Books - What are you reading?
Discussion
Some pages back, somebody asked me to post my thoughts on Adrian Tchaikovsky's "Cage of Souls" after reading. Well I've finished it now and my verdict is "curate's egg". Was a bit slow to get going, I couldn't quite suspend my disbelief to enage with the basic premise of the world in which the book is set, but by the time I finished it I had quite enjoyed it. Could have done with a more imaginative ending I thought, but who am I to criticise.
I then went on to read "Dogs of War" by the same author, which I found more comfortable, and a more interesting premise as it's set in a far nearer future than Cage of Souls.
I had previously read his Children of Time, and Children of Ruin, which I think are far superior works, if a tad stodgy in the middles and would be more enjoyable if they were a bit briefer (IMHO).
I'm starting to wonder if he intended for all his novels set in various different times on the future have some coherent "universe building" idea behind them, because you could quite easily see them all as a continuous (if hugely spaced out) series - obviously completely different characters etc, but in the author's mind does the world of Dogs of War lead to the worlds of Children of Time/Ruin and Cage of Souls? Is there a common thread?
I shall now take a break from his books and try something completely different before returning to try anything else of his.
I then went on to read "Dogs of War" by the same author, which I found more comfortable, and a more interesting premise as it's set in a far nearer future than Cage of Souls.
I had previously read his Children of Time, and Children of Ruin, which I think are far superior works, if a tad stodgy in the middles and would be more enjoyable if they were a bit briefer (IMHO).
I'm starting to wonder if he intended for all his novels set in various different times on the future have some coherent "universe building" idea behind them, because you could quite easily see them all as a continuous (if hugely spaced out) series - obviously completely different characters etc, but in the author's mind does the world of Dogs of War lead to the worlds of Children of Time/Ruin and Cage of Souls? Is there a common thread?
I shall now take a break from his books and try something completely different before returning to try anything else of his.
Edited by ElectricSoup on Friday 10th September 11:14
coppice said:
Dinlowgoon said:
A Possible Life - Sebastian Faulks.
5 very different short stories,all very moving to make you question who you are.
Think I’ll be reading more of his material.
Do report back. I have read all his previous books , but there have been some absolute clunkers like Charlotte Gray and the Girl at the Lion D'Or . Birdsong , of course , was masterful but I greatly enjoyed Paris Echo . He is not quiet as accomplished as contemporaries like William Boyd or Ian McEwan but when he is on form he is terrific 5 very different short stories,all very moving to make you question who you are.
Think I’ll be reading more of his material.
I have not read anything of his since that disappointment. I will try A Possible life as I like short stories and it is a very different skill to novel writing. Enforced brevity may help his writing style?!
ElectricSoup said:
I then went on to read "Dogs of War" by the same author, which I found more comfortable, and a more interesting premise as it's set in a far nearer future than Cage of Souls.
I had previously read his Children of Time, and Children of Ruin, which I think are far superior works, if a tad stodgy in the middles and would be more enjoyable if they were a bit briefer (IMHO).
Currently reading Bear Head, which is an interesting and different sequel to Dogs of War...so far it's pretty good, albeit the bad guy, once again, has very few redeeming features. I had previously read his Children of Time, and Children of Ruin, which I think are far superior works, if a tad stodgy in the middles and would be more enjoyable if they were a bit briefer (IMHO).
I miss Rex though...he was a good boy.
(ref. CoT vs DoW...CoT is the far grander vision, but DoW feels like the more complete story)
ElectricSoup said:
Some pages back, somebody asked me to post my thoughts on Adrian Tchaikovsky's "Cage of Souls" after reading. Well I've finished it now and my verdict is "curate's egg". Was a bit slow to get going, I couldn't quite suspend my disbelief to enage with the basic premise of the world in which the book is set, but by the time I finished it I had quite enjoyed it. Could have done with a more imaginative ending I thought, but who am I to criticise.
I then went on to read "Dogs of War" by the same author, which I found more comfortable, and a more interesting premise as it's set in a far nearer future than Cage of Souls.
I had previously read his Children of Time, and Children of Ruin, which I think are far superior works, if a tad stodgy in the middles and would be more enjoyable if they were a bit briefer (IMHO).
I'm starting to wonder if he intended for all his novels set in various different times on the future have some coherent "universe building" idea behind them, because you could quite easily see them all as a continuous (if hugely spaced out) series - obviously completely different characters etc, but in the author's mind does the world of Dogs of War lead to the worlds of Children of Time/Ruin and Cage of Souls? Is there a common thread?
I shall now take a break from his books and try something completely different before returning to try anything else of his.
I asked - thanks for replying. My favourite of his is The Doors of Eden, which I would recommend. I've plowed through some of his 'Apt' series of fantasy books which I have not enjoyed as much. I then went on to read "Dogs of War" by the same author, which I found more comfortable, and a more interesting premise as it's set in a far nearer future than Cage of Souls.
I had previously read his Children of Time, and Children of Ruin, which I think are far superior works, if a tad stodgy in the middles and would be more enjoyable if they were a bit briefer (IMHO).
I'm starting to wonder if he intended for all his novels set in various different times on the future have some coherent "universe building" idea behind them, because you could quite easily see them all as a continuous (if hugely spaced out) series - obviously completely different characters etc, but in the author's mind does the world of Dogs of War lead to the worlds of Children of Time/Ruin and Cage of Souls? Is there a common thread?
I shall now take a break from his books and try something completely different before returning to try anything else of his.
Interesting question on if his future novels share a universe. I'd never really thought about it but I suppose DOW and the Children novels could and it'd be consistent. Doors of Eden (near future/present day sci fi) certainly doesn't.
Recent reads, aside from the Apt books, were a revist of the newer William Gibson books - "the Peripheral" and "Agency". Very good.
hairykrishna said:
ElectricSoup said:
Some pages back, somebody asked me to post my thoughts on Adrian Tchaikovsky's "Cage of Souls" after reading. Well I've finished it now and my verdict is "curate's egg". Was a bit slow to get going, I couldn't quite suspend my disbelief to enage with the basic premise of the world in which the book is set, but by the time I finished it I had quite enjoyed it. Could have done with a more imaginative ending I thought, but who am I to criticise.
I then went on to read "Dogs of War" by the same author, which I found more comfortable, and a more interesting premise as it's set in a far nearer future than Cage of Souls.
I had previously read his Children of Time, and Children of Ruin, which I think are far superior works, if a tad stodgy in the middles and would be more enjoyable if they were a bit briefer (IMHO).
I'm starting to wonder if he intended for all his novels set in various different times on the future have some coherent "universe building" idea behind them, because you could quite easily see them all as a continuous (if hugely spaced out) series - obviously completely different characters etc, but in the author's mind does the world of Dogs of War lead to the worlds of Children of Time/Ruin and Cage of Souls? Is there a common thread?
I shall now take a break from his books and try something completely different before returning to try anything else of his.
I asked - thanks for replying. My favourite of his is The Doors of Eden, which I would recommend. I've plowed through some of his 'Apt' series of fantasy books which I have not enjoyed as much. I then went on to read "Dogs of War" by the same author, which I found more comfortable, and a more interesting premise as it's set in a far nearer future than Cage of Souls.
I had previously read his Children of Time, and Children of Ruin, which I think are far superior works, if a tad stodgy in the middles and would be more enjoyable if they were a bit briefer (IMHO).
I'm starting to wonder if he intended for all his novels set in various different times on the future have some coherent "universe building" idea behind them, because you could quite easily see them all as a continuous (if hugely spaced out) series - obviously completely different characters etc, but in the author's mind does the world of Dogs of War lead to the worlds of Children of Time/Ruin and Cage of Souls? Is there a common thread?
I shall now take a break from his books and try something completely different before returning to try anything else of his.
Interesting question on if his future novels share a universe. I'd never really thought about it but I suppose DOW and the Children novels could and it'd be consistent. Doors of Eden (near future/present day sci fi) certainly doesn't.
Recent reads, aside from the Apt books, were a revist of the newer William Gibson books - "the Peripheral" and "Agency". Very good.
I'll give Bear Head a go in time, and Doors of Eden. Thanks for the recommendation.
Edited by ElectricSoup on Monday 13th September 08:49
epom said:
I read this last year, a very enjoyable book, if you read some of the Beatles and Stones biographies there is lot of crossover with Tara and his crowd in the mid '60s period 
.In a similar vein I have Andrew Loog Oldham's two books on the Stones still to read, I'm looking forward to these....
Edited by P5BNij on Tuesday 14th September 12:42
Edited by P5BNij on Tuesday 14th September 12:43
These are on the 'to read later' pile at the moment, but anyway, the first is basically the script from the TV series, but Bronowski was a very eloquent speaker which makes for a very readable book despite the ambition of its premise.
The Ascent of Man by J. Bronowski
Secondly one that may appeal to the spy enthusiasts, Rory Cormac is a Professor of International Relations specialising in Secret Intelligence and Covert Action. I think this is one of his first books, but he seems to have a good grip on it. TBC.
Disrupt and Deny by R Cormac
[PS Feck Apple and their nonsense image AI....]
The Ascent of Man by J. Bronowski
Secondly one that may appeal to the spy enthusiasts, Rory Cormac is a Professor of International Relations specialising in Secret Intelligence and Covert Action. I think this is one of his first books, but he seems to have a good grip on it. TBC.
Disrupt and Deny by R Cormac
[PS Feck Apple and their nonsense image AI....]
g3org3y said:
Will check it out thanks.
If you're interested in the War on Terror (and the associated politics), the Conflicted podcast is fascinating (presented by a former jihadist turned British double agent inside Al Qaeda).
https://messageheard.com/podcasts/conflicted
That's fascinating and very informative thanks - reminds me a lot of the book by Majid Nawaz - Radical which I'd highly recommendIf you're interested in the War on Terror (and the associated politics), the Conflicted podcast is fascinating (presented by a former jihadist turned British double agent inside Al Qaeda).
https://messageheard.com/podcasts/conflicted
akirk said:
Pumps100 said:
I have just finished 'Lonesome Dove' by Larry McMurtry which was first published in 1985 and later in the TV series of 1989 (yes it was that long ago).
I really enjoyed it. In paperback it runs to 830 pages which makes it a tad unwieldy. I managed the first 500 pages in two months and the last 300 pages in two weeks. They say if you only read one Western book this is it. I was sad to finish it.
I am now looking out for the follow up 'Streets of Laredo'.
Ian
just in the process of reading this!I really enjoyed it. In paperback it runs to 830 pages which makes it a tad unwieldy. I managed the first 500 pages in two months and the last 300 pages in two weeks. They say if you only read one Western book this is it. I was sad to finish it.
I am now looking out for the follow up 'Streets of Laredo'.
Ian
Lonesome Dove is possibly the greatest novel I've ever read. Like Western Shakespeare in its exploration of human issues.
The others in the series haven't been as good, but still worth reading.
I find the harshness of the lives of the mostly very tough characters, and the sense of wide open spaces, compelling. The Rangers camping out on the freezing Plano and encountering the Comanche was very evocative.
The characters are well written, with a sort of old-modern dialogue, and behaviour that may or may not be accurate, but draws you in.
Just acquired my latest Clive Cussler Novel to get stuck into once I've caught up on a few other things. Despite being a different character series, this one links back in with one of the very first in a pleasingly circular way and stays true to the plot of the 1977 original (rather than rewriting bits to suit the new narrative, as many delayed-sequel works often do)
"When Dirk Pitt raised the Titanic in search of a rare and valuable element, he never learned the disturbing true story of its origins.
But upon receiving secret testimony from private detective Isaac Bell, he's taken back to the year 1911 and a tragedy at Colorado's Little Angel Mine.
There, Isaac Bell is tasked with explaining the deaths of nine miners. But all is not as it seems and soon Bell finds himself on his way to Europe hunting for clues concerning a rare element of incalculable value.
All while being pursued by dangerous men.
Men who will do anything to get their hands on it . . ."
Since his death there's still been quite a few books over the various series emerging, I guess this is the benefit of working with other authors as he was increasingly doing in later life, as it mans they were able to finish them off. I'll be sad when the trickle eventually stops though, as CC is by far my favourite author - can you tell?
"When Dirk Pitt raised the Titanic in search of a rare and valuable element, he never learned the disturbing true story of its origins.
But upon receiving secret testimony from private detective Isaac Bell, he's taken back to the year 1911 and a tragedy at Colorado's Little Angel Mine.
There, Isaac Bell is tasked with explaining the deaths of nine miners. But all is not as it seems and soon Bell finds himself on his way to Europe hunting for clues concerning a rare element of incalculable value.
All while being pursued by dangerous men.
Men who will do anything to get their hands on it . . ."
Since his death there's still been quite a few books over the various series emerging, I guess this is the benefit of working with other authors as he was increasingly doing in later life, as it mans they were able to finish them off. I'll be sad when the trickle eventually stops though, as CC is by far my favourite author - can you tell?
ChemicalChaos said:
Just acquired my latest Clive Cussler Novel to get stuck into once I've caught up on a few other things.
I think I'm a few behind the latest ones, but I just can't get on with the Isaac Bell series. I think it's just the period of time that it's set in that put me off. I've read a couple of them.droopsnoot said:
I think I'm a few behind the latest ones, but I just can't get on with the Isaac Bell series. I think it's just the period of time that it's set in that put me off. I've read a couple of them.
Yes, I'll admit the era-specific action sequences may not be to everyone's taste, but I do like them.I think my favourite series though is the Oregon Files, the ship doing it's stuff against enemies is like a James Bond Q-branch gadget scene on steroids
Huff said:
Clive Cussler was always a sloppy (crap) but popular writer - the fact he's actually dead now I don't think is going to turn-off the money tap any time soon:
It's the reason the last several hundred were 'ghost written'/cough/ in association with...
Shots fired.....It's the reason the last several hundred were 'ghost written'/cough/ in association with...
What do you find sloppy about his writing, out of interest?
Can't be too bad if Tom Clancy states CC is the author HE reads.....
ChemicalChaos said:
Can't be too bad if Tom Clancy states CC is the author HE reads.....
I'm not sure that's a recommendationClancy wrote Cold War / military / consipracy-theory porn for teenagers and the military/wannabe-military crowd (just like Coonts and Coyle, who are broadly in the same league). Almost as far from 'literature' as Dan Brown, and I say that as someone who liked a lot of that stuff in my teenage years.
His earlier novels are still reasonably entertaining*, but they're all pulp fiction, and not as well-written as e.g. Le Carre or Seymour. Bit like comparing a Michael Bay film to a James Bond film...
* Later stuff, esp. the co-written b
ks, just went downhill...Gassing Station | Books and Literature | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff