2011-10 Others works by C.J. Cherryh

[Stefan, Group Founder + Moderator (Retired)]

Thought I'd set up a topic for discussion of other works by C.J. Cherryh (aside from the Fortress and Foreigner series we're discussion this month). Let us know your favorites, any series you're hoping will be continued, etc.

[Kathi, Moderator & Book Lover]

Well, this would fall under the category of NOT favorites, and one reason why I hesitated to read any other books by Cherryh. I started by reading her trilogy based on Russian folklore: Rusalka, Chernevog, and Yvgenie. I didn't like them at all.

Then I read Fortress in the Eye of Time and liked that a lot, went on to collect the rest of that series but have only read some of them. I also read another book that she wrote with some other authors (but the name escapes me), and liked that.

I've started collecting some of the Foreigner series to read at some point.

[Rob]

Favorite books by C.J. Cherryh? That's easy:

1.) Forty Thousand in Gehenna
2.) the "Chanur" series
3.) the Merovingen Nights series

[Jim]

Where do I begin!

Most all of the Company Wars novels, with the exception of Heavy Time, which, for some reason, I could not connect with. All of the Compact Space (Chanur) tales. All of the Age of Exploration novels, especially Cuckoo's Egg. Both of the Gene Wars novels: Hammerfall and Forge of Heaven (Is there a possibility for a third book??). I loved Forty Thousand in Gehenna and Serpent's Reach. But my all time fave has to be the Faded Sun trilogy. Wonderful characters and an epic tale. I'm sure my memory is not serving me, but I found the character of the human Sten Duncan to be somewhat similar to that of Bren Cameron in the Foreigner novels.

[Shel, Moderator]

I haven't yet managed to get my hands on either of the books for the monthly discussions (though Foreigner is on its way in the mail for me to hopefully get to before the end of the month...), but I have enjoyed most of the Cherryh I've read. First one I ever read was Cuckoo's Egg. I took out The Morgaine Saga from the library and didn't love it - had a hard time connecting to the characters - but loved the Chanur books when I went back to her SF. I own The Faded Sun Trilogy but haven't read it yet.

[Sandra]

I've yet to read a Cherryh book I haven't liked, but if I were pressed, my all time favorite is Cyteen. I LOVE the Foreigner series, liked (a lot) every novel I've read so far in the Alliance/Union universe, have not yet read The Faded Sun Trilogy - although it's next in my TBR pile. I'm on to the second Fortress novel after just love, love, loving this month's choice in that series.

[Stefan, Group Founder + Moderator (Retired)]

I think I'm getting to know your taste a bit, and I think you're going to love Faded Sun, Sandra.

As for me, I've read almost everything by CJ Cherryh. I went through a phase where I collected several editions of her older works (in second hand stores and so on), had 4 or 5 of some books at one point, but then donated most of the duplicates when I moved. I still have enough to fill an entire shelf, double-stacked. At some point I'm going to set aside an entire year just to re-read old favorites, and that year will feature a lot of Cherryh books...

[Hélène]

It's very difficult to list favorites where Cherryh is concerned. With the exception of the Russian Trilogy, I liked everything she wrote. I probably re-read the Chanur Series more often than the other ones (Pyanfar is "grumpy-ly" fun!): a favorite among favorites.

[Janny]

I have loved CJ Cherryh since I first stumbled on Gate of Ivrel - hooked ever since.

The books she's written about the way outer fringes truly creeped me OUT.

Each series in its way has been different and knocked my socks off. Even the standalones.

I think her fantasy deserves far wider recognition and accolade than it's received - but given it is not in the cookie cutter mold, this is not surprising. Most of the HUGE successes tend to run all over the same arctypes. Her work has most notably avoided this.

Nobody has mentioned that fantastic little duology - Cloud's Rider and sequel - where the world itself was a major player - I've NEVER seen an alien world/contact with humans done from this slant. I loved it as much as the more 'traveled' titles.

[Teri]

yep- clouds rider was what I was going to say also. although the first book was the better of the two, I think. Now I will have to reread them and revisit. Which I always love to do.

Ivrel- my first foray into sci-fi many years ago, on the suggestion of a friend. First read I was sort of, meh. But for some reason I reread it, and I was OMG, how did I not love this book/ story! have read most of her work since then. Ivrel is the best crafted stories, with the rich history and depth, while being very tightly written. Not a word wasted. I envy this talent.

the other series I like is the faded sun series- I absolutely LOVED the reveal at the end, of humans finding out 1, they had allied with the wrong side, on faulty intel, and 2- we mis-read cultures who inherently "face inward." as an anthro student, I found that stunningly well built into the story.

OH- and for standalones/ non-serialised. I love tree of swords and jewels.

don't overlook short stories either- the scapegoat was another anthropological stroke of brilliance. As was, another, whose title I forget, but built in the world of pre-ivrel(?) around tampered time.

the list goes on, and on... thankfully- always reliable quality reading to hand:)

[Stefan, Group Founder + Moderator (Retired)]

Teri... spoiler warnings please...

[Jim]

Janny wrote: "Nobody has mentioned that fantastic little duology - Cloud's Rider and sequel - where the world itself was a major player - I've NEVER seen an alien world/contact with humans done from this slant. I loved it as much as the more 'traveled' titles"

I have Rider At The Gate in my to be read pile. I may have to bump it up in the reading order. Cloud's Rider is the second of the two, right?

[Sandra]

Gah! All this makes me want to read fast! But I'm hooked and enchanted by the Fortress series right now!

[Kathi, Moderator & Book Lover]

Bought the Faded Sun trilogy (compiled in one book) today at a newly discovered used book store in the town I was visiting.

[Helen]

Kathi, I imagine your life consisting of setting out each day to liberate books from around the US.

[Bill]

I find it difficult to pick a favorite Cherryh novel. I have loved them all. I suppose my favorite is the one I'm currently reading.

But if forced to choose, I'd say Downbelow Station, Cyteen and Regenesis

I hope we see more of Justin and Grant. I want to know more about them and how their life develops together.

[Kathi, Moderator & Book Lover]

Helen wrote: "Kathi, I imagine your life consisting of setting out each day to liberate books from around the US."

LOL! Maybe not every day...
But I do need to read more consistently or I'll never get to savor all those liberated books!

[Rob]

A dark horse favorite of mine is Merchanter's Luck, which reminds me of a Heinlein juvenile set in the Union/Alliance universe. Somehow this one doesn't seem quite as serious as the rest of the series and that makes Merchanter's Luck a little more enjoyable.

[Andrea]

Hélène wrote: "I probably re-read the Chanur Series more often than the often than the other ones (Pyanfar is "grumpy-ly" fun!): a favorite among favorites. "

Helene, agreed, Pyanfar is a wonderful character... The Chanur arc catapults one immediately into the action of fascinating aliens and one human's struggle to understand and thrive amongst them - such fun indeed! It's a very close second for me to the Foreigner universe.

[Jim]

Rob wrote: "A dark horse favorite of mine is Merchanter's Luck, which reminds me of a Heinlein juvenile set in the Union/Alliance universe. Somehow this one doesn't seem quite as serious as the rest of the series and that makes Merchanter's Luck a little more enjoyable."

I felt the same way about Finity's End which is another in the same series.

[Red]

I particularly liked the Morgaine Cycle with the books in the series alsoFires of Azeroth, Well of Shiuan,Gate of Ivrel. I can't recall all their names at the moment, but loved the aspect of beings who could "switch" bodies, superimposing their identity/spirit over someone else.

The Faded Sun Trilogy was a special favorite also, Kesrith (The Faded Sun, #1),Shon'jir (The Faded Sun, #2),Kutath. In fact, I was reading them when my son was in utero, and we named him Haven, after one of the planets mentioned in the book.

I have to add Cuckoo's Egg also, as I enjoy when humans are the "aliens", and we see them from another species perspective.

[Sandra]

Red wrote: "I particularly liked the Morgaine Cycle with the books in the series alsoFires of Azeroth, Well of Shiuan,Gate of Ivrel. I can't recall all their names ..."

Those are all on my 'yet to read' pile, but I have them physically in the house!

[Stefan, Group Founder + Moderator (Retired)]

Wow, naming a child after a book - that has to be one of the best compliments an author can get.

I once knew someone who had a tattoo of Morgaine's sword. Life-sized - the hilt was on the hip and it went all the way down so the pointy end was on the ankle. That's some serious commitment.

[Red]

Sandra aka Sleo wrote: "Red wrote: "I particularly liked the Morgaine Cycle with the books in the series alsoFires of Azeroth, Well of Shiuan,Gate of Ivrel. I can't recall all ..."

I loved the bittersweet aspect of the continuing story. I know you'll enjoy them :-)

Ahh that tattoo sounds like a plan. Very unique to be sure!

[Kathi, Moderator & Book Lover]

The Morgaine Cycle sits on my shelf, too, unread as yet. Much to look forward to!

[Teri]

I always hoped there would be another story in the morgaine series... somewhere... the concept was so open ended. and while I could guess that the main sorts of parameters had been explored with the 4 books... as well as the character-growth-journey... but still... even knowing that some things, some stories, are best left, while still in that supreme state ( ever worked something, gone back to it, and made a mess of what had been amazing? yeah;).. but I can't imagine cherryh picking up a pen, unless there was a story worth telling:)

[Hélène]

I think I could read several other Morgaine books. The setting allows it. It could go on and on, to the end of time. But by the same token, I feel it can rest suspended as it is ; there is no unfinished sense to it.