What fantasy/science fiction book are you reading RIGHT NOW?

Post by **danlo** » Wed Jun 09, 2004 7:23 pm

Don't worry it's a very short book (Just wait till you meet the twins in "Children" they raise snobbery to a whole new level!

)

Post by **Byrn** » Wed Jun 09, 2004 11:41 pm

Personally I don't see why Dune gets all the praise it does. Heinlein, Norton, Asimov, even Anthony(the Blue Adpet/Juxtaposition books) are better when it comes to Sci-Fi.

Meh, just a diversion until The Last Chronicles and A Feast for Crows come out.

Post by **Dragonlily** » Thu Jun 10, 2004 12:46 pm

The starting book of the series, DUNE, is the reason for the praise. IMO Herbert far outdid his usual abilities when he wrote DUNE, which (again IMO) deserves every bit of praise it gets. I see it as one of the foremost examples of world-building, culture building, and sci fi intrigue.

Post by **danlo** » Thu Jun 10, 2004 2:26 pm

You think NORTON and ANTHONY are better than Dune?

(oh well...)

(I don't know why but to me that's like saying Brooks and Eddings are better the TCTC

)

Post by **dANdeLION** » Thu Jun 10, 2004 2:46 pm

Jon Norton? Well, I think Herbert is tons better (that's not a slam on Norton; I just think Herbert is one of the best), but I remember when the Faank Zappa tune "Valley Girl" came out, us sci-fi geeks were joking that the next Dune novel would be titled "Lord God King of Dune", and I'll be damned if it alomost was! God Emporer of Dune indeed.

Post by **aTOMiC** » Thu Jun 10, 2004 2:47 pm

Now that I'm 70 pages into the Gunslinger I remember why I don't usually read King. Even in this setting his writing style is vulgar and makes me feel a little queasy. (I remember feeling the same way watching David Lynch's Eraserhead) I'm still reading so I haven't given up yet. I move on to George R.R. Martin next. I hope I fair better with his work.

Post by **dANdeLION** » Thu Jun 10, 2004 2:49 pm

Eraserhead is a classic!

Post by **aTOMiC** » Thu Jun 10, 2004 2:53 pm

Princess Buttercup wrote:Eraserhead is a classic!

Yes it is, Princess. Yes it is.

Post by **Byrn** » Thu Jun 10, 2004 10:44 pm

I was Refering to Andre Norton(Star Man's Son, The Beasmaster). The only Piers Anthony I feel is better than Dune is the Blue Adept/Juxtaposition books. The ones with Stile.

Post by **Variol Farseer** » Fri Jun 11, 2004 4:00 am

Byrn wrote:I was Refering to Andre Norton(Star Man's Son, The Beasmaster). The only Piers Anthony I feel is better than Dune is the Blue Adept/Juxtaposition books. The ones with Stile.

I tried the Blue Adept books and couldn't finish them; I found them so clumsily written that I couldn't keep my mind on the story. (I still snort with derision at the thought of people declaring their undying love by chanting, 'Thee, thee, thee.') And that was when I was 18! On a Pale Horse suited me better, but the rest of that series didn't appeal to me.

Andre Norton, on the other hand, has written some amazing stuff. She richly deserved her Grandmaster award from SFWA.

Post by **Lord Mhoram** » Fri Jun 11, 2004 2:19 pm

Dune rules. I'm also a fan of God Emperor and Dune Messiah...not to mention the original novel. Paul Muad'Dib the Atreides Emperor and Duncan Idaho are two of my favorite sci-fi characters.

Post by **Brinn** » Fri Jun 11, 2004 3:32 pm

Just finishing up "The Knight" by Gene Wolfe and will be moving on to "Song of Susannah" next!

Post by **dANdeLION** » Fri Jun 11, 2004 7:49 pm

I'm purchasing one of the "Man Who" Donaldon mysteries right now, as well as something special (I don't want to say until I'm sure I'm getting it, but it will amaze you guys)

Post by **Worm of Despite** » Fri Jun 11, 2004 7:58 pm

Reading the Silmarillion. Got into it a long time ago, but I got disinterested, so I'm starting over.

Post by **___** » Fri Jun 11, 2004 8:17 pm

Cool. I never had the guts to try it.

Post by **duchess of malfi** » Mon Jun 14, 2004 12:38 am

I'm in the middle of a couple of books right now.
One is a stand alone fantasy novel called Forests of the Heart by Canadian writer Charles de Lint. In his books he always has elements of world mythology, and this one in no exception. He brings in Irish/Celtic and Native American (particularly spirits of the desert southwest) into the story, with a large cast of characters all set in the artist/musician circles of a fictional small Canadian city...

The other is a stand alone short science fiction novel called Channeling Cleopatra by Elizabeth Scarborough. It is part detective story, part science fiction. A forensic expert searches for Cleopatra's remains for a high tech company which has leaned the secrets of "blending" DNA, and giving the recipient the cellular memories of the donor...

Post by **dANdeLION** » Mon Jun 14, 2004 12:12 pm

Princess Buttercup wrote:I'm purchasing...something special (I don't want to say until I'm sure I'm getting it, but it will amaze you guys)

Actually, this book is getting a lot of bids, and thought I am still the high bidder, I may fail, and I'd like to see this end up in the hands of a Watch member, so I'm posting the url here.

cgi.netscape.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... %3AIT&rd=1

Post by **Loredoctor** » Mon Jun 14, 2004 12:41 pm

dANdeLION wrote:Cool. I never had the guts to try it.

My brother says it's Tolkein's best.

Post by **duchess of malfi** » Mon Jun 14, 2004 3:03 pm

That is pretty amazing, Princess. Wonder if that is even legal to sell?

I have to save up my money for Elohimfest, or I might bid for it myself. If you get it, please don't give us any spoilers!

Post by **danlo** » Mon Jun 14, 2004 3:13 pm

I thought I knew NJ inside out-but never heard of Long Valley-Somebody needs to tell SRD about this!

Kevin's Watch

Kevin's Watch

What fantasy/science fiction book are you reading RIGHT NOW?