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Books damn it! Do we all know how to READ?

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Sitting Duck
Hajime Saitou

Joined: 08 May 2002
Posts: 147
Location: Adelaide SA Australia

Posted: Fri May 24, 2002 1:49 am Post subject:

quote: Originally posted by QueenSaiyan: Actually, although I've read Dragons of Winter Night, I've only just bought the entire Chronicles a few days ago in a BOX (ooh, nice cover art ^_^). Why on earth was Dragons of Summer Flame not included in the box? Dragons of Summer Flame isn't included in the set because it isn't actually part of the Chronicles Storyline. Its actually all about Tas, Usha (supposedly Raistlin's Daughter from Tales: Love and War), Palin Majere (Caramon's youngest boy) and Steel Brightblade (son of Kitiara and Sturm). Although Raistlin makes a appearance to tell everyone whats going on, bereft of any form of magic though.

brw03
Doraemon

Joined: 23 May 2002
Posts: 29

Posted: Fri May 24, 2002 3:20 pm Post subject:

"Wheel of time Wheel of time" chants continuously eagaly awaiting wot book 10 and if you havent read it do so quickly

Shinannth
Shiki Tohno

Joined: 03 Dec 2000
Posts: 5392
Location: NSW

Posted: Fri May 24, 2002 3:55 pm Post subject:

quote: Originally posted by brw03: "Wheel of time Wheel of time" chants continuously eagaly awaiting wot book 10 and if you havent read it do so quickly Interesting... -.o Another UOW person... checks banshee Welcome to the boards 'Brad'. Can't stand Robert Jordon's WOT series myself.. ------------------ In memory of I have it! CARDCAPTOR SAKURA ON DVD! WAI!, 31.8.2001 - 5.12.2001 "No free toasters!?!? I'm leaving." In Shinannth.cpp: Confused by earlier errors, bailing out.

QueenSaiyan
Batou

Joined: 01 Dec 2000
Posts: 9677
Location: ACT

Posted: Fri May 24, 2002 6:30 pm Post subject:

Evidence from an undercover interview proves that the only reason the accused Shinannth didn't like Robert Jordan's WoT series was because she started reading, and never finished, the 8th book, which was considered by most to be a filler book. The jury suggests that Shinannth start from Book 1 before she makes any hasty and ill-informed judgements on such an addictive series of novels.

Shinannth
Shiki Tohno

Joined: 03 Dec 2000
Posts: 5392
Location: NSW

Posted: Fri May 24, 2002 6:37 pm Post subject:

quote: Originally posted by QueenSaiyan: Evidence from an undercover interview proves that the only reason the accused Shinannth didn't like Robert Jordan's WoT series was because she started reading, and never finished, the 8th book, which was considered by most to be a filler book. The jury suggests that Shinannth start from Book 1 before she makes any hasty and ill-informed judgements on such an addictive series of novels. Nyahahahahahahaha. ------------------ In memory of I have it! CARDCAPTOR SAKURA ON DVD! WAI!, 31.8.2001 - 5.12.2001 "No free toasters!?!? I'm leaving." In Shinannth.cpp: Confused by earlier errors, bailing out.

Tulkas
Lin Minmay

Joined: 30 Dec 2001
Posts: 225
Location: Australia

Posted: Sat May 25, 2002 9:29 am Post subject:

Terry Pratchett. Some of his books are genius, some are not. But the ones that are genius are genius. Very clever plots. I suggest Reaper Man and Hogfather. Brilliant, brilliant... ------------------ Nail it to the counter, Lord Ferguson, and damn the cheesemongers! -The Bursar

merric
Shinji Ikari

Joined: 12 Jan 2001
Posts: 3444
Location: Brisbane

Posted: Sat May 25, 2002 12:00 pm Post subject:

quote: Originally posted by QueenSaiyan: The jury suggests that Shinannth start from Book 1 before she makes any hasty and ill-informed judgements on such an addictive series of novels. Isn't that series about 8000 pages long in total or something?

AdeptaCheese
Washu Hakubi

Joined: 30 Dec 2001
Posts: 360
Location: Canberra

Posted: Sat May 25, 2002 7:37 pm Post subject:

i can't believe nobody has mentioned the almighty DOUGLAS ADAMS! although somebody probably did and i didnt see it. The Hitchhikers Guide To The Galaxy is Pure Gold. too bad he died. i hate it when funny people die. its sadder than normal. like Chuck Jones. we oughta make a shrine in our closets or something for those two... pure gold.. [edit: Christ i suck at writing code..] [This message has been edited by AdeptaCheese (edited 25 May 2002).]

Argowal
Shiina Tamai

Joined: 08 Jan 2002
Posts: 4514
Location: Western Australia

Posted: Sun May 26, 2002 3:27 am Post subject:

I love the Wheel of time series too . Actually I love lots of series' (I have over 700 novels in my house now) ------------------ ------------------------- I've really got to think of a signature one of these days. scratches head

Argowal
Shiina Tamai

Joined: 08 Jan 2002
Posts: 4514
Location: Western Australia

Posted: Sun May 26, 2002 3:33 am Post subject:

quote: Originally posted by merric: Isn't that series about 8000 pages long in total or something? That's probably about right (when you think Wheel of Time, think phone book thickness), but then again he hasn't finished it yet and unless he sticks in a real lame ending I'm tipping 2-4 more books to finish it off (but he releases them so slowly by the time the next one comes out you have forgotten what went on in the others and have to spend another week (depending on your reading speed) re-reading them - not that I'm too worried about that, I like them more each time I read them) ------------------ ------------------------- I've really got to think of a signature one of these days. scratches head [This message has been edited by Argowal (edited 26 May 2002).]

Kermi v3.1 for Workgroups
Shaolin Shugogetten

Joined: 20 Jan 2001
Posts: 4073
Location: The end of the western spiral arm of the galaxy

Posted: Sun May 26, 2002 4:04 am Post subject:

quote: Originally posted by AdeptaCheese: i can't believe nobody has mentioned the almighty DOUGLAS ADAMS! although somebody probably did and i didnt see it. Maybe if you read my first post.. ------------------ Been beat up, been broken down. No way but up when you're face down on the ground. Running in last place, if any place at all, but there is hope for this Underdog.

TRC7
Shinobu Nagumo

Joined: 28 Dec 2000
Posts: 480
Location: Sydney

Posted: Sun May 26, 2002 1:48 pm Post subject:

I've always loved a good novel and most of the English books we get at school I enjoy, but school books interupt my reading of better books. In my early and pre-teenage years (I'm 17 now btw) I've enjoyed such novels from Gary Paulsen. He wrote some great adventures. Then the Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings kept me busy amongst others, like Eye of the Tiger by Wilbur Smith. BUT, the major turning point in my fiction experiences has been from the legendary author James Clavell. Ever heard of Shogun, Taipan, Gaijin, Noble House? I'm reading Gaijin at the moment and thoroughly enjoying it. I would recommend these novels to anyone with an interest in Asian culture and Feudal Japan. This is the first time I have been in this thread, so I haven't read most of the replies. I don't know if anyone has mentioned these yet.

merric
Shinji Ikari

Joined: 12 Jan 2001
Posts: 3444
Location: Brisbane

Posted: Sun May 26, 2002 5:36 pm Post subject:

quote: Originally posted by AdeptaCheese: i can't believe nobody has mentioned the almighty [b]DOUGLAS ADAMS! [/B] Actually, five different people have mentioned him.

JESTER
Ruri Hoshino

Joined: 08 Feb 2002
Posts: 11671
Location: Sydney Suzuki GSX1250FA Rider

Posted: Mon May 27, 2002 9:49 pm Post subject:

quote: Originally posted by QueenSaiyan: The jury suggests that Shinannth start from Book 1 before she makes any hasty and ill-informed judgements on such an addictive series of novels. You just hope he lives long enough to finish the series. Afterall he is dying of terminal cancer and his publishers are f***ing scared that he'll cark it before its finished. I personally can't handle a book series that has 800 pages+ for over 8 books. Maybe Tad Williams - Memory, Sorrow and Thorn with 3200 pages for 4 books but not 8000 pages. ------------------ The day I can't appreciate being eight years old will be the saddest one for me. I bow before you, my performance at an end

shadescream
Hajime Saitou

Joined: 04 Jan 2002
Posts: 153
Location: Busselton, Western Australia, Australia

Posted: Mon May 27, 2002 11:08 pm Post subject:

i like any fantisy novel(300+ pages) if there interesting. ------------------ you hurt me with your words, but you just can keep me down!

Shinannth
Shiki Tohno

Joined: 03 Dec 2000
Posts: 5392
Location: NSW

Posted: Tue May 28, 2002 12:13 am Post subject:

quote: Originally posted by JESTER: You just hope he lives long enough to finish the series. Afterall he is dying of terminal cancer and his publishers are f**ing scared that he'll cark it before its finished. I personally can't handle a book series that has 800 pages+ for over 8 books. Maybe Tad Williams - Memory, Sorrow and Thorn with 3200 pages for 4 books but not 8000 pages. What's the bet that if he does, his publishers will get a ghostwriter to finish the series in his place, and his death won't be publicised until the series is finished, so as not to affect sales of the final books.. or I might just be being completely cyncial about this. shrugs* ------------------ In memory of I have it! CARDCAPTOR SAKURA ON DVD! WAI!, 31.8.2001 - 5.12.2001 "No free toasters!?!? I'm leaving." In Shinannth.cpp: Confused by earlier errors, bailing out.

TRC7
Shinobu Nagumo

Joined: 28 Dec 2000
Posts: 480
Location: Sydney

Posted: Tue May 28, 2002 5:35 pm Post subject:

quote: Originally posted by Shinannth: ......ghostwriter...... Ghostwriter? Ghostwriter! WAAAAIII! Do you remember that crap show? No? Never mind.

mib
Ayeka Masaki Jurai

Joined: 04 Nov 2001
Posts: 6463

Posted: Tue May 28, 2002 6:49 pm Post subject:

Quote:

Shinannth: if he [dies], his publishers will get a ghostwriter to finish the series in his place

Ooh, he better hurry and start his own religion then!

- mib

StorminNorman
Gillard-chan

Joined: 15 Aug 2001
Posts: 22106
Location: Tolmekia

Posted: Tue May 28, 2002 8:27 pm Post subject:

quote: Originally posted by mib: Ooh, he better hurry and start his own religion then! ROFL. He should probably have a bet with another fantasy author (David Eddings perhaps) as to who of them can write a book to start a religion... Let's just hope that his books don't get turned into propagandistic crap like 'Battlefield Earth'. I will never watch another John Travolta movie again. ------------------ life is a canvas and the paint is hope and promise the world is ours no one can ever take it from us.

JESTER
Ruri Hoshino

Joined: 08 Feb 2002
Posts: 11671
Location: Sydney Suzuki GSX1250FA Rider

Posted: Tue May 28, 2002 9:15 pm Post subject:

quote: Originally posted by Shinannth: What's the bet that if he does, his publishers will get a ghostwriter to finish the series in his place, and his death won't be publicised until the series is finished, so as not to affect sales of the final books.. or I might just be being completely cyncial about this. shrugs It won't suprise me really. Afterall it happened with Virginia Andrews. She died but her publishers kept doing her books but as VC Andrews. I think it's her anyway. And not many realise it except the bookstores. I'm not a fan of hers though. A friend of mine is a book store owner and she told me. SN : I don't like John Travolta either and I also tend to stay away from his movies, even Grease but he has done a couple good ones though. ------------------ The day I can't appreciate being eight years old will be the saddest one for me. I bow before you, my performance at an end

Kermi v3.1 for Workgroups
Shaolin Shugogetten

Joined: 20 Jan 2001
Posts: 4073
Location: The end of the western spiral arm of the galaxy

Posted: Tue May 28, 2002 9:17 pm Post subject:

Travolta was great in Pulp Fiction, Face/Off and Swordfish. I didn't watch Battlefield Earth because I heard it sucked. ------------------ Been beat up, been broken down. No way but up when you're face down on the ground. Running in last place, if any place at all, but there is hope for this Underdog.

GreyWolfe
BT

Joined: 27 Nov 2001
Posts: 1424
Location: sydney, nsw, australia

Posted: Tue May 28, 2002 9:29 pm Post subject:

To tell the truth, I read entirely too much I read pretty much anything fantasy: Feist, Eddings, McCaffery, Herbert, ect ect. Also I'm big on military fiction from Tom Clancy and Dale Brown. SciFi is big on my list as well. Atm Im raving about Janny Wurts, her latest series being extremely good. Also the Farseer books by Robin Hobb are excellent. I've got way to many books to mention...lets just say I just went out and bought a new bookshelf and it didnt even make a dent into the piles on the floor P.S. The movie of Battlefield Earth was the biggest pile of crap I've ever scene and it absolutely butchered what is one of the best science fiction books you'll read. ------------------ Noir, The word comes from ancient past, a name of destiny. Two maidens who reign over death. The warm black hands... protect the peace of newly borns.

mib
Ayeka Masaki Jurai

Joined: 04 Nov 2001
Posts: 6463

Posted: Wed May 29, 2002 1:56 pm Post subject:

Quote:

GreyWolfe: Battlefield Earth... is one of the best science fiction books you'll read.

Bwahahahahahaahahahahahaha! Good one.

- mib

Psyprass
Eikichi Onizuka

Joined: 02 Aug 2001
Posts: 3086
Location: Perth, WA

Posted: Wed May 29, 2002 2:11 pm Post subject:

Battlefield Earth was a terrible movie. No plot, rather boorish, and bad acting. The ending was fairly amusing, but that was the only good thing about it. ------------------ Give a rumor 24hrs start and you'll never overtake it.

Shinannth
Shiki Tohno

Joined: 03 Dec 2000
Posts: 5392
Location: NSW

Posted: Wed May 29, 2002 2:34 pm Post subject:

quote: Originally posted by mib: Shinannth: if he [dies], his publishers will get a ghostwriter to finish the series in his place Ooh, he better hurry and start his own religion then! - mib I think some of my mother's cousins are actually Scientologists... strange people. Is this L. Ron Hubbard guy dead or is he still writing sci-fi-religious propaganda? (I haven't read any of his work myself, nor would I want to) And it wasn't a typo when I said 'does' mib. ------------------ In memory of I have it! CARDCAPTOR SAKURA ON DVD! WAI!, 31.8.2001 - 5.12.2001 "No free toasters!?!? I'm leaving." In Shinannth.cpp: Confused by earlier errors, bailing out.

mib
Ayeka Masaki Jurai

Joined: 04 Nov 2001
Posts: 6463

Posted: Wed May 29, 2002 7:26 pm Post subject:

Quote:

Shinannth: I think some of my mother's cousins are actually Scientologists... strange people.

Not just strange people, scary people. I'm serious, do not have anything to do with them.

xenu.net has more information on Scientology, and it is seriously bad news. Also from the Cult Information Center, dos and don'ts: http://www.cultinformation.org.uk/faq.html#do

Plus, they believe you are full of dead space aliens.

Quote:

Is this L. Ron Hubbard guy dead or is he still writing sci-fi-religious propaganda?

No. He's been officially dead since 1986, and most likely actually dead since the late 70s or early 80s.

Quote:

And it wasn't a typo when I said 'does' mib.

I know, if it had been I would have left it in, or used (sic) after if it quoting it inline. I just replaced the word to make my quote make sense out of context and retain its the original meaning.

- mib

mib
Ayeka Masaki Jurai

Joined: 04 Nov 2001
Posts: 6463

Posted: Wed May 29, 2002 7:33 pm Post subject:

In retrospect I should have used "if he does [die], his..." Oh well, that's why I'm a computer geek not an editor. - mib Edit: typo [This message has been edited by mib (edited 29 May 2002).]

merric
Shinji Ikari

Joined: 12 Jan 2001
Posts: 3444
Location: Brisbane

Posted: Wed May 29, 2002 9:12 pm Post subject:

quote: Originally posted by mib: Not just strange people, scary people. I'm serious, do not have anything to do with them. - mib Y'know, if they saw that post, they'd probably sue you. No kidding.

JESTER
Ruri Hoshino

Joined: 08 Feb 2002
Posts: 11671
Location: Sydney Suzuki GSX1250FA Rider

Posted: Wed May 29, 2002 9:48 pm Post subject:

I was thinking of getting the Battlefield Earth series but a friend of mine told not to. Considering the fact that he read the entire series then set the lot on fire definitly helped me decide not to read them. It was then then I heard about scientology and I've curses Hubbard ever since. ------------------ The day I can't appreciate being eight years old will be the saddest one for me. I bow before you, my performance at an end

Shinannth
Shiki Tohno

Joined: 03 Dec 2000
Posts: 5392
Location: NSW

Posted: Wed May 29, 2002 10:11 pm Post subject:

quote: Originally posted by mib: Not just strange people, scary people. I'm serious, do not have anything to do with them. They're probably considered normal in society compared to the rest of my family though. But don't worry, I avoid religion of all types, and I avoid my non-immediate family members as well, so our paths should never cross. Whee! Only 11 more days until I'm free of uni, so I can read books of the non-textbook variety once more! ------------------ In memory of I have it! CARDCAPTOR SAKURA ON DVD! WAI!, 31.8.2001 - 5.12.2001 "No free toasters!?!? I'm leaving." In Shinannth.cpp: Confused by earlier errors, bailing out.

StorminNorman
Gillard-chan

Joined: 15 Aug 2001
Posts: 22106
Location: Tolmekia

Posted: Thu May 30, 2002 9:30 am Post subject:

I would recommend against buying anything by L. Ron Hubbard, as your money will go to support a dangerous cult. Interestingly, said cult was apparently started (and this is what mib and I were on about before) as a bet between Hubbard and Robert Heinlein. They made a bet that they could start a religion based on one of their books. Hubbard wrote 'Dianetics' while Heinlein wrote 'Stranger In A Strange Land'. Many believe that Heinlein won the bet. (and now I've said all this, they'll be hunting me down and killing me... but meh...) ------------------ life is a canvas and the paint is hope and promise the world is ours no one can ever take it from us.

Psyprass
Eikichi Onizuka

Joined: 02 Aug 2001
Posts: 3086
Location: Perth, WA

Posted: Thu May 30, 2002 10:27 am Post subject:

Cult?0_o Scary. ------------------ Give a rumor 24hrs start and you'll never overtake it.

Kermi v3.1 for Workgroups
Shaolin Shugogetten

Joined: 20 Jan 2001
Posts: 4073
Location: The end of the western spiral arm of the galaxy

Posted: Thu May 30, 2002 11:57 am Post subject:

IF Stranger in a Strange Land was a ploy to get peole to believe in it religiously, then Heinlen wins: Fatality. That book is a masterpiece. ------------------ Been beat up, been broken down. No way but up when you're face down on the ground. Running in last place, if any place at all, but there is hope for this Underdog.

Peter Parker
Doraemon

Joined: 30 May 2002
Posts: 10
Location: New York, NY,USA

Posted: Thu May 30, 2002 12:02 pm Post subject:

Has anyone read the Harry Potter books? they are pure genius!Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha! actually I really enjoyed them.

Argowal
Shiina Tamai

Joined: 08 Jan 2002
Posts: 4514
Location: Western Australia

Posted: Thu May 30, 2002 5:20 pm Post subject:

I loved Battlefield Earth and the Mission Earth series by Hubbard and I think they are excellent books even if they do support weirdos (besides I think these particular weirdos probably rely on all those movie stars for most of their capital and recruiting anyway ). (I didn't like the movie for Battlefield Earth though, but that was mainly because to fit in all the important things it would have had to been like the length of 10 movies so too much was left out for it to work properly [might have made a good TV series or two though]) I like the books that I have read by Heinlen too( I think he wrote Citizen of the Galaxy, Tunnel in the Sky and Have Spacesuit Will Travel [or something like that, can't be bothered looking at my book shelves at the moment] all of which were brilliant plus a few others which I can't remember the names of) ------------------ ------------------------- I've really got to think of a signature one of these days. scratches head [This message has been edited by Argowal (edited 30 May 2002).]

GreyWolfe
BT

Joined: 27 Nov 2001
Posts: 1424
Location: sydney, nsw, australia

Posted: Fri May 31, 2002 12:38 am Post subject:

quote: Originally posted by mib: Bwahahahahahaahahahahahaha! Good one. - mib Have you even read it? Or are you judging it from the movie? quote: Originally posted by JESTER: I was thinking of getting the Battlefield Earth series but a friend of mine told not to. Considering the fact that he read the entire series then set the lot on fire definitly helped me decide not to read them. It was then then I heard about scientology and I've curses Hubbard ever since. I'm thinking you meant the Mission: Earth series? Battlefield Earth was a single novel (mind you, one of near on half a million words) and since its sold in excess of 1.5 million copies, I think its safe to say its a fairly popular book. ------------------ Noir, The word comes from ancient past, a name of destiny. Two maidens who reign over death. The warm black hands... protect the peace of newly borns. [This message has been edited by GreyWolfe (edited 31 May 2002).]

mib
Ayeka Masaki Jurai

Joined: 04 Nov 2001
Posts: 6463

Posted: Fri May 31, 2002 10:09 am Post subject:

Quote:

Have you even read it? Or are you judging it from the movie?

I've read the first 200 pages or so, maybe 300. Couldn't finish it; worst pile of sci-fi tripe I've ever read. I haven't seen the movie -- wouldn't waste my time on something so bad even if I didn't despise all scientologists and avoid their movies on general principle.

- mib

------------------
It is pitch black. You are likely to be eaten by a grue.

Psyprass
Eikichi Onizuka

Joined: 02 Aug 2001
Posts: 3086
Location: Perth, WA

Posted: Fri May 31, 2002 10:25 am Post subject:

I'd advise not to watch the movie. If the book is bad, you'd hate it. ------------------ Give a rumor 24hrs start and you'll never overtake it.

Peter Parker
Doraemon

Joined: 30 May 2002
Posts: 10
Location: New York, NY,USA

Posted: Fri May 31, 2002 1:55 pm Post subject:

has anyone noticed how in the battle field earth movie every shot if filmed on a jaunty angle???

JESTER
Ruri Hoshino

Joined: 08 Feb 2002
Posts: 11671
Location: Sydney Suzuki GSX1250FA Rider

Posted: Fri May 31, 2002 10:13 pm Post subject:

quote: Originally posted by GreyWolfe: I'm thinking you meant the Mission: Earth series? Battlefield Earth was a single novel (mind you, one of near on half a million words) and since its sold in excess of 1.5 million copies, I think its safe to say its a fairly popular book. Maybe. Either way, since I hate scientology and any religeon or cult, I won't go near it. The size of the books alone turned me off. I did have a look in one but found it crap. I just realised what would have to be one of the worst movies ever adapted froma book. That would have to be THE POSTMAN by David Brin. The book was excellent but Kevin Costner must've been on some weird stuff for the crap that was created. Anyone who has read the book then watched the movie will know what I mean. AVOID this movie at all costs. Read the book instead. ------------------ The day I can't appreciate being eight years old will be the saddest one for me. I bow before you, my performance at an end

Argowal
Shiina Tamai

Joined: 08 Jan 2002
Posts: 4514
Location: Western Australia

Posted: Fri May 31, 2002 10:47 pm Post subject:

quote:
Originally posted by JESTER:
Maybe. Either way, since I hate scientology and any religeon or cult, I won't go near it.

Even though the books were written by the founder of Scientology (which I also think is a pretty stupid cult/religion) and possibly all of the profits may go to them (though as I said, I hardly think they really need the profits anyway, considering thier members

), The books themselves really have about as much to do with scientology as the Lord of the Rings has to do with ancient Druidic religions.

Quote:

The size of the books alone turned me off. I did have a look in one but found it crap.

If you get turned of by the size of books I would reccommend you stay away from the previously mentioned Wheel of Time series (though if the size of books put you off you are going to miss out on a hell of a lot of good stories). Also, Battlefield Earth doesn't start to get good until the humans start to fight back and Mission Earth does not start that well because book one is almost entirely the set up to the story (the series is 10 books after all). It starts to get good from there but you really need to read them all to enjoy it. Some of the books are better than others obviously, just like some eps of TV shows are better than others, but you really need to take it all in to get whats going on.

quote:
I just realised what would have to be one of the worst movies ever adapted froma book. That would have to be THE POSTMAN by David Brin. The book was excellent but Kevin Costner must've been on some weird stuff for the crap that was created. Anyone who has read the book then watched the movie will know what I mean. AVOID this movie at all costs.

I agree with this one totally, this was one of the longest most boring movies I have ever seen.

Just fixing up those quote tags to make it easier for us to read.

- Shin
------------------
-------------------------

I've really got to think of a signature one of these days.
*scratches head*

[This message has been edited by Argowal (edited 31 May 2002).]

[This message has been edited by Shinannth (edited 31 May 2002).]

StorminNorman
Gillard-chan

Joined: 15 Aug 2001
Posts: 22106
Location: Tolmekia

Posted: Fri May 31, 2002 11:35 pm Post subject:

I can't recall if anyone's mentioned it, but I must recommend 'Perdido Street Station' by China Mieville. I read this book when it was first released, and since then it seems to have developed a pretty decent following. It's best described as a Steampunk novel, a fantasy setting, but with a city filled with Victorian-era technology (sort of like 'The Difference Engine'). Anyway, it's a gripping read, with elements of fantasy, SF and some really gruesome horror scenes (the brothel of mutants is particularly disturbing. It has some amazing characters too: a giant dimensionally-transient spider with a scissor fetish, a race of people where the men are basically crawling bugs, and the women are humans with the head of a bug. Strange stuff, but so incredibly different that it will stay with you. I must warn that it does not have a very happy ending though. That said, it's satisfying, but you really wish that it hadn't happened. Apparently Mieville is working on a follow-up set in the same universe. ------------------ life is a canvas and the paint is hope and promise the world is ours no one can ever take it from us.

GreyWolfe
BT

Joined: 27 Nov 2001
Posts: 1424
Location: sydney, nsw, australia

Posted: Fri May 31, 2002 11:51 pm Post subject:

Well as a fan of large novels, I can see why you may be turned off by Battlefield Earth. Then again, I read War and Peace cuz I was bored Since this is going down the 'I like this and hate that, woe betide anyone who feels otherwise' I'll simply say that I happen to like L Ron Hubbard's works, even if I dont agree with Scientology. Other people probably hate him. Thats cool, since its your view and this is a democratic country. Just dont trash others because they happen to disagree with your point of view. ------------------ Noir, The word comes from ancient past, a name of destiny. Two maidens who reign over death. The warm black hands... protect the peace of newly borns.

Sitting Duck
Hajime Saitou

Joined: 08 May 2002
Posts: 147
Location: Adelaide SA Australia

Posted: Sat Jun 01, 2002 12:56 am Post subject:

On Ron L (or L Ron, I've seen both) Hubbard's sci-fi, they were written before he came up with the religion. The money he made off of his writing was how he funded his "research" into Scientology, however some things in the novels do seem to fit with his religion. In Battlefield Earth the evil aliens are the Psylochs, and the scientologists believe that psychologists are bad people... Wow my Year 10 Religion class actually came in for some use. ------------------ Till All Are One! "Even the smallest person can change the course of the future." "Anyway, you need people of intelligence on this sort of mission . . . quest . . . thingy."

NocurnaL ButterFly
Shinobu Nagumo

Joined: 15 May 2002
Posts: 418
Location: sydney NSW australia

Posted: Sat Jun 01, 2002 10:58 am Post subject:

scienctology is utterly stupid. all it does it make the person paying (a lot of money) think they are the centre of the universe. some people can feel that with out all the money but ANY WAY! Stephen King better finish his damn Dark Tower series before he konks out! we had a scare there wen he got run over with a panel van...but that was ages ago....

mib
Ayeka Masaki Jurai

Joined: 04 Nov 2001
Posts: 6463

Posted: Sat Jun 01, 2002 12:17 pm Post subject:

Sitting Duck, I'm afraid your year 10 religion class lied to you. Firstly, it's L. Ron Hubbard -- his full name was Lafayette Ronald Hubbard. Secondly, here is a list of his books at the Library of Congress (USA). Scientology was founded in 1950 (notice the publication date of "Dianetics", the seminal scientology text). Now look at the dates of the other books he's written: only three (Final Blackout, Kingslayer and Slaves of Sleep) predate scientology. Battlefield Earth was published in 1982, more than 30 years later. For further reading, here is a copy of the Anderson Report: http://www-2.cs.cmu.edu/~dst/Library/Shelf/anderson/ It was an inquiry into scientology by the Victorian government in 1965 which caused scientology to be banned in Victoria until they bought their way back in in the early 1980s. Notice the sections on hostility to medical profession, dangers to mental health, dangers of coercion moral laxity and family discord. Scientology is bad news. - mib ------------------ It is pitch black. You are likely to be eaten by a grue.

Grand Master 67
Tina Foster

Joined: 29 Apr 2001
Posts: 3856

Posted: Sat Jun 01, 2002 3:16 pm Post subject:

ARggh...my internet got suspended for 2 weeks and I got slapped a 80 reconnection fee >< ah well...at least my computer ain't in the shop (3 days later my hd fails :mad anyway dropped by a friends house on the way back from town (damm hicks ) and picked up two awesome anime shirts which took me by suprise... (just thought I'd mention this without opening another thread) Damm...someone already mentioned my fav series of novels...kicks comp at home Yep I too was hooked on the Narnia Saga, it rocks man...the stuff is addictive.. hmmm....I did start losing interest in reading novels (hooked on fics on the net) awhile during my eariler teens.... Theres probably two books I would be hell bent on getting...the book that was based on the final fantasy 7 game and the book that was used for the shenmue game (heard yu suzuki the creator of the series wrote it, also he has many other creative talents ) Actually I'm not entirely sure there are even books based on these games...but I got the hint of them being based around books from somewhere...(shrug) ah well ------------------ HAHAHAH...TENSAI BAKUHATSU!!

Argowal
Shiina Tamai

Joined: 08 Jan 2002
Posts: 4514
Location: Western Australia

Posted: Sat Jun 01, 2002 5:24 pm Post subject:

quote: Originally posted by StorminNorman: I can't recall if anyone's mentioned it, but I must recommend 'Perdido Street Station' by China Mieville...... .....Apparently Mieville is working on a follow-up set in the same universe. I liked this book too. Took a while to get into though and I agree it had its disturbing moments. I'm happy to hear about the follow up. I'll definatley be buying it when it comes out. ------------------ ------------------------- I've really got to think of a signature one of these days. scratches head

Argowal
Shiina Tamai

Joined: 08 Jan 2002
Posts: 4514
Location: Western Australia

Posted: Sat Jun 01, 2002 5:47 pm Post subject:

Just thought of an excellent series (not sure if anyone has mentioned it). Has anyone else read the Nights Dawn trilogy by Peter F Hamilton. (Book 1 The Reality Dysfunction, Book 2 The Neutronium Alchemist and Book 3 The Naked God - about 1200+ pages each) This was an brilliant series though it takes about 600 or 700 pages to get into. I'd very highly recommend it to anyone who likes SF. Lots of spaceships, some devil worshippers (scary dudes who you would not want to meet late at night in a dark alley), seemingly magical powers, alien races and even a bit of romance. One of the few books I have read that wraps it all up in the last 20 or 30 pages and still has a very satisfying ending (which of course leaves all those other pages for the main story ). ------------------ ------------------------- I've really got to think of a signature one of these days. scratches head

StorminNorman
Gillard-chan

Joined: 15 Aug 2001
Posts: 22106
Location: Tolmekia

Posted: Sat Jun 01, 2002 5:49 pm Post subject:

quote: Originally posted by Argowal: Has anyone else read the Nights Dawn trilogy by Peter F Hamilton. (Book 1 The Reality Dysfunction, Book 2 The Neutronium Alchemist and Book 3 The Naked God - about 1200+ pages each) I'm actually working my way through 'The Reality Dysfunction' right now. It's really good so far (I love the Edenists 'affinity'), great hardcore space opera science fiction. Of course, I'm only about 150 pages in, so I've got quite a way to go yet... ------------------ life is a canvas and the paint is hope and promise the world is ours no one can ever take it from us.

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