Themes and nominations for July 2015

[Basil]

Hey everyone - time to choose new books. As usual, we'll be picking two - but this time, I'm going to stagger the polls so both polls get a chance at the group page spotlight.

First theme: We're looking for suggestions of books that explore gender.

Second theme: Real gods. This one might need some defining. I'm looking for books in which the gods the characters worship are a real, active part of the fictional world. Let's hear some suggestions!

[John]

Hmm, I've got a bunch of interesting gender-related books on my TBR shelf...I'm thinking about Dangerous Space or Shadow Man, but I'm not sure which would fit better as "beautifully written"...and there's also The Left Hand of Darkness of course...

[Rich]

I don't think I have anything for either of these actually, but I'm very interested to see what pops up for both of them. I think your definition for the second theme is probably fine as it is - it would be good to keep it fairly open and see how people take it.

I guess Ilium would fit the second theme, but then I didn't actually enjoy it all too much, so I'll keep thinking.

[Brendan]

I vote ten thousand times for The Left Hand of Darkness.

For real gods I would nominate one that I actually haven't read but would like to: The Just City by Jo Walton

[Bryan]

Interesting themes, Basil. I have to jump on the The Left Hand of Darkness bandwagon, because it's a classic that I've been meaning to read for some time now. As for real gods...on the off-chance that there's someone in this group who hasn't read it yet, maybe American Gods?

[Robin]

The Left Hand of Darkness is definitely my top choice..it's been on my bookshelf collecting dust despite my best intentions. I second The Just City, I've been wanting to check out Jo Walton.

[Brendan]

Robin wrote: "The Left Hand of Darkness is definitely my top choice..it's been on my bookshelf collecting dust despite my best intentions. I second The Just City, I've been wanting t..."

Same here, I've never read anything by her but since she's an award winning Canadian sci-fi author i feel duty-bound to check out her books.

[Wilf]

Le Guin seems the obvious choice. But what first sprang to mind on gender was a John Wyndham book I read in my distant youth: Consider Her Ways. Because it was in my distant youth I have no real recollection of whether it was beautifully written or not.

As for gods in fantasy - my own daft efforts aside - I think of Guy Kay's Fionavar Tapestry - The Summer Tree is excellent. There's a book called The Silmarillion by someone named Tolkien. Or how about Long Dark Tea Time of the Soul by Douglas Adams? But I (shameful admission) am that one member who has not yet read American Gods - so that would be my choice.
All very Norse though. Surely there must be something with Aztec gods, or Hindu Gods?

[John]

Wilf wrote: "Surely there must be something with Aztec gods, or Hindu Gods? "

I haven't read it, but perhaps Lord of Light would work? I don't think those are literal gods though, so maybe not...

Wilf wrote: "Long Dark Tea Time of the Soul by Douglas Adams"

Oh, good call on Adams!

[Wilf]

Lord of Light looks fab. Even if it isn't chosen I think I'll have to read it.

John wrote: "Wilf wrote: "Surely there must be something with Aztec gods, or Hindu Gods? "

I haven't read it, but perhaps Lord of Light would work? I don't think those are literal gods though, so ..."

[Bryan]

I highly recommend Lord of Light, although the "gods" in it are technologically enhanced humans, so it doesn't really fit Basil's criteria.

[Basil]

Lord of Light could be a pick for a future theme. Maybe next round we can do a posthuman theme.

[Bryan]

Hmm...I just remembered a great book by Poul Anderson called The Broken Sword. One of the themes in it is the coming of Christianity to Britain and how it intersects and clashes with the worship of the Norse pantheon, and both religion's deities are portrayed as being real. A fantasy tragedy, and a really good one.

[Bryan]

By the way, totally forgot to mention, but happy Canada Day to Basil and Brendan, and any other Canadians in our midst.

[Wilf]

Bryan wrote: "Hmm...I just remembered a great book by Poul Anderson called The Broken Sword. One of the themes in it is the coming of Christianity to Britain and how it intersects and clashes with..."

A really good book - highly recommended even if it isn't chosen for this month.

[Basil]

Bryan wrote: "By the way, totally forgot to mention, but happy Canada Day to Basil and Brendan, and any other Canadians in our midst."

Thanks! Happy 4th tomorrow for all the Americans in the group.

[Basil]

I've started the gender theme poll. It lasts until the end of Sunday. On Monday, we'll start voting on the real gods.

[Brendan]

Started reading The Just City the other day and it actually works for both of the themes.

[Basil]

We've chosen The Left Hand of Darkness and The Just City to be this month's books. Discussion folders have been created for each. (Please see my note in the "Discussion Folders" thread about why The Just City's folder is called "Thessaly").

Happy reading!