Originally posted by Bosse de NageI'll give him another go on your recommendation. I've only read the Corum and Elric cycles, although I've compiled a list of fantasy books including the Jerry Cornelius series for the prison (haven't read it, but the Eternal Warrior idea is interesting). His Law and Chaos themes bowled me over: the amorality of his mythos is very intriguing. There was a real sense of nihilism in some of it, notably the Balo storyline.
It's always interesting.
Moorcock's style...It depends when in his career you're talking about. From the mid-70s he writes beautifully. "The Condition of Muzak" is wonderful...The Byzantium series is terrific. Every now and then there's a lapse, of course, and it's Wagner on acid...Which reminds me that the Dancers at the End of Time is the best com ...[text shortened]... ou stretch the definition of fantasy a bit, I'd suggest Les Chants de Maldoror.
I think Lovecraft is the superior writer, but it's very difficult to compare the two: to begin with, Lovecraft is properly-speaking a weird tale writer who delved into fantasy, whereas Ashton Smith fuses the two. There's much more humour and morality in Ashton Smith, and he's much better at dialogue (I think even his greatest fans will accept that dialogue was Lovecraft's Achilles Heel - Lovecraft himself certainly knew it, which is why there is so little dialogue in his stories). HPL's stories are more affecting because they're grounded in reality, and he builds atmosphere, mythos and narrative better than virtually anyone. To this day I can't help but read "The Hound" and wonder how anyone can write such a perfect horror story in four or five bare pages; even Ambrose Bierce's "A Diagnosis of Death" doesn't come close.
Originally posted by AmauroteLovecraft's dialogue--the corny monologue of the old man in "Innsmouth"--you're quite right.
I'll give him another go on your recommendation. I've only read the Corum and Elric cycles, although I've compiled a list of fantasy books including the Jerry Cornelius series for the prison (haven't read it, but the Eternal Warrior idea is interesting). His Law and Chaos themes bowled me over: the amorality of his mythos is very intriguing. There was a rea ...[text shortened]... ve bare pages; even Ambrose Bierce's "A Diagnosis of Death" doesn't come close.
A related contemporary writer--Thomas Ligotti. He does equally dire things to the nerves.
Now I'm going to delve into CAS. Cheers.
Originally posted by Bosse de NageI'm quite partial to Raymond E Feist's works.
Lovecraft's dialogue--the corny monologue of the old man in "Innsmouth"--you're quite right.
A related contemporary writer--Thomas Ligotti. He does equally dire things to the nerves.
Now I'm going to delve into CAS. Cheers.
Originally posted by Bosse de Nageoh yes.
Great imagination and satisfying intrigue. I do weary of elves, though.
I was going to put down Terry Goodkind's 'Sword of Truth' series but Kahlan's propensity for crying every 5 pages is very irritating ...
Robin Hobb's Assassin books are quite good.
Quite like George R R Martin's books, too, but they meander a bit ...
almost anything by Jack Vance, inc. The Dragon Masters, and Cugel's Saga.
here are some list of award-winning sci/fi, note especially the Hugo and Nebula awards:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category😕cience_fiction_awards
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hugo_Award
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nebula_Award#Lists_of_Nebula_Award_Winners
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hugo_Award#Hugo_Award_categories
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zenna_Henderson
Zenna Henderson's books:
"Beginning with Ararat (1952), Henderson's People stories appeared in magazines and anthologies, as well as the novelized Pilgrimage: The Book of the People (1961) and The People: No Different Flesh (1966). Other volumes include The People Collection (1991) and Ingathering: The Complete People Stories (1995)."
Originally posted by treetalkavoid ElfQuest comics.
oh yes.
I was going to put down Terry Goodkind's 'Sword of Truth' series but Kahlan's propensity for crying every 5 pages is very irritating ...
Robin Hobb's Assassin books are quite good.
Quite like George R R Martin's books, too, but they meander a bit ...
I think David Gemmell's "Legend" or "Waylander" were some of the most brilliant fantasy books i have read.
Treetalk mentioned Jordans "Wheel of Time" series and George RR Martin's "A Song of Ice and Fire" series.
Both brilliant reads, though the "Wheel" series is dragging out. Eleven books and the rotten author is only half way through the story. Hope he doesnt die on us.
George RR Martin has made a gripping start in his first four books, i do love the way as soon as you get to like a character they are killed off spectacularly.
One old series well worth the effort is the "Star of the Guardians" by Margret Weis (half of Weis and Hickman fron the "Dragonlance Chronicles" fame). If you can find it, well worth the read.
Originally posted by knightwestServant/Daughter/Mistress of the Empire. Excellent series. If I was to recommend Feist's books, I'd recommend that the reader stop after Rage of a Demon King. No real need to bother reading the rest of his Midkemia based books after that.
Apart from Lord of the Rings I really enjoyed Raymond E. Feist's Riftwar Saga, and his collaboration with Janny Wurtz, I can't remember the name. I think his other books set in the riftwar universe are not as strong, and Magician was the best of the original trilogy.
http://www.raymondfeistbooks.com/booklist.htm
Fairy Tale is also a superb read.
I like George R.R. Martin's A Song of Fire and Ice series, but I'm waiting for him to finish the series, before I read any more.
D