It was called 'The Mirror of Her Dreams'
was a two part series. Seriously crap.

I was prepared to dislike the Wasp Factory but got drawn into it reluctantly. Twisted genius
( Amberl was stripey and dominated Europe, Mon 12 Jul 2010, 10:35, 1 reply, 16 years ago)

Mordant's Need or something?
I've got those, you are right in your judgement.

Glad you didn't dislike the Wasp Factory Iain (M) Banks is my favourite author.
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Mon 12 Jul 2010, 10:38, Reply)

Yeah that's the one
Literally the weakest, feeblest most boring heroine ever, and incredibly sexist.

I might read some more Iain Banks after that. Was reluctantly impressed. Any recommendations?
( Amberl was stripey and dominated Europe, Mon 12 Jul 2010, 10:40, Reply)

that was pretty much my assessment
the other Banks stuff isn't as twisted as that one, but still good.

Espedair Street is my favourite, but that's partly because it is about a prog rock band.
I really like The Crow Road and Complicity, but if you want the weird stuff then The Bridge or Walking on Glass.

Even if you aren't a fan of sci fi I'd still consider reading Consider Phlebas. It's fucking brilliant.
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Mon 12 Jul 2010, 10:43, Reply)

thanks for the recs
and of course I'm a fan of sci-fi. :P

Yeah Donaldson went back to this pre-19th century version of women. That they're sex hungry whores who will do anything to make it to the top on their backs, and that therefore the only women who are worth knowing are pure virgins who will save themselves for their wedding nights
( Amberl was stripey and dominated Europe, Mon 12 Jul 2010, 10:48, Reply)

of course you are
I'd temporarily forgotten.

I find Donaldson's stuff odd. The Gap Series are great, but I find it really hard to read the Thomas Covenant stuff, I find it drags, and Covenant himself is frustratingly dull and irritating. I know he is meant to be the way he is, but it doesn't mean I enjoy reading it.

Banks has some flawed characters, but generally speaking they are still likeable, or at least enjoyable to read about.
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Mon 12 Jul 2010, 10:52, Reply)

I will definitely have a read then
I got the Wasp Factory as a free ebook. I was reading it at about 3 in the morning, when I got to the bit about the flies under the skullcap. Made me feel actually sick, which was an achievement.

Not a big Donaldson fan though Thomas Covenant was all right. How's Twelve?
( Amberl was stripey and dominated Europe, Mon 12 Jul 2010, 10:55, Reply)

that bit is pretty stomach turning
give Donaldson's Gap series a go if you haven't already. It's his best stuff in my opinion.

I've literally just started Twelve, so only read about 4 or 5 pages. It starts off with a folk tale about a town plagued by rats which was quite interesting.
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Mon 12 Jul 2010, 10:57, Reply)

I like the sound of the whole thing
let me know if it is good. Oh yeah I finally read The TimeTraveller's Wife as well
( Amberl was stripey and dominated Europe, Mon 12 Jul 2010, 11:01, Reply)

will do
I haven't read that. how did you find it?

can't remember if my mrs liked it or not...
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Mon 12 Jul 2010, 11:02, Reply)

mediocre
I thought it was brilliantly constructed in terms of tying up ends and keeping the timeline in order. But the plot itself was cliched nonsense, and the explanation given for his timetravelling was that he had a genetic disorder which was so rubbish an idea.

Though the timetraveller did try having sex with himself
( Amberl was stripey and dominated Europe, Mon 12 Jul 2010, 11:04, Reply)