The Sword and Laser discussion
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Bridge of Birds
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BoB: Just picked up my copy...
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If you carefully read the post, you will see that I haven't started it yet, that I am afraid that I am going to lem it, haven't yet, and am going to give it a go. I also acknowledged that I recognize that it is a ridiculous attitude. Which is why I went to the store and bought a copy when I am virtually unemployed.
I was hoping to focus on the fact that this community is pushing me beyond my normal boundaries, which I thought was a good thing. I was hoping for words of encouragement and support and not ridicule and condemnations.
Guess I was in the wrong place.
I wouldn't pick this book either. I was thinking about not reading it at all. I don't read fantasy much in general. But I decided to try it, just like you did. The best thing about first few chapters of this story about 'an ancient China that never was' was the Chinese tea from 'modern China that still is' I would drink while reading. Then suddenly 9th chapter came and I started to like the book, I hope it will last.
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Guess I was in the wrong place. "
Well I'll give you a little of both. I agree with Alex that starting these sort of I'm going to lem the books threads are pretty tired. Especially going off on a tangent for a paragraph. I think you're likely to get his sort of reaction.
That said, I really enjoyed the book and plan to check out the next two when I get more time. I will say the first chapter did nothing for me, but I was into it before finishing the second one.
I'd give it until meeting Master Li. I forget how far in that in that is. Chapter 3 or 4 maybe. Either way it's a super short read at only 250 pages anyways.
You can also check out My review of the book if you want. It's fairly short and spoiler free.
Carter wrote: "The final nail in my tower of concern was picking it up to see that Anne McCaffery is the only blub on the book."If I cared about cover blurbs, I might never have read A Game of Thrones or Elantris. They're just a pay-it-forward/pay-it-back tradition among authors to help with marketing. I'm sure George R.R. Martin is happy all those Wheel of Time fans picked up his book because of Robert Jordan's blurb on the cover, but I certainly wasn't one of them. I'm still really glad I read A Game of Thrones.
I agree with Rob: the introduction of Master Li, and especially his subsequent interactions with Ox and the village's problem, were what really grabbed me and made me want to see more.
I suppose books can be like people. First impressions stick. Often it is only after "giving it a go" that we realise what we might have missed. I wonder what other books we might have missed had we gone with first impressions taken from the cover, the blurb or the advertising?
I totally wasn't sure about this one either... but I LOVED it. I seriously couldn't stop-read it in 2 days. Good luck!
Andrew wrote: "I suppose books can be like people. First impressions stick. Often it is only after "giving it a go" that we realise what we might have missed. I wonder what other books we might have missed had we..."I often wonder that myself....
Sorry guys, I'm new around these parts.What does, "Lem" or rather Lemming mean in this context? I tried to google it but I got drastically different search results.
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What does, "Lem" or rather Lemming mean in this context? I tried to google it but I got drastically different search results."
From the FAQ Thread
"The term "Lem" means to not finish a book and abandon it. This term comes from when Sword and Laser were reading Stanisław Lem's Memoirs Found in a Bathtub. Veronica couldn't make it through the book so just gave up reading it."
Thanks a lot, I meant to reply to this thread as my co-worker found the FAQ.Gosh, what a shame to have to lem a book but understandable.
One think to realize about this book is that it wasn't a major release at first, its lack of blurbs probably reflects that rather than anything regarding the quality of the book.
While I have been known to judge a book by its cover, I rarely use the author blurbs as a basis of decision. With Bridge of Birds, also keep in mind that this book was first published in 1984, and in those days, Anne McCaffrey was one of the top selling genre authors. So, from a marketing standpoint, the publisher probably felt that the blurb was a coup. And I don't think the publisher has ever bothered to do a redesign of the cover since its first edition.
I trust Whiteboard Aaron, so when I ran across it at my local B&N I picked it up and was going to read it anyway, but now that it's an official pick, I'll get right to it. So yeah, it could have been in a brown paper bag with Dan Brown blurbs and I would have still bought it.
Kristina wrote: "I totally wasn't sure about this one either... but I LOVED it. I seriously couldn't stop-read it in 2 days. Good luck!"That was my experience, too - It started a little slow, but once it picked up (and it didn't take long!) I couldn't put it down, and finished it in about the same time. I can't wait to read the next two books, now, and I'm super sad that the author never wrote any more.
I have been known to read (and not read) books because of their covers. I must admit that the cover looked pretty stuffy to me, and I wouldn't have picked it if it wasn't for the Sword & Laser. Oh my goodness, I am so glad that I decided to read this book (well, right now I am listening to the audio version until the library gets the book in). It is exciting and hilarious and completely ridiculous at times. In fact, I am happy to say that the book isn't stuffy at all.
So, I'll admit that everyone's profuse praise is making me a little more excited to read Bridge of Birds: A Novel of an Ancient China That Never Was. I'll probably get to it this weekend. I have about 180 pages left in The Great Hunt (I am trying for a full re-read of WoT in preperation for A Memory of Light coming out in paper back in about a year). Anyway, once I'm done with The Great Hunt later today, I'll take up Bridge of Birds: A Novel of an Ancient China That Never Was.
At this point I am kinda scared that if I don't like it Whiteboard Aaron will show up at my house and, uh, "teach me a lesson!"
Relax. The re-education process is mostly painless.
I've wanted to read this book ever since I learned it was the joint winner of the 1985 World Fantasy Award along with Robert Holdstock's Mythago Wood (one of my favourite books ever).So, I was excited to track down a secondhand copy recently and even more motivated to read it when I heard it was coming up in the Book Club.
Reading the praise here and in other threads is very encouraging, too.
So far, I've only read two chapters, which were admittedly slow, but all accounts point to it picking up soon.
Carter wrote: "So, I'll admit that everyone's profuse praise is making me a little more excited to read Bridge of Birds: A Novel of an Ancient China That Never Was. I'll probably get to it this weekend. I have ..."I'm having a hard time reading anything new right now because I decided to re-read all of the WoT books as well (though I don't have the patience to wait for paperback) so this will go on my "to read" pile...
Though- does anyone know if Bridge of Birds is available in ebook form anywhere? >.>
Yes, there are a couple links in various threads here... It is sold as the trilogy, "The Chronicles of Master Li and Number Ten Ox." I know it's in the Kindle store and I think on the publisher or author website?
I've just checked and it is not in the uk Amazon Kindle store. the only copy available on amazon in trilogy form is a used hardcover at £128.48 http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1596064552
The Sword and Laser
Books mentioned in this topic
Bridge of Birds (other topics)The Great Hunt (other topics)
A Memory of Light (other topics)
A Game of Thrones (other topics)
Elantris (other topics)
There is absolutely NOTHING about this book that would make me want to buy it if we weren't reading it in the book club. The final nail in my tower of concern was picking it up to see that Anne McCaffery is the only blub on the book. I know that this may be sacrilege, but I just can't stand McCaffery. I'm sure it stems from a particular teacher I had in middle school that was just all about her. I had a less than pleasant relationship with this particular teacher and I have just never, ever been able to get into and enjoy the Pern books. I find them tedious and boring (this from a guy that has read the Silmarillion like 12 times.)
But the whole point is to push my boundaries, so I'll give it a go. At least its short?
[And I know that I am being a little ridiculous, but I'll admit that I do judge books by their covers. It is the way that marketing people try and reach their audience for a particular book, and this cover doesn't scream that I am in the intended audience for this particular one. We shall see]