a GREAT idea for a story - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Lobelia · 11-11-2004, 01:05 AM

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I would also like to recommend another seiries that I really enjoy. It's by Susan Cooper and the seires is entitled The Dark is Rising. Though it does have an evil dark power attempting to rule the world, it is extremely hard not to find a book that doesn't have at least a snippet of that element. Also, she takes a lot from Arthurian legend, and weaves it through her stories. Though they are generally for younger readers, I would recommend them to everyone.

The DARK IS RISING series is, indeed, excellent. I remember when it first came out in Australia, staff and students alike at my school were fighting over who got to read it. Not remotely like Tolkien, but the author knows a lot about her mythology and was really good at presenting the "mood" of Buckinghamshire, as Tolkien was at his own part of England.

Lost One, Guy Gavriel Kay is also wonderful, but his later novels are really about our world, though set in an alternative world with different names for people, places and events in our history. Again, not Tolkien in style, but good stuff in its own right.

Azaelia of Willowbottom · 11-14-2004, 12:16 PM

I loved The Dark Is Rising series. They're fascinating because while having a lot of arthurian elements to them, the idea is original and it keeps you guessing and wondering what will happen next.

I read Sword of Shannara a long time ago, and was very, very disappointed with it. Not only was it a rip-off of LOTR, it wasn't even a GOOD rip-off. It's a mystery to me why his books seem to be everywhere and why people actually read them. It sort of makes sense if they were published shortly after JRRT's death when people were really wanting more, but it still doesn't explain why they seem so well-liked now. I once met a lady who was a HUGE fan of Terry Brooks' writing, and she couldn't see how similar Sword of Shannara was to LOTR. She said she didn't really think it was...And I just grunted and left it at that because she was my dad's friend and a nice person. If she had been someone I didn't like, I think I would have been much more assertive.

Another recommendation for those who want some interesting fantasy...
Ursula K. Le Guin has just come out with a new book, Gifts . It isn't connected in any way with her Earthsea novels...and it is a very interesting and beautiful read. It's about this world where family groups each have their own particular gift of power: Some can communicate with animals, others can heal, and still others can kill, completely destroy, or cause a wasting sickness. The story is about two young people, a boy and a girl, who reject what their society has become. It's really fascinating, and it made me think. I believe it is a book for younger audiences (I found it in the teen section of my library) but there is nothing that would make it less interesting for adults who don't mind reading about younger people. This one gets a thumbs up from me, and I would recommend it to just about anyone.

Tuor of Gondolin · 11-14-2004, 03:06 PM

A few comments here, especially on "Shannara".
A comment above is rather accurate, The Sword of Shannara does read like
Middle-earth lite. I've read several of the series, and especially surprising is his
lack of attention to maps (only one small one is used repeatedly, and his elves
seem indistinguishable from men). As a summertime, seashore read it's probably
a passable form of idle reading, but that's it. Especially irritating is the Gandalf
character copy.

But for an hilarious read (and one written about the time of LOTR) try "The
Incomplete Enchanter" and its sequels, by L. Sprague De Camp. In it Chicago
psychologists get involved in the world of Norse mythology and Spenser's
The Fairy Queen.

THE Ka · 11-14-2004, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Azaelia of Willowbottom

I loved The Dark Is Rising series. They're fascinating because while having a lot of arthurian elements to them, the idea is original and it keeps you guessing and wondering what will happen next.

I read Sword of Shannara a long time ago, and was very, very disappointed with it. Not only was it a rip-off of LOTR, it wasn't even a GOOD rip-off. It's a mystery to me why his books seem to be everywhere and why people actually read them. It sort of makes sense if they were published shortly after JRRT's death when people were really wanting more, but it still doesn't explain why they seem so well-liked now. I once met a lady who was a HUGE fan of Terry Brooks' writing, and she couldn't see how similar Sword of Shannara was to LOTR. She said she didn't really think it was...And I just grunted and left it at that because she was my dad's friend and a nice person. If she had been someone I didn't like, I think I would have been much more assertive.

Another recommendation for those who want some interesting fantasy...
Ursula K. Le Guin has just come out with a new book, Gifts . It isn't connected in any way with her Earthsea novels...and it is a very interesting and beautiful read. It's about this world where family groups each have their own particular gift of power: Some can communicate with animals, others can heal, and still others can kill, completely destroy, or cause a wasting sickness. The story is about two young people, a boy and a girl, who reject what their society has become. It's really fascinating, and it made me think. I believe it is a book for younger audiences (I found it in the teen section of my library) but there is nothing that would make it less interesting for adults who don't mind reading about younger people. This one gets a thumbs up from me, and I would recommend it to just about anyone.

Awsome! I have to read it now! i loved the first three earthsea books... the forth Tehanu: The Last Book of Earthsea was very,very,VERY drawn out. I was expecting something to happen with the dragons- turned- into- people folks and Ged or Ogion. But, so much for that. My favortie was the Farthest Shore... i loved the chapter about the Children of the Sea.

11-14-2004, 12:16 PM	#2
Azaelia of Willowbottom Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: By the Sea Posts: 446	I loved The Dark Is Rising series. They're fascinating because while having a lot of arthurian elements to them, the idea is original and it keeps you guessing and wondering what will happen next. I read Sword of Shannara a long time ago, and was very, very disappointed with it. Not only was it a rip-off of LOTR, it wasn't even a GOOD rip-off. It's a mystery to me why his books seem to be everywhere and why people actually read them. It sort of makes sense if they were published shortly after JRRT's death when people were really wanting more, but it still doesn't explain why they seem so well-liked now. I once met a lady who was a HUGE fan of Terry Brooks' writing, and she couldn't see how similar Sword of Shannara was to LOTR. She said she didn't really think it was...And I just grunted and left it at that because she was my dad's friend and a nice person. If she had been someone I didn't like, I think I would have been much more assertive. Another recommendation for those who want some interesting fantasy... Ursula K. Le Guin has just come out with a new book, Gifts . It isn't connected in any way with her Earthsea novels...and it is a very interesting and beautiful read. It's about this world where family groups each have their own particular gift of power: Some can communicate with animals, others can heal, and still others can kill, completely destroy, or cause a wasting sickness. The story is about two young people, a boy and a girl, who reject what their society has become. It's really fascinating, and it made me think. I believe it is a book for younger audiences (I found it in the teen section of my library) but there is nothing that would make it less interesting for adults who don't mind reading about younger people. This one gets a thumbs up from me, and I would recommend it to just about anyone. __________________ "Wherever I have been, I am back."

11-14-2004, 03:06 PM	#3
Tuor of Gondolin Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Pennsylvania, WtR, passed Sarn Gebir: Above the rapids (1239 miles) BtR, passed Black Rider Stopping Place (31 miles) Posts: 1,548	A few comments here, especially on "Shannara". A comment above is rather accurate, The Sword of Shannara does read like Middle-earth lite. I've read several of the series, and especially surprising is his lack of attention to maps (only one small one is used repeatedly, and his elves seem indistinguishable from men). As a summertime, seashore read it's probably a passable form of idle reading, but that's it. Especially irritating is the Gandalf character copy. But for an hilarious read (and one written about the time of LOTR) try "The Incomplete Enchanter" and its sequels, by L. Sprague De Camp. In it Chicago psychologists get involved in the world of Norse mythology and Spenser's The Fairy Queen. __________________ Aure Entuluva!

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11-11-2004, 01:05 AM	#1
Lobelia Wight Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Australia Posts: 150	[ I would also like to recommend another seiries that I really enjoy. It's by Susan Cooper and the seires is entitled The Dark is Rising. Though it does have an evil dark power attempting to rule the world, it is extremely hard not to find a book that doesn't have at least a snippet of that element. Also, she takes a lot from Arthurian legend, and weaves it through her stories. Though they are generally for younger readers, I would recommend them to everyone. The DARK IS RISING series is, indeed, excellent. I remember when it first came out in Australia, staff and students alike at my school were fighting over who got to read it. Not remotely like Tolkien, but the author knows a lot about her mythology and was really good at presenting the "mood" of Buckinghamshire, as Tolkien was at his own part of England. Lost One, Guy Gavriel Kay is also wonderful, but his later novels are really about our world, though set in an alternative world with different names for people, places and events in our history. Again, not Tolkien in style, but good stuff in its own right.