Kevin's Watch

Well kind of I compelted it a couple of days ago. I would love some feed back. I'm working on a Sci-fi list to Danlo for my board! Probably will refelct my ignorance in the genre however:(

101

You have excellent taste! Nice to see The Book of the New Sun near the top!

Very impressive. There are a few books on the list that I've started but just couldn't get into, and one or two that just rubbed me the wrong way. And of course about 80 of the entries on your list I haven't read at all. But of the books on your list that I have actually read straight through, nearly all are among my personal favourites.

I think if there's one big difference between your taste and mine, it's that I just don't have much appetite for the kind of dark, nihilistic tone that is particularly common among present-day British authors. Mieville, Moorcock, and Pullman wouldn't be on my list if I made one (and Tolkien would be ahead of Peake).

The thing is, I'm desperately short of money, almost unemployable, personally unpopular, chronically ill, and perpetually lonely. The authors I'm speaking of have mostly got families, fans, friends, a certain amount of fame, and at least a comfortable middle-class standard of living. I don't need the benefit of their wisdom to tell me that life sucks!

So nowadays I prefer to read about characters who can find positive ways to resolve at least some of their problems. I'm not a sucker for happy endings, but I like hopeful ones.

This is not to criticize your list in any way. Mostly I'm just thinking out loud (well, with loud electrons), because it helps me if I can understand other people's tastes and interests better.

I prefer bleaker works. BUt that's just me.

Variol Farseer wrote:The thing is, I'm desperately short of money, almost unemployable, personally unpopular, chronically ill, and perpetually lonely. The authors I'm speaking of have mostly got families, fans, friends, a certain amount of fame, and at least a comfortable middle-class standard of living. I don't need the benefit of their wisdom to tell me that life sucks! icon_sad.gif

I'm so sorry to read that, VF. Cheer up - you have something many people lack: high intelligence, great debator, and are a talented writer!

VF wrote:...personally unpopular...

You're very popular, at least with me. For what it's worth, your currently my favorite poster! Keep up the good work! And hope things get better for you.

Thanks, LM & Brinn.

Unfortunately, high intelligence (if that is indeed something that I have — a matter of some doubt), debating skills, and writing talent will just about buy you a cup of coffee these days — but only at a cheaper place than Starbuck's.

And I seem to be walking around the Watch these days with both feet in my mouth. Which is quite a circus trick; I wish I could charge admission.

Now. Now. Please stop being so hard on yourself. We all have rough patches and places in our lives. God knows, I certainly have, and I'm sure that I am not alone in that. From the sound of it, you have had your share lately. It can get anyone down from time to time.

Things will get better -- I have read one of your manuscripts, and I thought it was quite brilliant. When Tor finally publishes your books, I think you will develop quite a fan base, and your financial problems will hopefully take care of themselves.

Unfortunately, Duchess, Tor seems to be having trouble keeping up with its own success. My friend Sherwood Smith has a perfect way of putting it: 'alimentary spasms'. They've swallowed more books than they can digest, and so their whole system is congested.

Also, they've developed a bad habit of dividing books into smaller and smaller pieces so they can charge more. They'd rather sell a story in six $8 paperbacks than three $10 ones. They seem to have forgotten that the public likes big books. Also, that the public can count. Many people who would gladly shell out $30 for a trilogy will balk at spending $48 on the same story in six volumes.

But we shall see what develops. I still haven't actually received a rejection slip yet, and Sherwood has suggested other possibilities if I do. I just have to find a way to pay the rent till that happens.

I agree with Brinn, by the way, I think you're one of the best posters on the boards.

No offense taken at all Variol, we all ahve differnt tastes:)

Also, they've developed a bad habit of dividing books into smaller and smaller pieces so they can charge more. They'd rather sell a story in six $8 paperbacks than three $10 ones. They seem to have forgotten that the public likes big books. Also, that the public can count. Many people who would gladly shell out $30 for a trilogy will balk at spending $48 on the same story in six volumes.

Strangely enough this is one of the main reasons why I like some of the authors I have chosen, who as you do tend to lean in the direction of being or are nihilistic in tone in regards to there work. Most such authors (Mieville, VanderMeer, etc) tend to write what I think are great reads and only need one installment to do so. One of the reasons why I enjoyed Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell so much was that I truly felt in one installment she really delivered the same amount of words as another author/publisher would split into 3 (the text size was rather small as well), or at least 2 books. There are very few new series of worth IMHO (I can only think of a few "new" ones of quality by Steph Swainston, and John C. Wright come to mind).


Anyways, hope things get better far you!

Okay, enough is enough. We have Loremaster's top 50, danlo's top 60,and not this top 101 list. One should suffice, but because I'm so kind, I'll let these three stand. But, no more please. If this keeps going on, there'll be "Revan's top 50 favorite top 50 lists" and I don't think any of us want that to happen........