Science Fiction
Discussion
DibblyDobbler said:
Well - just knocked off 'Look to Windward' as part of my rerun through Banks's Culture Series. Good book - not a classic in my view but good. Was trying to decide what to go for next and it occurred to me that I hadn't ever read 'State of the Art' - it never really appealed due to being a collection of short stories but will give it a go next up 
Hmm - ok finished State of the Art. In all honesty I wouldn't bother unless you are a real die hard Banks fan or (like me) just want to complete the set. It wasn't awful just not at the same level as the rest imho.So it's onward and upward with Surface Detail - which I have only read once iirc
I'm on #4 of the Expanse, #3 was a bit slow but this one is great. I just got the latest one (#6 I think?) dropped onto my kindle as I preordered it, and I'm hoping for the bluray of the TV series for Christmas. I'm a fan! I would never have heard about it if it hadn't been mentioned on here, thanks PH.
It's not great literature, but is ideal to put on my kindle and read when I get a spare 5 minutes here and there.
It's not great literature, but is ideal to put on my kindle and read when I get a spare 5 minutes here and there.
jmorgan said:
jmorgan said:
Then on to the Absolution Gap as part of the sommit or another trilogy.
Well, what a let down, building up to a good gloomy ending as opposed to Mr Ha,iltons ending, and it disappeared up itself??? Good story, until the end. Damnit.I liked Pushing Ice. I don't think I would have picked it up if it wasn't Alastair Reynolds, but at the time I felt that it was very good BDO sci-fi. Almost like a shot at a classic 70's SF book. Reading the wiki post to refresh, I think I would have liked better imagined (alien) villans as being "doglike" seemed a bit too easy.
Reynolds is really good at claustrophobic loneliness.
Has anyone read the Red Mars Trilogy by Kim Stanley Robinson? I remembered thinking it was awesome back in the day, but I think I was a teenager and easily impressed at the time. I'm not sure if the events in it are possible now that we know Mars lacks a strong magnetic field, but it all seemed very plausible at the time.
Reynolds is really good at claustrophobic loneliness.
Has anyone read the Red Mars Trilogy by Kim Stanley Robinson? I remembered thinking it was awesome back in the day, but I think I was a teenager and easily impressed at the time. I'm not sure if the events in it are possible now that we know Mars lacks a strong magnetic field, but it all seemed very plausible at the time.
Edited by glazbagun on Wednesday 4th January 19:56
glazbagun said:
Has anyone read the Red Mars Trilogy by Kim Stanley Robinson? I remembered thinking it was awesome back in the day, but I think I was a teenager and easily impressed at the time. I'm not sure if the events in it are possible now that we know Mars lacks a strong magnetic field, but it all seemed very plausible at the time.
Yes - think I've read them 3 or 4 times now.They seem rather idealistic in some ways, but are still epic novels with good characterisation and serious breadth...among my favourites ever.
Not sure if this has been mentioned already but just started the Long Earth series by Terry Pratchet and Stephen Baxter after being recommended them by a friend. I'm only about half way through the first book but enjoying it immensely so far. Real page turner that's hard to put down.
Guvernator said:
Not sure if this has been mentioned already but just started the Long Earth series by Terry Pratchet and Stephen Baxter after being recommended them by a friend. I'm only about half way through the first book but enjoying it immensely so far. Real page turner that's hard to put down.
I barely finished it, found it so dull and didn't even contemplate the sequels. Was very disappointed as I thought I'd found another series to work through!Gassing Station | Books and Literature | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff