What are you reading? - 2019, and beyond.

[kent]

I will indeed have another stab at A Voyage to Arcturus and have the Ballantine edition on the shelf for that purpose.

You choose Poseidonis of CA Smith's epochs. What distinguishes it for you as a world to game in?

[crusssdaddy]

Jul 26, 2013 8:50:20 GMT -6 kent said:

I read last night Robert Aickman's short story Ringing the Changes from his Painted Devils anthology. A couple visit a strange largely empty seaside town and stay the night though they shouldn't. Aickman writes with great subtlety, his effects are light but lasting.

Is Aickman Ligotti-esque? I read one of Ligotti's collections awhile ago and was a little disappointed, I think he's guilty of pressing the repeat button on too many of his stories.

[kent]

I haven't read enough of Ligotti to say positively because the one anthology I want is far too expensive on the 2nd hand market. However, Aickman is writing at a level it isn't helpful to suggest that he is 'like' another writer. If you are just reading for mood, I wouldn't bother.

[geoffrey]

Jul 27, 2013 5:15:49 GMT -6 kent said:

I will indeed have another stab at A Voyage to Arcturus and have the Ballantine edition on the shelf for that purpose.

You choose Poseidonis of CA Smith's epochs. What distinguishes it for you as a world to game in?

I do not remember if you ever mentioned to me that you had picked-up A Voyage to Arcturus. How far in did you get before you laid it aside?

As for Poseidonis, Atlantis has long enchanted my imagination: a sort of idealized Greek civilization with strains of Mesoamerican and South American civilization, blended into an elegant whole. Add to that the euphonious names in CAS's Poseidonis, his bewitching prose, his marmoreal visions... It is as though the world of Troy and Minoan Crete and the Argonautica were breathed through the pulps.

Now if you had asked which literary setting I'd like to DM, I would have said Clark Ashton Smith's Hyperborea. It's all about Mount Voormithadreth and Abhoth and the oozy things in that bronze age Pleistocene.

[geoffrey]

Thomas Ligotti is my favorite living author of fiction (though that's not saying much). Unfortunately, his stories are very uneven in quality. Some have all the disquieting uncertainty of nightmare, while others are pedestrian. Here are his stories that I like:

from Songs of a Dead Dreamer:
“Les Fleurs”
“Alice’s Last Adventure”
“Dream of a Manikin”
“The Chymist”
“Drink to Me Only with Labyrinthine Eyes”
“Eye of the Lynx”
“The Troubles of Dr. Thoss”
“Masquerade of a Dead Sword”
“Dr. Voke and Mr. Veech”
“Dr. Locrian’s Asylum”
“The Sect of the Idiot”
“The Greater Festival of Masks”
“The Music of the Moon”
“The Journal of J. P. Drapeau”
“Vastarien”

from Grimscribe:
“The Last Feast of Harlequin”
“The Spectacles in the Drawer”
“Flowers of the Abyss”
“Nethescurial”
“The Dreaming in Nortown”
“The Mystics of Muelenburg”
“In the Shadow of Another World”
“The Cocoons”
“The Night School”
“The Glamour”
“The Library of Byzantium”
“Miss Plarr”
“The Shadow at the Bottom of the World”

from Noctuary:
“The Medusa”
“The Prodigy of Dreams”
“Mrs. Rinaldi’s Angel”
“The Tsalal”
“Mad Night of Atonement”
“The Strange Design of Master Rignolo”
“The Voice in the Bones”
the prose-poems in NOTEBOOK OF THE NIGHT

from Teatro Grottesco:
“Sideshow, and Other Stories”
“The Clown Puppet”
“The Red Tower”
“In a Foreign Town, in a Foreign Land”
“Teatro Grottesco”
“Gas Station Carnivals”
“The Bungalow House”
“Severini”

His story that most haunts me is "Dream of a Manikin". I strongly dislike his stories of workplace horror, particularly My Work Is Not Yet Done. I can't believe that the writer of all those delicate stories wrote that dull, plodding thing. It's funny that S. T. Joshi really likes it.

Here is Matt Cardin's fascinating article, "The Masters' Eyes Shining with Secrets: H. P. Lovecraft and His Influence on Thomas Ligotti": www.ligotti.net/showthread.php?t=218 I found the article revelational regarding Lovecraft.

[crusssdaddy]

I'm right there with you on some of those Teatro Grottesco ones, particularly Red Tower and Foreign Town. I've marked this page to follow up on the other collections.

Desert Island Book: The Gods of Pegana
World I Would Like To Play In: Viriconium
Currently (Re)Reading: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader

[crusssdaddy]

And because TGoP is compact, Time and the Gods and The Sword of Welleran are coming along also.

[kent]

Jul 27, 2013 20:21:08 GMT -6 geoffrey said:

I do not remember if you ever mentioned to me that you had picked-up A Voyage to Arcturus. How far in did you get before you laid it aside?

I don't remember exactly. Far enough not to rule it out and to realise he can write like an adult. I have since read that he deals with themes of metamorphosis which I find one of the more intriguing conceits in fantasy literature, Ovid etc, and a facet of one my core magic user classes.

Jul 27, 2013 20:52:38 GMT -6 crusssdaddy said:

And because TGoP is compact, Time and the Gods and The Sword of Welleran are coming along also.

In that case you don't get an edition with the Sidney Sime illustrations.

[derv]

Desert island book: Tales of the Dying Earth by Jack Vance

====

Havn't had time to crack the book yet, but my current "to read" list contains the Space Trilogy of C. S. Lewis. The first book is, Out of the Silent Planet. It is followed by, Perelandra and That Hideous Strength. Considering all the exposure Narnia has recieved, I've never heard boo about this series. Either that's because The Chronicles of Narnia has overshadowed them or they are not a very good read. We shall see.

[kent]

I haven't read any CS Lewis from start to finish but it was interesting to read about their relationship through the Tolkien Letters. It seems Lewis was a more generous, encouraging person than Tolkien when it came to writing.

[geoffrey]

Jul 28, 2013 7:27:13 GMT -6 derv said:

Havn't had time to crack the book yet, but my current "to read" list contains the Space Trilogy of C. S. Lewis. The first book is, Out of the Silent Planet. It is followed by, Perelandra and That Hideous Strength. Considering all the exposure Narnia has recieved, I've never heard boo about this series. Either that's because The Chronicles of Narnia has overshadowed them or they are not a very good read. We shall see.

Out of the Silent Planet is good, but not great. Perelandra is an achingly beautiful work of fantasy. I do not think that I have ever read of such a paradisial setting. Unfortunately, the middle of the book is marred by too heavy didacticism, but Perelandra's other qualities overshadow that fault. I have re-read both of these works several times. I read That Hideous Strength once, and that was one time too many. Lewis took the series in a much different direction with this volume, having come under the deleterious literary influence of Charles Williams.

Why did Lewis write these novels? Because he was inspired to do so by David Lindsay's A Voyage to Arcturus. Lewis said that Lindsay's book showed him that the point of good science fiction is for the hero to have spiritual adventures (rather than interminable "ekshun" as H. P. Lovecraft mockingly called it). I strongly suggest reading the real space trilogy as follows:

1. A Voyage to Arcturus by David Lindsay
2. Out of the Silent Planet by C. S. Lewis
3. Perelandra by C. S. Lewis

Perhaps you could use That Hideous Strength as a coaster for your drink.

[derv]

Geoffrey, I will take your suggestion and hunt down a copy of A Voyage to Arcturus. I think I'll try to tackle the series as intended first, though.

I have to admit to admiring Lewis, after reading some biographies on his life. I believe anyone reading his works would find his real life of interest beyond just his acquaintences (such as Tolkien), through The Inklings at Oxford. It seems he sometimes gets pigeonholed as something he was not and there are many false impressions of the man who was, in his own right, a very interesting person of unique character.

This could be said of many authors, though.

[gronkthebold]

Desert Island book: If omnibuses are allowed, then the First Book of Lankhmar (a collection of four books of Fritz Leiber's "Swords" series) would be my definite pick.

World I would like to play in: I would love to play in a Dying Earth campaign if the DM has a definite grasp of the exotic imagination and almost whimsical weirdness of the setting. Another setting I would love to play in is Leiber's setting of Nehwon, for its swords and sorcery, swashbuckling awesomeness. Even moreso if I can persuade the DM into letting me play a ghoul fighting-man.

I am currently reading Dreams of Steel, book five in Glen Cook's Black Company saga, and loving the series so far. A great, gritty page turner, in my opinion.

[kent]

Jul 29, 2013 14:35:49 GMT -6 gronkthebold said:

Desert Island book: If omnibuses are allowed, then the First Book of Lankhmar (a collection of four books of Fritz Leiber's "Swords" series) would be my definite pick.

I think books II III & IV are the heart of the F&M tales with I and V wrapping up their story. VI & VII are best avoided in my view.

[kent]

What do people think of the Game of Thrones books?

The books have contrived to produce a very interesting TV show while being irredeemably cliched in expression in the books themselves. Martin, who comes across well in interviews, deserves credit for his ideas, which have translated well to TV, if not his ability to write.

[geoffrey]

Aug 1, 2013 17:09:34 GMT -6 kent said:

What do people think of the Game of Thrones books?

The books have contrived to produce a very interesting TV show while being irredeemably cliched in expression in the books themselves. Martin, who comes across well in interviews, deserves credit for his ideas, which have translated well to TV, if not his ability to write.

I have read only the first book of the series, which was not my cup of tea. I thought the prose flabby and repetitive. I experience more wonder in Jack Vance's 17-page "Mazirian the Magician" than I did in the 700 pages of A Game of Thrones.

[kesher]

Aug 1, 2013 20:46:29 GMT -6 geoffrey said:

Aug 1, 2013 17:09:34 GMT -6 kent said:

What do people think of the Game of Thrones books?

The books have contrived to produce a very interesting TV show while being irredeemably cliched in expression in the books themselves. Martin, who comes across well in interviews, deserves credit for his ideas, which have translated well to TV, if not his ability to write.

I have read only the first book of the series, which was not my cup of tea. I thought the prose flabby and repetitive. I experience more wonder in Jack Vance's 17-page "Mazirian the Magician" than I did in the 700 pages of A Game of Thrones.

Amen to that.

[Finarvyn]

I'm currently re-reading "Galactic Patrol", one of the old Lensmen scifi classics by E.E. "Doc" Smith. Star Wars decades before Star Wars.

As to the Game of Thrones, I have all of the books because so many folks keep telling me to read them. I read the first book and half of the second. (1) So many characters is a bad thing. (2) Interesting character interaction and detailed plotlines, is a sort-of good thing. (3) Length of the books is a bad thing. (4) Number of characters I like who die, also bad thing.

The TV series was also good-bad. I enjoy good nudity on occasion, but not when it gets in the way of a good storyline. I had hoped to make Game of Thrones one of those family series where we can all get together and enjoy, but with the random nudity that HBO loves to throw at us I simply can't watch this with my teenaged daughter. Some great parts include the casting for Ned Stark and Tyrion. I want to love this series, but am just having problems with it.

[bexley]

Aug 1, 2013 17:09:34 GMT -6 kent said:

What do people think of the Game of Thrones books?

The books have contrived to produce a very interesting TV show while being irredeemably cliched in expression in the books themselves. Martin, who comes across well in interviews, deserves credit for his ideas, which have translated well to TV, if not his ability to write.

I don't really like them. I was an early adopter to the series but as it has grown, I think the original vision of the series has been muddled and now Martin is writing to finish up something that has grown too unwieldy.

Aesthetically it is nothing special but the scope and ambition make it a worthwhile read. Unfortunately, I can't think of too many reasons to see the series out at this point though.

[kent]

Aug 1, 2013 20:46:29 GMT -6 geoffrey said:

I have read only the first book of the series, which was not my cup of tea. I thought the prose flabby and repetitive. I experience more wonder in Jack Vance's 17-page "Mazirian the Magician" than I did in the 700 pages of A Game of Thrones.

Have you watched the tv show? It resembles more a vibrant Elizabethan history play, in makey-uppey-land, with a sparing use of Dragons and magic.

Aug 2, 2013 5:36:18 GMT -6 Finarvyn said:

The TV series was also good-bad. I enjoy good nudity on occasion, but not when it gets in the way of a good storyline. I had hoped to make Game of Thrones one of those family series where we can all get together and enjoy, but with the random nudity that HBO loves to throw at us I simply can't watch this with my teenaged daughter. Some great parts include the casting for Ned Stark and Tyrion. I want to love this series, but am just having problems with it.

The environment in which you are trying to watch it is affecting your opinion of it. It is an adult show in many ways, and frankly I hardly notice the nudity. In my opinion adults are starved of adult programming, cinema and tv are increasingly juvenile. Unusually for a fantasy the intricacies of character and plot are meaningful and, as far as the tv show goes, reward a second viewing.

[geoffrey]

Aug 3, 2013 10:20:20 GMT -6 kent said:

Aug 1, 2013 20:46:29 GMT -6 geoffrey said:

I have read only the first book of the series, which was not my cup of tea. I thought the prose flabby and repetitive. I experience more wonder in Jack Vance's 17-page "Mazirian the Magician" than I did in the 700 pages of A Game of Thrones.

Have you watched the tv show? It resembles more a vibrant Elizabethan history play, in makey-uppey-land, with a sparing use of Dragons and magic.

I've watched the first two seasons on DVD. I thought it was good in parts, but not great. I wouldn't pay to see it, nor would I care to re-watch the episodes, but I thought it worth watching for free once. I plan to watch the third season after my local library acquires it. In any case, I enjoyed the shows more than the book.

[kent]

Recommended here: odd74.proboards.com/thread/6301/francis-xavier-gordon, I read the 50 pg El Borak story "Hawk of the Hills" in the del rey Howard Crimson Shadows vol.1.

A good old romp, swiftly read. Nothing new here really, though Howard's description of the crag clinging Akbar Castle makes it a tempting challenge to map.

[Ghul]

As mentioned in another thread, I'm finishing up El Borak and Other Desert Adventures by Robert E. Howard. I've read all the Francis Xavier Gordon stories, and now I'm on Kirby O'Donnell.

Speaking of C.S. Lewis, I'm reading all the Narnia stories with my middle child (age 11). We read aloud at night. And as it so happens, this was my recent used book store haul:





My desert island book: Hour of the Dragon, by REH.

I could change my mind tomorrow. I mean, it could end up being Grapes of Wrath, or Old Man and the Sea, or Catcher in the Rye, or Fahrenheit 451, or The Great Gatsby, or Lord of the Flies, or Dune, or The White Company, or Elric of Melnibone, or The Hobbit. Take your pick!


World I would like to play in (not DM in): Planet of Adventure by Jack Vance.

[kent]

Aug 6, 2013 15:30:35 GMT -6 Ghul said:

My desert island book: Hour of the Dragon, by REH.

I could change my mind tomorrow. I mean, it could end up being Grapes of Wrath, or Old Man and the Sea, or Catcher in the Rye, or Fahrenheit 451, or The Great Gatsby, or Lord of the Flies, or Dune, or The White Company, or Elric of Melnibone, or The Hobbit. Take your pick!

Sure. I have added the following to the OP:

Primarily works of fantasy, science-fiction or horror is ok too. By all means nominate a work of literature in addition.

====

Great idea to post those old covers, 60s & 70s covers are far out, dense, geometrical and/or surreal, and often fleshy (I wonder why?). Modern covers are uninspiring.

[bexley]

I recently bought a pulp to read during my tutorial break based solely on it's cover.



I guessed I lucked out because Lin Carter seems to rate it as van Vogt's best.

[kent]

Aug 7, 2013 5:11:36 GMT -6 bexley said:

I recently bought a pulp to read during my tutorial break based solely on it's cover. I guessed I lucked out because Lin Carter seems to rate it as van Vogt's best.

What a magnificent building. I haven't read more than a few pages of van Vogt. Let us know what its like when you're done.

[Finarvyn]

Aug 6, 2013 15:30:35 GMT -6 Ghul said:

Speaking of C.S. Lewis, I'm reading all the Narnia stories with my middle child (age 11). We read aloud at night.

Just curious, are you reading them in the order they were written or the chronological order? I seem to remember that a lot of Narnia fans get all upset about the order.

Original publication order
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
Prince Caspian
The Voyage of the Dawn Treader
The Silver Chair
The Horse and His Boy
The Magician's Nephew
The Last Battle

Harper Collins order (chronological)
The Magician's Nephew
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
The Horse and His Boy
Prince Caspian
The Voyage of the Dawn Treader
The Silver Chair
The Last Battle

I kind of like chronological, but it's just my two coppers.

[Zenopus]

I've read Voyage of the Space Beagle (1950) by van Vogt and would recommend it. It's a mash-up of short stories, originally published separately, of discovery of alien life on different planets - basically the template for Star Trek. The stories also served as the basis of inspiration for the Displacer Beast and the Xill (from Fiend Folio). The Xill story also shares similarities with the movie Alien, and according to Wikipedia van Vogt actually sued & settled out of court with the producers of the movie.

This is the cover of the 1976 pb version I read.



There are some other great covers for this same book. This is an early 80s one that shows the inspiration for Displacer Beast. This is post Monster Manual so I wouldn't be surprised if the art is influenced by the D&D version.



I love old paperbacks from the '50s-80s - both the art and size - and would always rather read in that format than a oversized hardcover or trade paperback.

[Ghul]

Aug 7, 2013 8:53:53 GMT -6 Finarvyn said:

Aug 6, 2013 15:30:35 GMT -6 Ghul said:

Speaking of C.S. Lewis, I'm reading all the Narnia stories with my middle child (age 11). We read aloud at night.

Just curious, are you reading them in the order they were written or the chronological order? I seem to remember that a lot of Narnia fans get all upset about the order.

Original publication order
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
Prince Caspian
The Voyage of the Dawn Treader
The Silver Chair
The Horse and His Boy
The Magician's Nephew
The Last Battle

Harper Collins order (chronological)
The Magician's Nephew
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
The Horse and His Boy
Prince Caspian
The Voyage of the Dawn Treader
The Silver Chair
The Last Battle

I kind of like chronological, but it's just my two coppers.

We're doing the big omnibus edition, which is chronological order. I don't think I like it that way, but what's done is done -- we are already heading into The Horse and His Boy.

[cadriel]

I'm reading Playing at the World, currently in the part about the history of fantasy literature. It's a little bit interesting, correcting some places where I was wrong about the chronology of American pulp fantasy, but it's nowhere near as interesting as the parts that go into previously unexplored wargaming history of the first part.

I'm also trying to get into some of a Clark Ashton Smith collection that I have (the re-release of Out of Space and Time). The writing is very ornate but it's interesting, I read "A Night in Malnéant" which seemed almost a Poe pastiche more than a fantasy story. The next one is "The City of the Singing Flame."