre-frozen, it's hard not to appreciate them, and both have a considerable body of work.

If you prefer your fiction with a touch of magical realism, try Gabriel Garcia Marquez, or Nathaniel Hawthorne.

Of if you're more interested in sticking to the genre, try Patricia McKillip (probably the most underappreciated [in terms of sales, anyway] writer of fantasy alive - maybe it's those awful book covers: has anyone seen the cover of Ombria in Shadows?), or George R. R. Martin. He's succeeded at blowing my expectations out of the water so many times I don't know how he can keep up for three more books. He's more of a medievalist when it comes to fantasy, but because he reads widely in that period (historical fiction by Sharon Penman and non-fiction, like Alison Weir), he captures the period very, very well.

Ok. I admit it. I am lazy/short on time, so I don't like wasting it on trash, like Terry Brooks or Eddings or anything any more by Jordan. (I did likem his forst 4 WOT, but got a little P'O'd after that). I have tried one Laurel K. Hamilton and loved it at first before it started to bore me to death and I dropped it. I'm looking in this genre right now, hoping that there is something decent out there. The only thing recent I've tried and liked is The Dark Tower series. Where would you start with McKillip or Martin?

[burgs]

With Martin, just dive into his current series. A Game of Thrones is the first book, followed by A Clash of Kings and A Storm of Swords.

With McKillip, try The Forgotten Beasts of Eld or the Riddle-Master trilogy, composed of The Riddle-Master of Hed, Heir of Sea and Fire, and Harpist in the Wind.

LeGuin's Earthsea cycle, beginning with a Wizard of Earthsea, while more for young adults but can be appreciated by anyone, is also excellent.

But Marquez - he is worth a read. Talk about prose that sings to you. He's one of the greatest writers in any language, IMHO.

[aiken]

With Martin, just dive into his current series. A Game of Thrones is the first book, followed by A Clash of Kings and A Storm of Swords.

With McKillip, try The Forgotten Beasts of Eld or the Riddle-Master trilogy, composed of The Riddle-Master of Hed, Heir of Sea and Fire, and Harpist in the Wind.

LeGuin's Earthsea cycle, beginning with a Wizard of Earthsea, while more for young adults but can be appreciated by anyone, is also excellent.

But Marquez - he is worth a read. Talk about prose that sings to you. He's one of the greatest writers in any language, IMHO.

Thanks for the tips. I'll check them out.
BTW I loved Love in the Time of Cholera, but I haven't delved into anything else of his yet. Right now, I'm reading Dr Zhivago, but I need something more escapist to fill the shoes of the Dark Tower and Runes.

[drew]

I am currenly reading an impossible book.
It's called "Lady Gregory's Complete Irish Mythology". It's kind of like the Illiad or Odessy, only (obviously) based on ancient Irish Mythology.
It was translated from Gailic/Irish around the turn turn of the century, and that makes it a sloooooooooooow reeeeeeeead. I'm already 30 pages in after a day of reaing...and I skipped the first 10!!!! But there is some really neat stories already.
So if you want Opereatic; in depth literature with sword battles, and Giants!!! Try it out.


I'll let you know how it turns out next year when I finish it!

[Baradakas]

With McKillip, try The Forgotten Beasts of Eld

Holy Crap!!!


I read that book when I was about 13, right after reading the Covenant books! I had no idea she influenced SRD!!! That was a great book!

Cool!!!

[burgs]

She dedicated The Riddle-Master of Hed to "Steve Donaldson, who always called at the right time" - or something like that.

[Brinn]

Not even a question. If you're looking for a read to fill the hole after finishing Runes you MUST read Gates of Fire by Steven Pressfield. If you have not read this book you are missing one of the most amazing novels ever written. That is not rhetoric. If you doubt, check the thread called Gates of Fire and get a few other opinions of people I've convinced to read this masterwork.

[The Dreaming]

Read 'The Gap' series...that should take up a week or two

Hehe, I thought that would fill the couple of weeks it would take to get my computer fixed, It lasted me about 3 days. I suppose I could give you some recommendations. I am really more well read in Sci-Fi than fantasy, but I have read some more obscure stuff too.

Has anyone here ever read Mary Stewarts Arthurian saga? I was absolutely amazed by how much I liked it. The first book, The Crystal Cave was lying in my room for about 5 years before I finally read it, and I was spellbound.

As for sci-fi, here are my top 10.

1) Gateway by Frederick Pohl
2) Speaker for the Dead by Orson Scott Carde
3) The Moon is a Harsh Mistress by Heinlenn
4) The Gap
5) Foundation
6) A Canticle for Leibowitz
7) Ringworld by Larry Niven (the first is by far the best, the second is ok, but the third was unreadable)
Dune
9) Starship Troopers by Heinlenn
10) Stranger in a Strange Land
...11) Enders Game
...12) The Space Merchants by Pohl and CM Cornblueth

For even more to read, you might want to check out the Sandman. As an entirety, the 75 issues qualify as literature. Maybe you could also pick up the Watchmen.

[mickwalker]

I Know how you feel, I cant wait 7 years to read the four books thats not fair,I found kevins watch after reading runes and its like methadone to a heroin addict, not quite the same, no actualy its more like group therapy listenig to other people who are as sad as me gives me comfort 'misery likes company'

[burgs]

I'm not filled with sadness as much as I am with anticipation. Being a reader of fantasy (although not exclusive), I'm used to long waits. Heck, a twenty-one year wait seems to ring a bell....

I'm just glad he's writing it.

In the meantime, there are hundreds upon hundreds of books to read to enlighten, enliven, and enrich one's world. I'm exploring them.