The Sword and Laser discussion
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Peter F. Hamilton
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Questions for Peter F. Hamilton
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Wow, you got him? That's great. I just wonder how he decides the length of his epic tomes.
In the Commonwealth universe, the technology exists which allows people to basically live forever, both through rejuvenation and by storing the consciousness of the person. This sounds great in theory as a way to never worry about death. However, it seems that in practice the consciousness would still die (like in an accident or murder), and a copy of the consciousness is what would be revived and live on, like a clone. So in other words, the person still dies and it's just a copy that replaces them. Is the intent that the person does not experience death, and that their consciousness is just transferred into a new body? If that's not the case, I would think people would be a lot more afraid of dying than they appear to be. Are they just not thinking about that little detail?
Peter's books are well known for their depth of hard sci-fi storytelling and the length of the space operas he portrays. Does he think peoples' tastes have recently veered towards shorter forms and less hard to grasp sci-fi? Don't worry, this fellow Brit is still onboard!
Alex wrote: "I've never read any of your books. Where's a good place to start?"
@Alex, He is excellent one of the best sci fi novels I ever read really recommend him, his scope is incredible.
I kinda messed reading him though, I was reading Reality Dysfunction which I think is great place to start and I got ill and for some absurd reason I forgot to go back to the book and it was nearly finished, its such a tome its hard to read again and I have left it too long to start from were I left because I don't really remember were I left off now Doh!
Got to think of a question though because I think he is amazing.
Ahh I have one. Are any of your sci fi ideas, things in your books started to become reality, are they designing anything you have invented.
@Alex, He is excellent one of the best sci fi novels I ever read really recommend him, his scope is incredible.
I kinda messed reading him though, I was reading Reality Dysfunction which I think is great place to start and I got ill and for some absurd reason I forgot to go back to the book and it was nearly finished, its such a tome its hard to read again and I have left it too long to start from were I left because I don't really remember were I left off now Doh!
Got to think of a question though because I think he is amazing.
Ahh I have one. Are any of your sci fi ideas, things in your books started to become reality, are they designing anything you have invented.
When can I get rejuvenation and put my 51 year old mind into a teenage body?
I'll second Sandi's question for my 46 year old body. ;-)
There's a joke here somewhere, but I'm certainly not going to make it.
Some questions for his fans:Should I read Pandora's Star and Judas Unchained BEFORE Void books?
Also, has anyone gotten through all of the Nights Dawn saga?
Yes, Void is the sequel. Some characters come back.I've read Night's Dawn. It is partly horror, and a historical figure comes back from the dead.
Night's Dawn is essentially 3 massive tomes as one story right?
Yes. I think the beginning is more interesting than Pandora's, but then you have 3 books vs 2.
I can't imagine how long it's going to take to read all of those.
If each audiobook is 45 hours, and you can read 1.5x faster, 90 hours? Go!
Why, why, why the cop out ending in The Naked God? I suppose it had to end somehow but it seemed so rushed and so disappointing. Was he not sure how else to end it?I love his military tech though and the worlds he builds. One of my favourite parts was the mercs fighting on Lalonde. Please can we have more hi tech military battles in the future.
I'm a big fan of his works but The Naked God ending and the whole Capone side of story were the few disappointments I've found.
Okay, I have a serious question now. Why is the culture of the Commonwealth so much like today? The biggest standout to me was that people still drive cars and they take trains to get from one planet to the next. That seemed kind of odd to me.Also, I found it a bit creepy how common it was for people who were hundreds of years old to be having sexual relationships with teenage first-lifers. Why doesn't their society have taboos against that? It seems that it would be considered child molestation.
Peter.Any plans on returning to the universe laid out on Fallen Dragon? Would love to see some more in that world.
Also what was the deal with the Zanth. A "please explain" or another novel in that universe to do the same would be most excellent.
I'd be really curious to know about his worldbuilding. He writes such utterly massive books, that I'd like to know how much he writes down before he starts the actual novels. I'd also like to know how much (if anything) gets left on the cutting room floor.I've read all of the Night's Dawn series and Pandora's Star and Judas Unchained. Need to start the Void books next.
I love his books, but they're just so dense. I need time between each series.
Also, what were his inspirations? I'm guessing he was a big Asimov fan (I get that vibe) but what was the book or series that made him decide to create his own universe(s)?
Is it true that your next novel with be fantasy?
I would ask him if he is extrapolating about the future or is it mostly imagination when he writes? if it is possible to distinguish? What is the appeal to him about writing space opera?Forgot to ad...Holy Crap you got Peter Hamilton!?!
Oh my God, Peter F Hamilton! :D"Dear Mr. Hamilton,
In the Commonwealth Saga you created the race of Primes. I found them refreshingly unique. They are not just another bug-eyed monsters from the neighboring solar system. In many ways they are disturbingly alien to humankind.
What inspired you in creating the Primes? Where did that „spark” come?"
Brian wrote: "Peter.Any plans on returning to the universe laid out on Fallen Dragon? Would love to see some more in that world.
I'd like to reiterate the question about the Fallen Dragon universe. A return there would be very appreciated.
Can I have another question? :)"Surprise! There is a silfen pathway in your backyard... Would you give it a try and go on a journey? Oh, and what's the title of the one and only book hiding in your backpack?"
What would you like us to ask him?