Kevin's Watch

Two of my favourite Heinleinns. Hope you're enjoying.

--A

Yeah. Loved Starship Troopers. Definitely not a war-epic--but in a good way! Gave me a feel for what it's like to be in the infantry; not just physical-wise but also politically and philosophical. You really get a feel for the attitude of them hardcore military-folk. Reminded me a lot of things my grandfather said about his service.

Always love a book that focuses on something unexpected, such as training rather than battle. Lot of that in Gates of Fire.

Must find that one. Yeah, I really enjoyed ST. The movie made a total mockery of the book. What I was most interested in was the whole socio-political thing as well.

Try and find Revolt in 2100, about a religious dictatorship in the States, written in 1940. Excellent. (I'd hoped I had a soft-copy of it, but unfortunately I don't, or I woulda mailed it to you.)

--A

Lucimay wrote:i would say tenar and ged share the series as protagonists, Fist.

While she doesn't get as much air-time, Tenar's importance to the series, and to Ged, is absolute. Good thing too! It's annoying when female authors don't have female protagonists. Why isn't Hermione the star instead of Harry? Is it because that kind of book isn't expected to sell as well? Well, if all the female writers did it, I suspect a huge, and largely untapped, market would be found. How many young girls would go nuts for books with characters who are so much like them? Irian is an awesome character too! I can only imagine how girls would react to her!

Lucimay wrote:i just happened upon Tehanu for 99 cents in the goodwill bin. i wasn't really that interested in wizards and magic at the time. felt i'd been there, read that. but the writing in this book (20 years and several other books after the original first 3) is LeGuin at the top of her game AND it has an extraordinary female protagonist. a woman of age and substance.

How cool is that? A character-type that is, afaik, largely unexplored.

Lucimay wrote:i had never read LeGuin before this book, had in fact, looked at it and NOT been interested.
incidentally...this was one of my reading marathons. i read it in a days time. and two weeks later i met LeGuin at a signing for The Telling, which was also an excellent read with a female protagonist.

I'm just a TAD bit jealous that you met her!!! I bought The Telling and Changing Planes a couple weeks ago. They might be my next reads, before Bakker, since they're probably quicker.

Lucimay wrote:needless to say, i am now a serious LeGuin proponant.

Please join us:
p210.ezboard.com/fahirashangarfrm37

Lord Foul wrote:Always love a book that focuses on something unexpected, such as training rather than battle. Lot of that in Gates of Fire.

OH! OH! OH! Thanks for reminding me to bump the thread.

you say you've read Herbert's six Dune books, but have you read the six prequel novels?
Dune: House Atreides
Dune: House Harkonnen
Dune: House Corrino
Dune: the Butlerian Jihad
Dune: the Machine Crusade
Dune: the Battle of Corrin

Granted, those weren't written by Frank Herbert, but they are still great books. I would even dare to say they as good as the originals.

Also, Clarke's Rama series is very good. I haven't thuroughly enjoyed any other science fiction series as much as I did Rama.... or hated the ending as much.

I cant believe no one has mentioned the trilogy by Kim Stanley Robinson- Red Mars, Green Mars, and Blue Mars

right now im about 30 pages into the second one - but the first one was one of the best thicker sci-fi reads i have been privaliged to read

the first one is a nebula winner, and the last two won hugo awards, if my personal opinion isnt enough to sway you