blackrose's comments
(member since Feb 27, 2009)
blackrose's comments from the Fantasy Book Club group.
(showing 1-20 of 212)
I always thought the archetype that Bilbo fits into would be the "reluctant hero": "The reluctant hero is typically portrayed either as an ordinary person thrust into extraordinary circumstances which require him to rise to heroism, or as a person with extraordinary abilities who nonetheless evinces a desire to avoid using those abilities for the benefit of others. In either case, the reluctant hero does not initially seek adventure or the opportunity to do good, and their apparent selfishness may draw them into the category of anti-heroes. The reluctant hero differs from the anti-hero in that the story arc of the former inevitably results in their becoming a true hero."
I am currently two books in for my ho0liday Harry Potter marathon. After that - well, a coworker got 'Warbreaker' for me from her library, so I'll have to read that at some point. I also still have my birthday present of 'On Stranger Tides', and was thinking of trying to reread 'Way of Shadows' and possibly 'Nine Princes in Amber' for discussion. Considering I don't actually read that fast, though, I'm not sure which I'll be able to get to.
I read it earlier this year. I'm debating about rereading it, though, because I don't think I remember enough details to really discuss it.
Blech... not a series I'm interested in. Then again, the discussion of 'The Blade Itself' has intrigued me enough to consider giving it a chance, so maybe this'll change my mind, too.
I recently bought the first omnibus, I believe through amazon marketplace, though half.com and ebay had some decent prices, too, for anyone who might be looking.
Valjeanne wrote: "I've been told, though by bookstore owners that long books don't sell as well as the shorter ones. But I don't think size matters if the book grips and holds you (smile) (like Tad Williams Otherland). Character development and an enthralling plot are both a must, to hold the reader's interest."
Sure, if you're really into a series, then size doesn't matter. It's like I said above, I tend to prefer trilogies but I hate it when I feel like I got "tricked" into a trilogy which becomes a series with "follow-up trilogies" and "prequel trilogies" and "minor characters becoming major character trilogies". For those who really enjoyed the original, this comes as well-received and happy news. For others who may not have enjoyed the original so much, but have that insane completionist gene, they see it as a proclamation of dread. (And it really is insane, people, and I say that as someone who has this problem, but is getting really better about it.)
But I didn't take the original question to be so much a "are long books bad" but more in the sense of "are you more hesitant to pick up a long/book series?". I think the bookstore owners can probably attest to the fact that many people are, precisely because they don't know if it'll grip them or not, and because there is that insanity about how "well, I've read the first of the series, I'm stuck in it now". 'Cause, sure, longer books and series can theoretically have angles and depth and twists that shorter books and series couldn't hope for, but, in my albeit limited experience, most of them just grow out, not deeper and not more complex. Sometimes you can know all there is to know about a person in a short amount of time, just because there isn't really much to know. *grins* Sure there are exceptions, but they're generally the proverbial exceptions that prove the rule.
Anyway, I just wanted to point out that I don't think anything in this thread is a general lambasting of long books as a whole, but just a comment on the fact that, when deciding whether or not to pick up a book or series that you're ambivalent about can be intimidating and often is a hindrance. On the other hand if you have a series or author which you already love, then it's far more likely to be treated as a positive.
Martin wrote: "Hi all, it`s a while since I joined in any discussion here, but I was just wondering if I could get some advise from you. For a long time now I`ve wanted to start the wheel of time series, but as t..."
I really don't want to hijack the thread, and I can't answer your question because I've never read the series, nor do I have any intention of it, but I did want to say one thing and ask one thing.
To the former, 'Colour of Magic' and 'Light Fantastic' are two of my least favorite of the Discworld series. Now, the series, in general, might not be to everyone's taste, and I do find them sort of hit or miss myself, but please don't judge the series based on the first two (or, imo, any of the Rincewind books as these are generally my least favorite.) The good thing about Discworld is that you don't really have to read them in order, and/or you can read only the ones with the characters which interest you most (i.e. the City Watch, Death, the Witches, etc.)
And to the question. You said "Harry Potter (although I know it`s not what you would exactly call fantasy)," and I must ask - whyever not? It's got witches, wizards, epic battles of good vs. evil and lots and lots of magic. What else would you call it, if not fantasy? Heck, the Dark Tower is less obviously fantasy than Harry Potter. Unless it's the whole "well, it's a kid's book so it's not really fantasy" thing that, apparently, Rowling herself was of the opinion of, though I never quite understood it from her, either. *looks confused*
Anyway, so sorry to intrude on the discussion, and I don't wish to start an over-large diversion, but I just had to ask...
I would probably be a bard or some form of entertainer.
I started Soulless on Monday, I believe, and am almost finished it, flu and all. It's more PNR than I expected, sort of like the Sookie Stackhouse book (well, the first one, anyway, as that's as far as I got), but I'm enjoying it much more than I did the other.
I might read it, if I can get it from the library. There only seems to be two copies in the system, and one is already on loan. I applied for a library card today, as mine is woefully out of date. I refuse to buy a hardback copy of a book which I may very well not like, coupon or no. But I am curious to read something by this author since I've heard so much about him, and I'd rather start with a stand-alone than commit myself to a series...
I didn't think you would. They don't have it online at B&N, either. I don't think Borders has it, either. It is available through Amazon, though, and on ebay. Mostly used, though. The new ones are rathe pricey. I'm guessing it's not in print anymore, even though it was only published last year.
If you have any comic book stores in the area, they might be able to help you out, too.
Yes, for me size does matter... and, as always, bigger isn't always better. I do get intimdated by long series - especially all the various ones which have been out forever and most people start saying they get old after 5-6. I never read these series, because what's the point?
But even for new series, when I see that a new book is "Book 1 of X series" I do hesitate. "Do I want to get involved in yet another series? How long is it going to be? Will it go on forever?" A book has to really captivate me anymore before I'm willing to possibly get myself in another investment. I'm the same way with TV.
It's not that I mind series. I'm a big fan of the trilogy. (Ones that are actually trilogies, mind you. I get rather irritated when I get into a trilogy, thinking it a trilogy, and then there's a "continuation trilogy". I feel lied to, personally. Unless, of course, I really liked the trilogy, in which case I'm happy. Ah, the fickleness of opinion.)
As for length of books, I think I like books which are in the 300-500 range, whether they're part of a series or not. I think most books over that length, even my beloved Strange & Norrell, have parts which are overlong and/or not relevant and which drag the general narrative down. In that regard, I do prefer a trilogy of, say, 350 page books, say, over one bit fat book of 1000+. Part of this is just ease of travel and comfort, though. I read a lot on the train, so I want something not too cumbersome to carry, and I have really small hands, so I don't want something hard to hold. But part of it is that if I really hate a first book of a trilogy then I might not continue, but if it's a giant stand-alone, I feel even more compelled to finish it.
It's tough for me to pick just three. I ended up making a list of 20, and then tried to pick my top three. I ended up with the following mostly because I relate to them the most more than anything else:
Granny Weatherwax from Discworld (I have long said that I want to be her when I grow up)
Death from Sandman (I'm assuming graphic novels count and, if they don't, then I'm assuming they do anyway)
Elphaba from Wicked
(and I'm cheating further because, in a tie for third, is Hermione Granger from Harry Potter who I am very like in many ways, except I would never end up with Ron)
I believe you are referring to 
, maybe, which is not the graphic novel version. I'm referring to 
, which is the graphic novel version, published by Devil's Due Publishing (which is purpley, but not purple. The limited color scheme seems to have been a confusing factor. That and my confusion with purple vs. purpley, as I was unaware of the existence of the Collector's Edition version prior to my earlier response to your question.)
I'll stick you in the no column for having read the graphic novelization. :>
Yes, it is the purpley one with Drizzt on the cover, and yes it is a comic/graphic novel.
Has anyone read the graphic novelization of the Drizzt stories? The Legend of Drizzt Omnibus, Vol. 1 I've been thinking of getting it, and was wondering how faithful it was to the original stories.
Because I'm a sucker for losing, I'll renominate On Stranger Tides by Tim Powers again, because it looks like a fun adventure book, and because it appears to be a stand-alone and I'm loathe to get into any new sprawling series right now.
I liked the new movie version of P&P, but found the actual book kind of slow and repetitive. One of the good things, imo, about the book is that aside from adding the "unmentionables", it seems to edit the book down a bit, as well.
Started Pride and Prejudice and Zombies last night. It's a quick, and, so far, fun read (unlike Interview With the Vampire, which I had to force myself through), so I should be done in a few days, and then on to Soulless, which also promises to be fun.
