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

Pitchwife · 05-17-2009, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheOrcWithNoName

I sometimes wish Pete Jackson would bring some of the more accessible of these books to film.

Sorry, but trying to imagine what PJ would make of Covenant gives me the nosebleeds...

I've recently discovered Lukianenko's (I always forget his Christian name) Night Watch series and found it rather addictive - kind of an adult version of Harry Potter, complete with a secret community of wizards, vampires, werewolves etc., but very scary, very grey-in-grey and with a great setting (present-day Moscow).
Otherwise, my favourites are Ursula K. LeGuin, Tad Williams, Orson Scott Card (Alvin Maker series)... and Donaldson, of course. I've also read all of Jordan's The Wheel of Time and intend to find out how it ends, but I'm not particularly proud of the fact.

Tigerlily Gamgee · 05-29-2009, 04:21 PM

So, it's not REALLY "Fantasy," I suppose... but I just got done reading through all of the Sookie Stackhouse series books by Charlaine Harris. TRUE BLOOD got me hooked. If you are looking for some "mind candy," as I call it, check them out... it's not like they are super intelligent, but they are quick reads and quite enjoyable.

Thinlómien · 05-31-2009, 02:03 PM

Not like very many people could enjoy this recommendation, but Finnish fantasy is actually surprisingly good sometimes.

Unrelatedly, have people been reading Lian Hearn's semi-Japan fantasy series? I just found the third part of the trilogy from a library after having completely forgotten it exists... and I don't remember if it was good enough to really be worth a read.

*off to devour favourite authors Le Guin, Kay and Martin*

Estelyn Telcontar · 05-31-2009, 02:35 PM

I'm currently rereading Jasper Fforde's 'Thursday Next' series; I know I've already recommended them, but there aren't many books I like so much that I can reread them several times with intense enjoyment, so I'll mention them again. So witty, intelligent, literary, wacky, and absolutely hilarious!!

Boo Radley · 06-15-2009, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Estelyn Telcontar

I'm currently rereading Jasper Fforde's 'Thursday Next' series; I know I've already recommended them, but there aren't many books I like so much that I can reread them several times with intense enjoyment, so I'll mention them again. So witty, intelligent, literary, wacky, and absolutely hilarious!!

YES!!!

The Thursday Next series is absolutely brilliant. I'd recommend them to anyone.

(Care for some toast, Estelyn?)

Estelyn Telcontar · 06-16-2009, 01:56 AM

No thanks, Boo, no toast - but you wouldn't happen to have some smuggled cheese around, would you? Or mabe a bit of Battenberg...

Boo Radley · 06-16-2009, 07:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Estelyn Telcontar

No thanks, Boo, no toast - but you wouldn't happen to have some smuggled cheese around, would you? Or mabe a bit of Battenberg...

(Pssst! Per'aps... meet me down at me flyin' boat?)

skip spence · 05-31-2009, 02:48 PM

Guess I'm not really a fantasy fan. I've got the impression Tolkien killed the genre off by perfecting it and when I tried to get into other fantasy works in my teens I did not get very far. To me they (I don't remember titles) were just pale copies or inferior variations, with the author obviously writing in the shadow of Tolkien. Then again, the books I did try might simply have been bad apples that put me off an otherwise decent harvest. Maybe I should give it another go. Any suggestions?

Thinlómien · 05-31-2009, 02:55 PM

Skippy, in your case I'd start from something else than the traditional-style fantasy. Neil Gaiman's Stardust plays with old fairytales and has a lot of sarcasm and evil jokes, and Guy Gavriel Kay's The Lions of Al-Rassan is more "alternative history" than fantasy: one of the main characters is based on El Cid and it is very much like early medieval Spain, but Kay has taken more liberty by placing the story in an imaginary world. That's two very good ones off the top of my head.

Legate of Amon Lanc · 05-31-2009, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skip spence

Guess I'm not really a fantasy fan. I've got the impression Tolkien killed the genre off by perfecting it and when I tried to get into other fantasy works in my teens I did not get very far. To me they (I don't remember titles) were just pale copies or inferior variations, with the author obviously writing in the shadow of Tolkien. Then again, the books I did try might simply have been bad apples that put me off an otherwise decent harvest. Maybe I should give it another go. Any suggestions?

I would say you are basically right, skip. But I guess people could give you dozens and hundreds of suggestions here, but not sure if that is what you would like: the question would be, what are you expecting of the book. I don't believe there is a "second Tolkien", and if there is, then it would be just a copy. If you are looking for something "similar" in some way, there might be some things worth suggesting, but then again - what would you like: more of a "dragonhunting" stuff, or a more "realistic" world, some plotting, mystery, whatever...
I know for example one author, but first, he's a bit specific, and second, he is Polish and his books have not been translated to so many languages (to English, for example, but just very few of them and he's not probably that well known). His name is Andrzej Sapkowski, and the books would be called something like "Hexer" or stuff like that. Just if you saw it somewhere, I could recommend it to you to just check it - either you will like it or not. It is kind of a "monster-killer" stuff on first sight, but that's really just on first sight, it has much deeper story behind it (and in a way it's a bit parodical of the classic fantasy, but at the same moment remaining serious), and sometimes rather tolkienesque and also a lot more "realistic" in the portrayal of things (like, he is not "black and white" - no way, quite the opposite...).

Guinevere · 05-31-2009, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thinlómien

Not like very many people could enjoy this recommendation, but Finnish fantasy is actually surprisingly good sometimes.

Unrelatedly, have people been reading Lian Hearn's semi-Japan fantasy series? I just found the third part of the trilogy from a library after having completely forgotten it exists... and I don't remember if it was good enough to really be worth a read.

I have read Lian Hearn's "Tales of the Otori" and found them very compelling and convincing, if a bit brutal. Certainly worth reading. (Btw, I just found out there is a sequel and a prequel to the trilogy!)

And I'm fond of Neil Gaiman's "Stardust" too! (the illustrated copy, by all means!) though I even prefer the movie!

Obviously I don't know any Finnish fantasybooks, but I love Mika Waltari's historical novel "Sinuhe the Egyptian" (I wish I could find translations of his other books)

Morthoron · 05-31-2009, 03:53 PM

My daughter and I are reading through Gaiman's Coraline, and it's a hoot! It seems Gaiman has about the same contempt for adults as did Roald Dahl in an earlier generation. My daughter has gotten stuck on a few words when Gaiman polysyllabifies, but overall it's great read for a nine-year old. A bit creepy in spots, I suppose (particularly the 'other parents' eyes), but we've been enjoying it immensely.

Gwathagor · 05-31-2009, 05:43 PM

It seems no one has mentioned Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell, though I'm sure some of you have read it. If you haven't, I highly, highly recommend it. It's like an alternate history of England in which magicians and fairies play prominent roles well after the Middle Ages, and has one of the best interpretations of the land of Faery that I've read. The book itself starts off sounding a great deal like a Jane Austen novel and continues that way for much of the book, but as the plot thickens, it grows more and more descriptive and brutal and dark. Anyway, super cool book, very imaginative, and because the movie adaptation is already underway, you only have a couple years to read it before the film hits theaters and ruins the story for you.

Morthoron · 05-31-2009, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gwathagor

It seems no one has mentioned Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell...

I had discussed JS & MR earlier in this thread...

http://forum.barrowdowns.com/showpos...&postcount=663

I came away from the book dissatisfied. It droned on far too long after a very promising start, and the characters became less and less interesting as the story advanced. Both Strange and Norrell both came off as a bit thick, and the allusions to imaginary books, although clever at the beginning, became an anchor no less heavy than the copious allusions found in Melville's Moby Dick (a novel I respect but despise all the same). As the Emperor told Mozart in the movie 'Amadeus', "There you have it -- too many notes."

I usually rate books on whether I would reread them (I do the same with movies). I would not reread this book.

Pitchwife · 05-31-2009, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guinevere

I love Mika Waltari's historical novel "Sinuhe the Egyptian"

Indeed, a great read! It's 30 years or more since I read it - about the only truly fascinating book in my parents' bookshelves at the time - , but it made a lasting impression. "All temples are dark houses..."
Actually, now I think of it, this book did much to awake an interest in early civilizations and the dawn of history in my adolescent mind, and thus prepared the way for Tolkien. I always imagined Númenórean culture as more or less Egyptian in style.

Nerwen · 06-13-2009, 08:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thinlómien

Unrelatedly, have people been reading Lian Hearn's semi-Japan fantasy series? I just found the third part of the trilogy from a library after having completely forgotten it exists... and I don't remember if it was good enough to really be worth a read.

I read the first one, Across The Nightingale Floor. I had rather mixed reactions to it– it was very well written, but a bit by-the-numbers when it came to characters and plotting.

I'd say it's worth a read, though.

05-29-2009, 04:21 PM	#2
Tigerlily Gamgee Hostess of Spirits Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Meduseld Posts: 1,055	So, it's not REALLY "Fantasy," I suppose... but I just got done reading through all of the Sookie Stackhouse series books by Charlaine Harris. TRUE BLOOD got me hooked. If you are looking for some "mind candy," as I call it, check them out... it's not like they are super intelligent, but they are quick reads and quite enjoyable. __________________ ~ ExerciseJunky.com (Hobbits fitness of choice!)~ ~Lady of Rohan: An Eowyn Fansite ~ ~The NEW/OLD Barrow Downs Photo Page~

05-31-2009, 02:03 PM	#3
Thinlómien Shady She-Penguin Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: In a far land beyond the Sea Posts: 8,093	Not like very many people could enjoy this recommendation, but Finnish fantasy is actually surprisingly good sometimes. Unrelatedly, have people been reading Lian Hearn's semi-Japan fantasy series? I just found the third part of the trilogy from a library after having completely forgotten it exists... and I don't remember if it was good enough to really be worth a read. off to devour favourite authors Le Guin, Kay and Martin __________________ Like the stars chase the sun, over the glowing hill I will conquer Blood is running deep, some things never sleep Double Fenris

05-31-2009, 02:35 PM	#4
Estelyn Telcontar Princess of Skwerlz Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: where the Sea is eastwards (WtR: 6060 miles) Posts: 7,500	I'm currently rereading Jasper Fforde's 'Thursday Next' series; I know I've already recommended them, but there aren't many books I like so much that I can reread them several times with intense enjoyment, so I'll mention them again. So witty, intelligent, literary, wacky, and absolutely hilarious!! __________________ 'Mercy!' cried Gandalf. 'If the giving of information is to be the cure of your inquisitiveness, I shall spend all the rest of my days in answering you. What more do you want to know?' 'The whole history of Middle-earth...'

06-16-2009, 01:56 AM	#6
Estelyn Telcontar Princess of Skwerlz Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: where the Sea is eastwards (WtR: 6060 miles) Posts: 7,500	No thanks, Boo, no toast - but you wouldn't happen to have some smuggled cheese around, would you? Or mabe a bit of Battenberg... __________________ 'Mercy!' cried Gandalf. 'If the giving of information is to be the cure of your inquisitiveness, I shall spend all the rest of my days in answering you. What more do you want to know?' 'The whole history of Middle-earth...'

05-31-2009, 02:48 PM	#8
skip spence shadow of a doubt Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Back on the streets Posts: 1,125	Guess I'm not really a fantasy fan. I've got the impression Tolkien killed the genre off by perfecting it and when I tried to get into other fantasy works in my teens I did not get very far. To me they (I don't remember titles) were just pale copies or inferior variations, with the author obviously writing in the shadow of Tolkien. Then again, the books I did try might simply have been bad apples that put me off an otherwise decent harvest. Maybe I should give it another go. Any suggestions? __________________ "You can always come back, but you can't come back all the way" ~ Bob Dylan

05-31-2009, 02:55 PM	#9
Thinlómien Shady She-Penguin Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: In a far land beyond the Sea Posts: 8,093	Skippy, in your case I'd start from something else than the traditional-style fantasy. Neil Gaiman's Stardust plays with old fairytales and has a lot of sarcasm and evil jokes, and Guy Gavriel Kay's The Lions of Al-Rassan is more "alternative history" than fantasy: one of the main characters is based on El Cid and it is very much like early medieval Spain, but Kay has taken more liberty by placing the story in an imaginary world. That's two very good ones off the top of my head. __________________ Like the stars chase the sun, over the glowing hill I will conquer Blood is running deep, some things never sleep Double Fenris

05-31-2009, 03:53 PM	#12
Morthoron Curmudgeonly Wordwraith Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Ensconced in curmudgeonly pursuits Posts: 2,515	My daughter and I are reading through Gaiman's Coraline, and it's a hoot! It seems Gaiman has about the same contempt for adults as did Roald Dahl in an earlier generation. My daughter has gotten stuck on a few words when Gaiman polysyllabifies, but overall it's great read for a nine-year old. A bit creepy in spots, I suppose (particularly the 'other parents' eyes), but we've been enjoying it immensely. __________________ And your little sister's immaculate virginity wings away on the bony shoulders of a young horse named George who stole surreptitiously into her geography revision.

05-31-2009, 05:43 PM	#13
Gwathagor Shade with a Blade Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: A Rainy Night In Soho Posts: 2,512	It seems no one has mentioned Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell, though I'm sure some of you have read it. If you haven't, I highly, highly recommend it. It's like an alternate history of England in which magicians and fairies play prominent roles well after the Middle Ages, and has one of the best interpretations of the land of Faery that I've read. The book itself starts off sounding a great deal like a Jane Austen novel and continues that way for much of the book, but as the plot thickens, it grows more and more descriptive and brutal and dark. Anyway, super cool book, very imaginative, and because the movie adaptation is already underway, you only have a couple years to read it before the film hits theaters and ruins the story for you. __________________ Stories and songs.