haven't read the books, but it seems more like fantasy than geekery

( Lisette von Falcon, Wed 1 Jun 2011, 13:09, 2 replies, latest was 15 years ago)

It was written as an exercise in English writing
Geeky for geeky sake
( sporters I’m sincerely gratitude to you, Wed 1 Jun 2011, 13:09, Reply)

Fantasy is way more geeky that science fiction.
I believe the more macho geeks for for science fiction.
( girlinthehole, Wed 1 Jun 2011, 13:10, Reply)

old fantasy, maybe
but there's a whole 'new'* crop of interesting fantasy authors who don't feel the need to be 4th rate tolkein

*when I say new, like the last 10 years or so
( Citizen Cavy Admires your passion for conformity, Wed 1 Jun 2011, 13:11, Reply)

To be honest I just can't get into fantasy books. I've read some and tried but they just don't interest me.

( girlinthehole, Wed 1 Jun 2011, 13:13, Reply)

avoid shit like
Robert Jordan and Raymond Feist (*expects to be shot down here*), have a look at China Mieville. Game of Thrones series is apparently very good, too. The books are brilliant, but I suspect a little involved if you don't like fantasyy
( Citizen Cavy Admires your passion for conformity, Wed 1 Jun 2011, 13:18, Reply)

I tried a few Pratchett books and whilest fairly enjoyable, they didn't make me want to read more.

( girlinthehole, Wed 1 Jun 2011, 13:21, Reply)

yeah, he's good, but people who REALLY like him
tend to over state the case. Try some Neil Gaiman if you feel the tug of fantasy anytime soon
( Citizen Cavy Admires your passion for conformity, Wed 1 Jun 2011, 13:28, Reply)

I've read a couple of his.
He is better but again didn't really push me to read much more.
( girlinthehole, Wed 1 Jun 2011, 13:30, Reply)

What do you normally read?

(wellgroomedwookiee is a filthy-minded hobgoblin, Wed 1 Jun 2011, 13:32, Reply)

It would be easier to tell you what I don't read.
Fantasy, crime fiction and chick lit. It's mainly Sci fi and horror and whatever current literature is out that I might find interesting. I also like historical fiction.
( girlinthehole, Wed 1 Jun 2011, 13:34, Reply)

Bernard Cornwell's Arthurian and Saxon stuff is a good starting point, see how you get on with that.
It's mostly historical. And if you like that, try Game of Thrones - the plot never advances AT ALL and everyone you like will die, but it's written for realism and magic is pretty de-emphasised. And it's fucking brilliant, of course.
(wellgroomedwookiee is a filthy-minded hobgoblin, Wed 1 Jun 2011, 13:39, Reply)

I shall peruse it on Amazon, thanks.
I'm getting a little low on my stuff to read list.
( girlinthehole, Wed 1 Jun 2011, 13:40, Reply)

you might like the Boudica books
not that I ever read them, this is old bookseller knowledge rather than real reading experience
( Citizen Cavy Admires your passion for conformity, Wed 1 Jun 2011, 13:41, Reply)

and the new one is out soon!
(he's been saying that for years though)
( Citizen Cavy Admires your passion for conformity, Wed 1 Jun 2011, 13:40, Reply)

I loved the Feist when I was younger, but reading it now it's a little bit
"I played this great game of D&D and I started out as this orphan kid or something and every time I levelled I rolled amazingly on the skill table and then I maxed him out and I was like taking on armies and shit and now he's the king."
(wellgroomedwookiee is a filthy-minded hobgoblin, Wed 1 Jun 2011, 13:28, Reply)

www.youtube.com/watch?v=54VJWHL2K3I
( Citizen Cavy Admires your passion for conformity, Wed 1 Jun 2011, 14:04, Reply)

They all go like this:
Poor peasant boy lives humble medieval existence amongst other pov types with unpronouncable names. Evil rich dark lord oppresses humble poor peasants. Otherwise unremarkable poor peasant boy discovers magical artefact/leet skillz/prophecy, attains wisdom and is powerful but still humble, defeats evil dark lord (but not totally as energy can neither be created nor destroyed; it can only be transformed from one state to another, and there has to be the possibility of at least a trilogy). Add at least one of the following: dragon/quest/dragonquest/older wiser wizard/elf queen/feisty sword-wielding love interest who eventually succumbs to heteronormative influence.

Oh, and the cover (elaborate drawings of at least one figure in flowing robes and/or a sword) will say "A tale to rival Tolkien".
( crackhouseceilidhband Fuck off back to Mumsnet, Wed 1 Jun 2011, 13:34, Reply)

Shut up David Gemmell was brilliant.

(wellgroomedwookiee is a filthy-minded hobgoblin, Wed 1 Jun 2011, 13:40, Reply)

yes his book was very entertaining each time he wrote it

( Citizen Cavy Admires your passion for conformity, Wed 1 Jun 2011, 13:46, Reply)

How dare you!
You're thinking of Eddings.
(wellgroomedwookiee is a filthy-minded hobgoblin, Wed 1 Jun 2011, 13:50, Reply)

well he's better than Eddings admittedly
but, still..
( Citizen Cavy Admires your passion for conformity, Wed 1 Jun 2011, 13:51, Reply)

pretty much.
like the standard role play character background...

"I was born in [poor village] where we lived a mostly peaceful existence until [name of bad guy/race] came and destroyed [poor village]. I was the only one to escape, I found myself in the forest, lost and alone until I met a mysterious [character class] who taught me all be knew. I trained for years and I am now the best [character class] ever. I have returned to get revenge and retrieve [magic item/weapon].
( Citizen Cavy Admires your passion for conformity, Wed 1 Jun 2011, 13:45, Reply)

My step son is big into Terry Goodkind
and keeps insisting I read them.
( b3th Not shit. Not mod., Wed 1 Jun 2011, 13:14, Reply)

God, they're awful
on the first page a village headman attempts to ban FIRE. Because his parents died in a fire or something.
( The Light in Chains don't touch the Pope's boner, Wed 1 Jun 2011, 13:15, Reply)

seriously :(

( Citizen Cavy Admires your passion for conformity, Wed 1 Jun 2011, 13:18, Reply)

oh my gosh, it's like the box office smash movie Footloose, where they ban rock music and dancing because the town preachers son died!

( Lisette von Falcon, Wed 1 Jun 2011, 13:19, Reply)

not read them
apparently just a bit generic (if they are the ones I'm thinking of)
( Citizen Cavy Admires your passion for conformity, Wed 1 Jun 2011, 13:16, Reply)

not as bad as Terry Brooks
there is a lot of very poor fantasy out there. But I don't read very much anyway
( Amberl was stripey and dominated Europe, Wed 1 Jun 2011, 13:40, Reply)

I see your point, I suppose growing up in the techy age has made me think of geeks as those that are mega into techy stuff that I don't understand.

( Lisette von Falcon, Wed 1 Jun 2011, 13:17, Reply)