What other fantasy books do YOU read? - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Valier · 02-22-2006, 04:03 PM

Has anyone read the Earth Children's series by Jean M Auel? She is an amazing writer, so descriptive and inspiring. I guess it is a little bit of a "girlie" series. If you haven't read them you should they are very informative in healing lore and practices, as well as fire starting, food collecting...pretty much stuff that would mostly work for Middle Earth stories.(Starts with Clan of the Cave Bear.) You may have heard of this one or seen the movie, but there are four more that come after. They are brilliant!

Nogrod · 02-22-2006, 04:34 PM

Just looked a bit backwards with this thread.

If you like sci-fi, do look at the books by Iain M. Banks (the same guy who writes "traditional" novels without the "M." in the middle). There sure is some fantasy!

I myself started with the "Use of weapons", but many think that the "Player of games" is the classic. His newer one's ("Look to windward" and "The Algebraist") are probably even better...

Lalwendë · 02-22-2006, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nogrod

If you like sci-fi, do look at the books by Iain M. Banks (the same guy who writes "traditional" novels without the "M." in the middle). There sure is some fantasy!

I wouldn't call The Wasp Factory traditional though!

That's got to be one of the strangest and most horrible books I've ever read, but it's one of my favourites too.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Valier

Has anyone read the Earth Children's series by Jean M Auel? She is an amazing writer, so descriptive and inspiring. I guess it is a little bit of a "girlie" series. If you haven't read them you should they are very informative in healing lore and practices, as well as fire starting, food collecting...pretty much stuff that would mostly work for Middle Earth stories.(Starts with Clan of the Cave Bear.) You may have heard of this one or seen the movie, but there are four more that come after. They are brilliant!

I bought these in a set, second hand for about £6. I enjoyed the first three but then I got to the fourth one and stopped, as it became a bit dull, it was mainly about travelling and without the plot of the other novels, which had been pretty gripping. But I might pick them up again and carry on from where I left off, as I hear a sixth book is planned. They are fascinating reading, and you do find yourself getting involved with the characters, but they can be very adult too, so be warned!

Nogrod · 02-22-2006, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lalwendë

I wouldn't call The Wasp Factory traditional though!

That's got to be one of the strangest and most horrible books I've ever read, but it's one of my favourites too.

That's probably the reason I wrote the word "traditional" in parentheses... "The Wasp Factory" really is weird, and a good one. Of these "traditional" ones I've also enjoyed "the Bridge", f.ex.

Banks sure is one of the best there is!

Firefoot · 02-22-2006, 05:37 PM

I'm really glad this thread has become active again. It's one of my favorites for finding new books to read when I'm at a bit of a loss.

Just today I finished the "Otherland" series by Tad Williams and I quite enjoyed it. The middle two books sometimes felt like they dragged on a bit, but I would not say they were boring - far from it. The first one was definitely my favorite but all were good, and there were plenty of plot twists to keep it going. Definitely recommended.

I have read the first two of the Earth's Children books at my English teacher's recommendation - they were interesting and I agree that the author is quite good. I may yet pick up the next book. However, I did find that the books really were a bit too... graphic, I guess, for my taste. Especially towards the end of the second book it seemed like all there was, and that was ultimately what made me put them down. It's just not the kind of thing I like to read.

Valier · 02-23-2006, 12:45 PM

Ha ha I totally forgot about all the naughty stuff in The Earth's Children series! I first read the book at like 15, I was ahead of my times I guess. I just skip past that stuff now. The details of the flora and fauna she uses are fantastic! I think they are a good read still!! Just flip through all that...ok the first couple of books have ALOT,, But I swear it gets better!

Encaitare · 02-24-2006, 01:15 AM

Let's just say anything and everything that Neil Gaiman has ever penned. Well, everything I've been able to get my grubby little hands on, anyway.

02-22-2006, 04:34 PM	#2
Nogrod Flame of the Ainulindalë Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Wearing rat's coat, crowskin, crossed staves in a field behaving as the wind behaves Posts: 9,308	Just looked a bit backwards with this thread. If you like sci-fi, do look at the books by Iain M. Banks (the same guy who writes "traditional" novels without the "M." in the middle). There sure is some fantasy! I myself started with the "Use of weapons", but many think that the "Player of games" is the classic. His newer one's ("Look to windward" and "The Algebraist") are probably even better... __________________ Upon the hearth the fire is red Beneath the roof there is a bed; But not yet weary are our feet...

02-22-2006, 04:03 PM	#1
Valier Twisted Taleswapper Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: somewhere between sanity and insanity Posts: 1,706	Has anyone read the Earth Children's series by Jean M Auel? She is an amazing writer, so descriptive and inspiring. I guess it is a little bit of a "girlie" series. If you haven't read them you should they are very informative in healing lore and practices, as well as fire starting, food collecting...pretty much stuff that would mostly work for Middle Earth stories.(Starts with Clan of the Cave Bear.) You may have heard of this one or seen the movie, but there are four more that come after. They are brilliant!

02-22-2006, 05:37 PM	#5
Firefoot Illusionary Holbytla Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 7,547	I'm really glad this thread has become active again. It's one of my favorites for finding new books to read when I'm at a bit of a loss. Just today I finished the "Otherland" series by Tad Williams and I quite enjoyed it. The middle two books sometimes felt like they dragged on a bit, but I would not say they were boring - far from it. The first one was definitely my favorite but all were good, and there were plenty of plot twists to keep it going. Definitely recommended. I have read the first two of the Earth's Children books at my English teacher's recommendation - they were interesting and I agree that the author is quite good. I may yet pick up the next book. However, I did find that the books really were a bit too... graphic, I guess, for my taste. Especially towards the end of the second book it seemed like all there was, and that was ultimately what made me put them down. It's just not the kind of thing I like to read.

02-23-2006, 12:45 PM	#6
Valier Twisted Taleswapper Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: somewhere between sanity and insanity Posts: 1,706	Ha ha I totally forgot about all the naughty stuff in The Earth's Children series! I first read the book at like 15, I was ahead of my times I guess. I just skip past that stuff now. The details of the flora and fauna she uses are fantastic! I think they are a good read still!! Just flip through all that...ok the first couple of books have ALOT,, But I swear it gets better!

02-24-2006, 01:15 AM	#7
Encaitare Bittersweet Symphony Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: On the jolly starship Enterprise Posts: 1,814	Let's just say anything and everything that Neil Gaiman has ever penned. Well, everything I've been able to get my grubby little hands on, anyway.