I read The Sparrow a few months ago
on the recommendation of a girl I'd met at a wedding. She'd been rapturous in her praise so I'd made a note of it. I didn't get it, it had some nice ideas in it but overall a bit meh. Funnily enough all the good reports I have heard about it are from women.
(Zoz prayed for twink on, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:16, 1 reply, 16 years ago)

Maybe women like their sci-fi a bit more deep than flashing lazers and robots.

( girlinthehole, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:18, Reply)

try reading Alastair Reynolds or Iain M Banks
that's what sci fi should be like.
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:19, Reply)

I've read one of Ian M Banks books.
Alastair Reynolds I've not come across.
( girlinthehole, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:20, Reply)

Reynolds is like sci fi film noir in some of the books
it's good shit.

Revelation Space is a good one to start with, or Diamond Dogs and Turquoise Days (I think)
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:21, Reply)

He's brilliant! Spectacular gothic space-opera.
And if you like your sci-fi political, Ken McLeod.
(wellgroomedwookiee is a filthy-minded hobgoblin, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:24, Reply)

I really enjoyed The Sparrow and thought Consider Phlebas by Banks was a wanky mess of a book,
and I like lasers and robots in my books.
( Undulating Tentacles of Love getting fun down to acceptable levels, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:32, Reply)

I reread Consider Phlebas the other week
and it wasn't quite as good as I thought the previous few times I read it.
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:34, Reply)

Excession is still utterly fantastic though.

(wellgroomedwookiee is a filthy-minded hobgoblin, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:40, Reply)

that's my favourite
it's outrageously good
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:46, Reply)

That wasn't what I was hoping for though
the person who recommended it to me said that she fell in love with the characters and was moved to tears, that it had really blown her away. That was why I bought it, no book had really grabbed me like that in yonks. I don't think she even mentioned that it was sci fi.
(Zoz prayed for twink on, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:23, Reply)