Miévillians discussion
Other authors that we enjoy
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Other authors that Mievillians enjoy
I am not sure anything much comes close. I love Jack Vance, but he is as different as you can get.Vernor Vinge, Embassytown reminded me a bit of that...
Martin
Martin wrote: "I am not sure anything much comes close. I love Jack Vance, but he is as different as you can get.Vernor Vinge, Embassytown reminded me a bit of that...
Martin"
Thanks, Martin. :)
Oh, I personally love Vance, but many of my friends find him too "flowery". I actually like that kind of poetic "purple prose" that he uses.
I've heard of Vernor Vinge, but not read anything yet. Anything specific of his that you would recommend?
Greg Egan for those who like their SF hard.Vernor Vinge: A Deepness in the Sky is my favorite so far.
And now for something completely different: Donna Leon, Andrea Camilleri in Italy, and John Sandford and Lee Child in the US.
Traveller, Vinge doesn't write much, but A Fire Upon the Deep and A Deepness in the Sky are good.
Hey, this is cool, you guys! Why didn't we make a thread like this earlier?...so, it seems that many Mieville are SF fans in general?
Will look up these, including the Vinge recs, thanks.
Back to hard SF: Robert Sawyer & Hal Clement.You're right about Vinge's productivity - I remember people mentioning him at the SF club in university in the late 70s, and he still only has a little over a dozen novels to his name.
Derek wrote: "Back to hard SF: Robert Sawyer & Hal Clement...."
Oh, I've read two by Sawyer--those Neanderthal books. Some interesting ideas there, though I had a few niggles and didn't find the writing very polished in the first one, though the second one was noticably better, I thought. ..but I have one or two other by him as well that looks interesting.
Mervyn Peake for me - and hearing CM talk passionately of his love for Gormenghast was what made me give him a second chance (I didn't enjoy The Scar).There isn't much of a theme connecting authors I enjoy (other than that none of them write slushy stories with happy tidy endings), but they include: Alistair Reynolds, Kafka, Iris Murdoch, David Mitchell, Carson McCullers, Alan Bennett and PG Wodehouse.
Cecily wrote: "none of them write slushy stories with happy tidy endings..."Yeah, I prefer that too, which is one of the reasons why I'm not much of a Jane Austin fan...
I like your author list, but still need to try a few of those myself. Carson McCullers? Let me go check that out..
Carson McCullers = definitely does not write slushy stories with happy tidy endings, so that's a plus, right?
I also definitely recommend Steven Erikson's MALAZAN BOOK OF THE FALLEN series; it feels like what a Mieville version of Game of Thrones would be like.
Joseph wrote: "I also definitely recommend Steven Erikson's MALAZAN BOOK OF THE FALLEN series; it feels like what a Mieville version of Game of Thrones would be like."Ah, I actually own a nice treebook copy of that that isn't too big and clunky. It came highly recommended by a friend, so I must put it on the (my own)TBR list for 2013.
Traveller wrote: "Oh, I've read two by Sawyer--those Neanderthal books. Some intereting ideas there, though I had a few niggles and didn't find the..."He's not the most polished author, for sure, but he somehow manages to make a ton of money at this business. Which he likes to mention... His science, though, is usually spot-on. Far-Seer is an interesting combination of astronomy, a retelling of the history of the Renaissance, and paleontology. WWW Wake, Watch and Wonder, are a completely believable tale of the birth of computer intelligence.
Cecily wrote: "There isn't much of a theme connecting authors I enjoy ... but they include: Alistair Reynolds"
I read my first Reynolds a couple of weeks back. Not overly impressed by Century Rain.
I'll second Erikson. There are at least three authors writing in Malazan and I haven't read the others, so I want to try them soon.
Derek wrote: "...I read my first Reynolds a couple of weeks back. Not overly impressed by Century Rain. ..."That's the one I read most recently - half before The City & The City with this group, and half afterwards, which worked really well (I loved them both, and there were intriguing parallels). However, it's not typical of his work.
I read Chasm City first (http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...), on my son's recommendation. Then I read the three Revelation Space books, which overlap slightly with it.
Mervyn Peake, it doesn't surprise me that Mieville likes that, both authors have strong, uncompromising vision. Alastair Reynolds - I also enjoy. I agree Century Rain is not typical, although I enjoyed it. Pushing Ice is, I think, my favourite.Marin
I'm a fairly big fan of Robert Sawyer. I found Humans and Hybrids to be so-so, but Hominids, Flashforward, Rollback, Calculating God and Wake were all thoroughly enjoyable. I particularly found Wake to be interesting, having lived the life of a physically disabled teenager in Ontario myself. Unlike nearly every novel I've read with a handicapped protagonist, Caitlin's tale is presented in a rather forthright manner, without falling into a pattern of treacly can-do bullshit.
I was just thinking the other day, as I was packing up books, that I should read its sequels. I'd been hesitant because Hominids' sequels left me with the impression Sawyer is better at one-offs. Perhaps I should be bold!
J. wrote: "I'm a fairly big fan of Robert Sawyer. I found Humans and Hybrids to be so-so, but Hominids, Flashforward, Rollback, Calculating God and Wake were all thoroughly enjoyable. I particularly found W..."
Ah, J., my dear, I can so predictably set my clock to the fact that exactly what you like is what I won't like, and vice versa. You're such a nice feller that I find that rather a point of sadness. So you did like the first in the Neanderthal Paralax, and not the second or the third? Well, since I much preferred the second over the first one, I'll take it as a recommendation from you to read the third one.
*Trav trots off to go and buy Hybrids*
Oh, and Farseer as well, thanks, Derek.
Joseph wrote: "M. Peake: Titus Groan, Gormenghast, and Titus Alone"<3
Cecily wrote: "Joseph wrote: "M. Peake: Titus Groan, Gormenghast, and Titus Alone"<3"
Ditto! I would have suggested that we do a group read of those here on Mievillians, but reading all three is quite a big project.
Traveller wrote: "...but reading all three is quite a big project."Only three?! ;)
What about Boy In Darkness: And Other Stories and, more controversially, Titus Awakes: The Lost Book of Gormenghast?
Cecily wrote: "Traveller wrote: "...but reading all three is quite a big project."Only three?! ;)
What about Boy In Darkness: And Other Stories and, more controversially, Titus Awakes: The Lost Book of Gormeng..."
I see! Would you say that Boy In Darkness: And Other Stories would be a good feet-wetting for Peake virgins? Perhaps a good idea to try here then, sometime? Or not?
Traveller wrote: "...Would you say that Boy In Darkness: And Other Stories would be a good feet-wetting for Peake virgins?..."I probably wouldn't. They much shorter, but they're all very different in style from the Gormenghast books (and from each other), even from the one about Titus. I suppose they require less time to get a taste of Peake, but if that is a factor, maybe Gormenghast isn't for you, and in my opinion, those are the best of his written works.
(For anyone interested, all my Peake-related reviews (including these two and biographies) are here: http://www.goodreads.com/review/list/....)
I was interested to read from a website paizo.com that Mieville shares my appreciation of the almost unknown and uncelebrated fantasy genius Hugh Cook, whose ten volume Chronicles of an Age of Darkness both subvert and transcend "traditional" fantasy series. Hard to find these books but well worth the effort, there will not be another writer like Hugh Cook, who sadly passed a few years backMartin
Cecily wrote: "Traveller wrote: "...Would you say that Boy In Darkness: And Other Stories would be a good feet-wetting for Peake virgins?..."I probably wouldn't. They much shorter, but they're all very differen..."
Well, I love Ghormenghast, but I haven't tried out the two other books outside of the trilogy that you'd mentioned. I think I'll try Boy in Darkness anyway. ;)
Martin wrote: "I was interested to read from a website paizo.com that Mieville shares my appreciation of the almost unknown and uncelebrated fantasy genius Hugh Cook, whose ten volume Chronicles of an Age of Dark..."
Checking out Hugh Cook.. a few of my friends have commented positively on it, so I might try that first Wizard book. :)
Traveller wrote: "...Well, I love Ghormenghast, but I haven't tried out the two other books outside of the trilogy that you'd mentioned. I think I'll try Boy in Darkness anyway..."Boy in Darkness is beautiful, but with far more of a religious allegorical feel to it. And if you get the edition I have, it's juxtaposed with all manner of contrasting other pieces, including a comic autobiographical anecdote, a supernatural story, and a treatise on the nature of art!
Well, I'm a Bradbury fan from way back, then sort of got out of the reading habit for a while. When I found Mieville it really got me searching for more scifi and fantasy, so: Peter F. Hamilton, Gaiman of course (really only read Neverwhere but got my copy of his new one coming), Kim Stanley Robinson (reading 2312 now), and after Cloud Atlas I want to read more Mitchell. And you all have intrigued me with Peake and Vernor Vinge. Also been reliving the classics, so to speak, through Philip K. Dick, etc. Oh, and Vandermeer of course.I have a few Mieville shorts and short stories I've been wanting to get into, so maybe some of those between reads?
And, I'm saving Iron Council for when we all read it together. And ... if CM does what he usually does there should be a new one this year.
Now I need to get back to Embassytown, which I've been neglecting these last few days. :)
Cecily wrote: "Derek wrote: "That's the one I read most recently - half before The City & The City with this group, and half afterwards, which worked really well (I loved them both, and there were intriguing parallels). However, it's not typical of his work."Now, you tell me! I read it based on your review :)
Allen wrote: "Peter F. Hamilton, Gaiman of course (really only read Neverwhere but got my copy of his new one coming), Kim Stanley Robinson "
Peter F. Hamilton: I'm very much on the fence. He's good, but too wordy. I felt that the 2700, or so, pages of The Reality Dysfunction and its sequels should have fit into about 1000.
I'm slowly working my way through BBC's radio drama of Neverwhere.
I really don't remember much of KS Robinson. What I do remember is loving Red Mars and being annoyed by the end of the series. I remember it getting preachy.
I'm out for an Iron Council read - The Scar ruined Bas Lag for me.
I enjoyed The Scar but couldn't get Iron Council - didn't finish it... And agree that Reality Dysfunction by Peter Hamilton was way too long, became a slog though I hung on in there. I enjoyed the Gormenghast trilogy so much I will look at the other Peake books suggested.Martin
Since a lot of people have mentioned Gormenghast, I'm definitely going to look into it. As for Peter F. Hamilton, I did the Commonwealth saga series, Pandora's Star and Judas Unchained, really enjoyed them but he does tend to get a little lengthy in the world building and sheer numbers of characters and subplots. But for some reason found myself zipping through. Read them on Kindle and only later found out they were "doorstop" books. Had I known, it might have created a mental block.Gonna have to read Iron Council as I can't stand not to complete a series, even if it's not really a series. :)
Did anyone mention William Gibson, Terry Pratchett? Another two I haven't read but hear about. Any thoughts?
We're still going to do both The Scar and Iron Council, so hang in there and wait for us!We can do a Le Guin now from mid-April to May, and then Railsea with Richard, and then maybe I'll lead The Scar myself from late June and on through August if nobody else is dying for the opportunity to...
Allen wrote: "Did anyone mention William Gibson, Terry Pratchett? Another two I haven't read but hear about. Any thoughts?"I love Gibson, gave up on Pratchett.
I think with Pratchett it probably matters which one you pick up; but there are so many of them!
Allen wrote: "...after Cloud Atlas I want to read more Mitchell..."Be aware that they vary hugely in content and style, though having started with Cloud Atlas, you'll be aware of his variety.
Allen wrote: "...Philip K. Dick, ..."
I'm reading my first PKD for many years (Ubik) - fascinating, but great fun, too.
Derek wrote: "...Now, you tell me! I read it based on your review :)..."
I'll take that as gratitude: one book you've enjoyed, and a whole lot more you can enjoy in different ways. ;)
Cecily wrote: "I'll take that as gratitude"LOL. Really, it was a fine story, I just thought that since he made his central character an archaeologist, he should have taken a little more care with the archaeology. There were too many anachronisms.
Ian wrote: "Which Le Guin are you considering?"http://www.goodreads.com/poll/list/76...
Oops, didn't the poll invite go out to all members?
Traveller wrote: "We're still going to do both The Scar and Iron Council, so hang in there and wait for us!I'm halfway through The Scar right now; can I still join in the discussion?!
I've heard from a good number of people that Iron Council is definitely better than The Scar , so I'm excited for it!
Traveller wrote: "http://www.goodreads.com/poll/list/76...Oops, didn't the poll invite go out to all members?"
I don't think so - my first awareness was when a friend voted on it.
Oh drat... there's some GR bug in the system again then... I tried to invite all of you, and I know some people got an e-mail because they told me about it...and now I'm nervous of sending out duplicates. Blame those nasty internet gremlins!!
Joseph wrote: "Traveller wrote: "We're still going to do both The Scar and Iron Council, so hang in there and wait for us!I'm halfway through
The Scar
right now; can I still join in the discussion?!
I've h..."
Oh, we haven't done The Scar yet. In the Bas-Lag series, we've only done Perdido Street Station so far http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/1...
..but the kind of discussion we do, you can basically read the book any time. People who have already read books that we discuss, are actually a boon, because they have already had some time to chew on the contents of the book. We divide the works we do up in sections to minimize spoilers. ...so, if you have read The Scar by the time we discuss it, it would be nice of you to pop in and still contribute to the discussion. :)
I break out of the SF trend by reading Louise Erdrich,a Native American author who writes about the lives of people living on the reservation through the generations. She is a true story teller who packs a punch.I also read Jim Harrison who travels from northern MN TO central MT and south to NM mountains; all places I have lived in or worked through. Very good for grins. He narrates throughout as he boldly struggles through life. Hes not a light weight.
Traveller wrote: "...so, if you have read The Scar by the time we discuss it, it would be nice of you to pop in and still contribute to the discussion. :) "Sounds great! All my comments are always spoiler free, so that's no problem! I really like discussing books but I'm rarely reading the same thing my friends are, so it's tough to get discussions going. I'll stay tuned!
Joseph wrote: "I really like discussing books but I'm rarely reading the same thing my friends are, so it's tough to get discussions going. I'll stay tuned! "That's one of the great things about GR discussions. You need a minimum number of people reading at the same time to get the discussion off the ground, but after that people can keep dropping in and kicking off another round of discussion long after the originals have finished the book.
Traveller wrote: "Ian wrote: "Which Le Guin are you considering?"http://www.goodreads.com/poll/list/76...
Oops, didn't the poll invite go out to all members?"
I only learned about this poll from this post. I suggest another sendout to all the members - you can just explain why you are sending it twice.
(I voted for 'The Left hand of Darkness' and really hope it will be the one that wins. Love that book! Even though I also deeply love 'The Dispossessed' and actually will definitely read it again this yer, I think it requires a much longer chunk of time for the group read to really appreciate all the nuances).
Derek wrote: "Allen wrote: "Did anyone mention William Gibson, Terry Pratchett? Another two I haven't read but hear about. Any thoughts?"
I love Gibson, gave up on Pratchett."
Derek, you are breaking my heart. You must have read one of the very few sour apples by Sir Terry. You should give the City Watch subcycle of Discworld books a try - they pack some punch and eventually change from being humorous to being reasonably angry about the unforgivable world problems - prejudice, hypocrisy, intolerance.
Traveller wrote: "We can do a Le Guin now from mid-April to May, and then Railsea with Richard, and then maybe I'll lead The Scar myself from late June and on through August if nobody else is dying for the opportunity to... "
I am so excited about 'The Scar' read - it's my top favorite Miéville ever, and I cannot wait for another reason to reread it!
Miévillians
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Please be a bunch of dears and tell us about the other authors in your lives!
I could start off and give you a few of mine, but I have very wide tastes so my list would be quite long!
As close as i think of to CM, I quite like Jeff Vandermeer's work, who classes himself in the bizarro speculative genre, but I'd also love to try out Valente, have read a bit of Gaiman, and then of course have read a lot of SF and Fantasy too, for instance I LOVE Ursula Le Guin and Gene Wolfe's work, and would like to try more of Neal Stephenson too.
Enough about my interests, what about yours?