The best book you ever read was...
Discussion
The Godwhale by T.J. Bass
"A thundering surf drowned the forlorn screams of land locked Rorqual Maru.Brine-tossed grains of olivine and calcite buried her left eye, blocking her view of the sky...As the eyelid of sand darkened her world, Rorqual wept over her irretrievable, wasted years. She was a Harvester without a crop-a plankton rake abondoned by Earth society when the seas died."
Well over 600' long, Rorqual was a cyborg, part whale, part ship, and a marvellously complex combination of biology and mechanics. She had been built to serve Man, and yearned for his return and the feel of bare feet on her decks.
Then, after centuries, the miracle happened. The sea grew life again-and Rorquel began her long ,slow search. But mankind had forgtten all about Rorquel and her kind.......
"A thundering surf drowned the forlorn screams of land locked Rorqual Maru.Brine-tossed grains of olivine and calcite buried her left eye, blocking her view of the sky...As the eyelid of sand darkened her world, Rorqual wept over her irretrievable, wasted years. She was a Harvester without a crop-a plankton rake abondoned by Earth society when the seas died."
Well over 600' long, Rorqual was a cyborg, part whale, part ship, and a marvellously complex combination of biology and mechanics. She had been built to serve Man, and yearned for his return and the feel of bare feet on her decks.
Then, after centuries, the miracle happened. The sea grew life again-and Rorquel began her long ,slow search. But mankind had forgtten all about Rorquel and her kind.......
Not sure if this was the best, but I doubt it's going to on this list if I don't put it
"A Day in the Life of A Soviet Worker" Andrew Smith (non fiction)
American Socialist/Marxist/Union guy is convinced the Russian way of life is better than that of the American worker.
So he ups sticks and heads east.
Edit I did a search...appears it is called "I was a Soviet Worker"..., possible I confused it with the Soltzy one of a similar title.
"A Day in the Life of A Soviet Worker" Andrew Smith (non fiction)
American Socialist/Marxist/Union guy is convinced the Russian way of life is better than that of the American worker.
So he ups sticks and heads east.
Edit I did a search...appears it is called "I was a Soviet Worker"..., possible I confused it with the Soltzy one of a similar title.
Edited by jeff m on Monday 22 August 17:36
I recently re-read Defying Hitler by Sebastian Haffner which is a book telling of the social reasons and reception to the rise of Hitler in post 1st war Germany, the national pride/shame mix and the way it helped Hitler to get power. Incredible book, very hard to get hold of a copy unless you go via a second hand seller, unless it has been re printed.
For pure escapism I read the Millenium Trilogy (Girl with the dragon tattoo, The Girl who played with fire and the Girl who kicked the Hornets Nest) Excellent set of books, well written even though they are translations, clever pacy interlaced story over the 3 books, I can see who lots of folk took them on holiday with them and who they are being made into Films.
For pure escapism I read the Millenium Trilogy (Girl with the dragon tattoo, The Girl who played with fire and the Girl who kicked the Hornets Nest) Excellent set of books, well written even though they are translations, clever pacy interlaced story over the 3 books, I can see who lots of folk took them on holiday with them and who they are being made into Films.
Lived bravo two zero. Read it loads of times and its still great. I liked immediate action too.
As a teenager I loved a book called 'the Wheatstoe pond'. Can't remember for the life of me who by, I think Roger or Robert someone but I got it for a car journey across the uk and never once pit it down.
As a teenager I loved a book called 'the Wheatstoe pond'. Can't remember for the life of me who by, I think Roger or Robert someone but I got it for a car journey across the uk and never once pit it down.
If you liked Chickenhaw you'd like "If I die in a Combat Zone".
If you liked Bravo 2 Zero then I think you'd also like Immediate Action.
If Tomorrow Comes is a good book, read it quite a few times.
Insomnia by King is good (well, the ending is not so much but the idea is good). 48 by Herbert. Imagica by Barker. So, so many books.
If you liked Bravo 2 Zero then I think you'd also like Immediate Action.
If Tomorrow Comes is a good book, read it quite a few times.
Insomnia by King is good (well, the ending is not so much but the idea is good). 48 by Herbert. Imagica by Barker. So, so many books.
Papillon is an excellent book. My friend and I read it about 10 years ago and still quote lines from it to each other. Have you read the sequel Banco? It's more of the same, but also very entertaining.
I thought about this for a while and I think the books that really stand out are the foundation trilogy from isaac asimov. They're the books that made me realise I liked sci fi and are awesome. I haven't read them for years but I will re read them. You ought to give them a go if you haven't read them.
I thought about this for a while and I think the books that really stand out are the foundation trilogy from isaac asimov. They're the books that made me realise I liked sci fi and are awesome. I haven't read them for years but I will re read them. You ought to give them a go if you haven't read them.
Fup by Jim Dodge. Hard to do a summary, it's a nonsensical and hilarious story. When you finish it you may well say "is that it"? And I can't tell you what you'll take from it, but it may well alter how you view things. I've certainly read other books with much grander, and seemingly more noble, intentions (Animal Farm etc) but there's something about Fup that, to me, is much, much deeper.
Dirty Frank said:
Ive been put off those because the first two dont have an english translation, do you miss anything by not reading them?
I didn't find it an issue. The Redbreast is the first translated book and that and the next three books have a sub plot running through them so you need to do them in order. The Snowman is the most violent one though.I like them, Hole character has a very 'human' quality about him. I won't say any more. make your own mind up. Personally I think they's a great read
krusty said:
I didn't find it an issue. The Redbreast is the first translated book and that and the next three books have a sub plot running through them so you need to do them in order. The Snowman is the most violent one though.
I like them, Hole character has a very 'human' quality about him. I won't say any more. make your own mind up. Personally I think they's a great read
Cheers ill put them on my Kindle.I like them, Hole character has a very 'human' quality about him. I won't say any more. make your own mind up. Personally I think they's a great read
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