Paula Merwin

Paula Merwin asked Jo Walton:

I have huge admiration and respect for your writing, especially Among Others and My Real Children (a masterpiece). Inspired by you/Mori, I just read The Left Hand of Darkness but found it hard going ('scuse the pun) and a bit beyond me. Hence my question. Does Doris Lessing not figure high on your list? I am thinking of the Canopus in Argos series? How about Briefing for a Descent into Hell?

Jo Walton I love Lessing, but I regularly used the Canopus in Argus series as an example of how not to write science fiction. It's such a strange mix of great and clunky. I thoroughly recommend reading Lessing's non-SF, the Martha Quest books, and the Golden Notebook.

I'm assuming from what you say that you're a sophisticated reader who isn't familiar with SF.

I'd recommend Susan Palwick's "Shelter", Robert Charles Wilson's "Spin" and Octavia Butler's "Kindred". These are all character centered SF that start not too far away.

You might also want to look at my collection "What Makes This Book So Great" which is essentially just me burbling away about books I like.

More Answered Questions

A Goodreads user

A Goodreads user asked Jo Walton:

Hi Jo, I am in the middle of Among Others and must say its one of the best novels I have read in a long time. I have been an avid reader since my teens...however...I had a dry spell for the past year. Your masterpiece has brought back the magic of reading! When will your next novel be released? Thank you, Kevin

J.A. Ironside

J.A. Ironside asked Jo Walton:

Hi, I just wanted to ask how you came up with the concept for the fairies in 'Among Others'? They are both intangible and yet as real as every other character in the book. What made you think of them the way you've depicted them there? (Absolutely loved the book by the way!)

Xena WP

Xena WP asked Jo Walton:

Jo, after finishing Transcription by K. Atkinson I wished for a few paragraphs at least of Juliet’s happy discovery of Italy and enjoyment of motherhood, things you describe movingly in My Real Children. I read My Real Children shortly after readingLife After Life and I thought they enriched each other. Have you read Life After Life and do you think it is a work of SFF? (If MRC is, then LAL is IMO.)

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