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On April 25 2014 05:12 Djzapz wrote:I've started reading the Malazan Book of the Fallen series by Steven Erikson: ![[image loading]](http://www.fantasybookreview.co.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/malazan-books.jpg) I've only now just started, and I'm really happy only few chapters. I'm told that it's similar to A Song of Ice and Fire, which I read while trailing behind the show. It already seems very different but it has already peaked my interest. I'll also read The Black Company by Glen Cook, also because I'm told it's similar to GoT in some ways. ![[image loading]](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/9/97/The_Black_Company.jpg) I'm also thinking about reading the "Culture" series from Iain M. Banks ![[image loading]](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/5/53/Banksphlebas.jpg) Has anybody read this? The concept seems to be really interesting. ...
IMHO
While Black Company is okay, it's not on the same quality level as the other novels you're mentioning.
I find "The Malazan Book of the Fallen" too be way better than "Song of Ice and Fire", on almost every account. Especially the way Erikson starts chapters and you have to guess where and to who stuff is happening from environment and context.
As for Banks, I'm halfway through his Culture novels and Consider Phlebas is a very nice novel. Actually funny that you mentions Black Company, because I find it to be very similar to Consider Phlebas in pace, writing style and perspective, only that that Banks is a way better author than Cook. I've not yet read a bad novel by banks, only less Excellent. (The state of the Art was so so, and Against a Dark Background was a bit unpolished).
I hope you like them, and if you do, enjoy them, because these are some of the best books I've read in my life in the genre.
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I tried to read Paolini's Inheritance Cycle or as I like to call it the: 'Elves are better at everything and Eragon is also pretty cool cycle'. At some point the endless passages of elvish superiority just starts becoming a drag. Do you guys think finishing the books is worth it anyway?
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I appreciate Chomsky. No bullshit with him.
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On April 25 2014 21:53 corumjhaelen wrote:
Zizek>>>>>Chomsky.
yes
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So which do I start first, The Way of Kings or the massive Malazan Book of the Fallen?
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Norway25712 Posts
I've been reading nothing but Bukowski lately, and I absolutely love opretty much everything I've read by him so far, with the exception of some of his "short stories" that were dug up after he died.
Sadly, there's not much I haven't read at the local library, so I need to move on to someone else. Other authors I''ve really enjoyed are Kurt Vonnegut, Mohsin Hamed, Anthony Burgess, Erlend Loe, Stephen King. I don't mind fantasy either, but I'm not really interested in reading that now.
Anyone got any recomendations? Social commentary, dark humor. If it's written in a crude, liquor-infused style, chances are I'll love it.
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More heroin than liquor but try Burroughs' Naked Lunch.
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On April 25 2014 17:33 lungic wrote:Show nested quote +On April 25 2014 05:12 Djzapz wrote:I've started reading the Malazan Book of the Fallen series by Steven Erikson: I've only now just started, and I'm really happy only few chapters. I'm told that it's similar to A Song of Ice and Fire, which I read while trailing behind the show. It already seems very different but it has already peaked my interest. I'll also read The Black Company by Glen Cook, also because I'm told it's similar to GoT in some ways. I'm also thinking about reading the "Culture" series from Iain M. Banks Has anybody read this? The concept seems to be really interesting. ... IMHO While Black Company is okay, it's not on the same quality level as the other novels you're mentioning. I find "The Malazan Book of the Fallen" too be way better than "Song of Ice and Fire", on almost every account. Especially the way Erikson starts chapters and you have to guess where and to who stuff is happening from environment and context. As for Banks, I'm halfway through his Culture novels and Consider Phlebas is a very nice novel. Actually funny that you mentions Black Company, because I find it to be very similar to Consider Phlebas in pace, writing style and perspective, only that that Banks is a way better author than Cook. I've not yet read a bad novel by banks, only less Excellent. (The state of the Art was so so, and Against a Dark Background was a bit unpolished). I hope you like them, and if you do, enjoy them, because these are some of the best books I've read in my life in the genre.
Thanks, I think I'll give The Black Company a shot nonetheless, I got the "chronicles" containing the first three books for $8.
As for Malazan, it's a really tough read for me so while it might very well be better than Song of Ice and Fire, I'm having a hard time following his narrative. I haven't been reading a lot of fantasy so I'm not familiar with the styles and the weird prose. You say it's great that you have to guess where and who's doing what - but it confuses me.
In chap 2, we hear about this character who's cut in a half and he's dying but some magic is being used on him presumably to heal him. Then there's a gap between paragraphs and suddenly he's fine. After that, I kept on reading only to find out that it was a flashforward and we found out the circumstances in which the guy got cut in a half... All that time I was struggling to figure out what was going on, why and what the hell in general. Granted, when I did understand it, it was pretty damn good - but I'm not used to that.
I read a lot in English for work and school but I'm only starting to read fantasy, really. So I guess there's going to be a bit of a learning curve.
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On April 25 2014 23:53 Djzapz wrote:Show nested quote +On April 25 2014 17:33 lungic wrote:On April 25 2014 05:12 Djzapz wrote:I've started reading the Malazan Book of the Fallen series by Steven Erikson: I've only now just started, and I'm really happy only few chapters. I'm told that it's similar to A Song of Ice and Fire, which I read while trailing behind the show. It already seems very different but it has already peaked my interest. I'll also read The Black Company by Glen Cook, also because I'm told it's similar to GoT in some ways. I'm also thinking about reading the "Culture" series from Iain M. Banks Has anybody read this? The concept seems to be really interesting. ... IMHO While Black Company is okay, it's not on the same quality level as the other novels you're mentioning. I find "The Malazan Book of the Fallen" too be way better than "Song of Ice and Fire", on almost every account. Especially the way Erikson starts chapters and you have to guess where and to who stuff is happening from environment and context. As for Banks, I'm halfway through his Culture novels and Consider Phlebas is a very nice novel. Actually funny that you mentions Black Company, because I find it to be very similar to Consider Phlebas in pace, writing style and perspective, only that that Banks is a way better author than Cook. I've not yet read a bad novel by banks, only less Excellent. (The state of the Art was so so, and Against a Dark Background was a bit unpolished). I hope you like them, and if you do, enjoy them, because these are some of the best books I've read in my life in the genre. Thanks, I think I'll give The Black Company a shot nonetheless, I got the "chronicles" containing the first three books for $8. As for Malazan, it's a really tough read for me so while it might very well be better than Song of Ice and Fire, I'm having a hard time following his narrative. I haven't been reading a lot of fantasy so I'm not familiar with the styles and the weird prose. You say it's great that you have to guess where and who's doing what - but it confuses me. In chap 2, we hear about this character who's cut in a half and he's dying but some magic is being used on him presumably to heal him. Then there's a gap between paragraphs and suddenly he's fine. After that, I kept on reading only to find out that it was a flashforward and we found out the circumstances in which the guy got cut in a half... All that time I was struggling to figure out what was going on, why and what the hell in general. Granted, when I did understand it, it was pretty damn good - but I'm not used to that. I read a lot in English for work and school but I'm only starting to read fantasy, really. So I guess there's going to be a bit of a learning curve.
I tried to get into BC 3 times, failed every time  Dunno, there's just something that prevents me from being completely immersed there.
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On April 26 2014 01:08 Manit0u wrote:Show nested quote +On April 25 2014 23:53 Djzapz wrote:On April 25 2014 17:33 lungic wrote:On April 25 2014 05:12 Djzapz wrote:I've started reading the Malazan Book of the Fallen series by Steven Erikson: I've only now just started, and I'm really happy only few chapters. I'm told that it's similar to A Song of Ice and Fire, which I read while trailing behind the show. It already seems very different but it has already peaked my interest. I'll also read The Black Company by Glen Cook, also because I'm told it's similar to GoT in some ways. I'm also thinking about reading the "Culture" series from Iain M. Banks Has anybody read this? The concept seems to be really interesting. ... IMHO While Black Company is okay, it's not on the same quality level as the other novels you're mentioning. I find "The Malazan Book of the Fallen" too be way better than "Song of Ice and Fire", on almost every account. Especially the way Erikson starts chapters and you have to guess where and to who stuff is happening from environment and context. As for Banks, I'm halfway through his Culture novels and Consider Phlebas is a very nice novel. Actually funny that you mentions Black Company, because I find it to be very similar to Consider Phlebas in pace, writing style and perspective, only that that Banks is a way better author than Cook. I've not yet read a bad novel by banks, only less Excellent. (The state of the Art was so so, and Against a Dark Background was a bit unpolished). I hope you like them, and if you do, enjoy them, because these are some of the best books I've read in my life in the genre. Thanks, I think I'll give The Black Company a shot nonetheless, I got the "chronicles" containing the first three books for $8. As for Malazan, it's a really tough read for me so while it might very well be better than Song of Ice and Fire, I'm having a hard time following his narrative. I haven't been reading a lot of fantasy so I'm not familiar with the styles and the weird prose. You say it's great that you have to guess where and who's doing what - but it confuses me. In chap 2, we hear about this character who's cut in a half and he's dying but some magic is being used on him presumably to heal him. Then there's a gap between paragraphs and suddenly he's fine. After that, I kept on reading only to find out that it was a flashforward and we found out the circumstances in which the guy got cut in a half... All that time I was struggling to figure out what was going on, why and what the hell in general. Granted, when I did understand it, it was pretty damn good - but I'm not used to that. I read a lot in English for work and school but I'm only starting to read fantasy, really. So I guess there's going to be a bit of a learning curve. I tried to get into BC 3 times, failed every time Dunno, there's just something that prevents me from being completely immersed there.
I haven't started yet, might not make it. Who knows. That's why I'm looking for more things to pick up!
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On April 25 2014 22:20 Westy wrote:
So which do I start first, The Way of Kings or the massive Malazan Book of the Fallen?
The Way of Kings is way, way better imo. I stopped halfwat at the third book of Malazan and never looked back, can't see what is so awesome about the saga really.
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On April 25 2014 23:53 Djzapz wrote:Show nested quote +On April 25 2014 17:33 lungic wrote:On April 25 2014 05:12 Djzapz wrote:I've started reading the Malazan Book of the Fallen series by Steven Erikson: I've only now just started, and I'm really happy only few chapters. I'm told that it's similar to A Song of Ice and Fire, which I read while trailing behind the show. It already seems very different but it has already peaked my interest. I'll also read The Black Company by Glen Cook, also because I'm told it's similar to GoT in some ways. I'm also thinking about reading the "Culture" series from Iain M. Banks Has anybody read this? The concept seems to be really interesting. ... IMHO While Black Company is okay, it's not on the same quality level as the other novels you're mentioning. I find "The Malazan Book of the Fallen" too be way better than "Song of Ice and Fire", on almost every account. Especially the way Erikson starts chapters and you have to guess where and to who stuff is happening from environment and context. As for Banks, I'm halfway through his Culture novels and Consider Phlebas is a very nice novel. Actually funny that you mentions Black Company, because I find it to be very similar to Consider Phlebas in pace, writing style and perspective, only that that Banks is a way better author than Cook. I've not yet read a bad novel by banks, only less Excellent. (The state of the Art was so so, and Against a Dark Background was a bit unpolished). I hope you like them, and if you do, enjoy them, because these are some of the best books I've read in my life in the genre. Thanks, I think I'll give The Black Company a shot nonetheless, I got the "chronicles" containing the first three books for $8. As for Malazan, it's a really tough read for me so while it might very well be better than Song of Ice and Fire, I'm having a hard time following his narrative. I haven't been reading a lot of fantasy so I'm not familiar with the styles and the weird prose. You say it's great that you have to guess where and who's doing what - but it confuses me. In chap 2, we hear about this character who's cut in a half and he's dying but some magic is being used on him presumably to heal him. Then there's a gap between paragraphs and suddenly he's fine. After that, I kept on reading only to find out that it was a flashforward and we found out the circumstances in which the guy got cut in a half... All that time I was struggling to figure out what was going on, why and what the hell in general. Granted, when I did thatunderstand it, it was pretty damn good - but I'm not used to that. I read a lot in English for work and school but I'm only starting to read fantasy, really. So I guess there's going to be a bit of a learning curve.
Well, the Malazan tale can be a bit daunting, and requires a bit a paitience to appreciate fully. The beginning is weird and does not really tell you anything you can understand. They're at some random place, people are dying, stuff's happening, not much information to go by. First book is decent, but Duikers accord of the chain of dogs in the second book, is among the best fantasy I've read. But I've got a tendency to love really complex stories. But if you struggle with the language I see no reason why you shouldn't postpone it until it get's a bit easier to read. Nothing good comes from forcing yourself to read something you don't want to.
Cook is better in that way, because both story and language is easier to follow. Banks is harder to read (in general) , but Consider Phlebas is a very nice "generic" sci-fi story, that could be an excellent film. Don't expect a happy story though 
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On April 26 2014 03:21 lungic wrote:Show nested quote +On April 25 2014 23:53 Djzapz wrote:On April 25 2014 17:33 lungic wrote:On April 25 2014 05:12 Djzapz wrote:I've started reading the Malazan Book of the Fallen series by Steven Erikson: I've only now just started, and I'm really happy only few chapters. I'm told that it's similar to A Song of Ice and Fire, which I read while trailing behind the show. It already seems very different but it has already peaked my interest. I'll also read The Black Company by Glen Cook, also because I'm told it's similar to GoT in some ways. I'm also thinking about reading the "Culture" series from Iain M. Banks Has anybody read this? The concept seems to be really interesting. ... IMHO While Black Company is okay, it's not on the same quality level as the other novels you're mentioning. I find "The Malazan Book of the Fallen" too be way better than "Song of Ice and Fire", on almost every account. Especially the way Erikson starts chapters and you have to guess where and to who stuff is happening from environment and context. As for Banks, I'm halfway through his Culture novels and Consider Phlebas is a very nice novel. Actually funny that you mentions Black Company, because I find it to be very similar to Consider Phlebas in pace, writing style and perspective, only that that Banks is a way better author than Cook. I've not yet read a bad novel by banks, only less Excellent. (The state of the Art was so so, and Against a Dark Background was a bit unpolished). I hope you like them, and if you do, enjoy them, because these are some of the best books I've read in my life in the genre. Thanks, I think I'll give The Black Company a shot nonetheless, I got the "chronicles" containing the first three books for $8. As for Malazan, it's a really tough read for me so while it might very well be better than Song of Ice and Fire, I'm having a hard time following his narrative. I haven't been reading a lot of fantasy so I'm not familiar with the styles and the weird prose. You say it's great that you have to guess where and who's doing what - but it confuses me. In chap 2, we hear about this character who's cut in a half and he's dying but some magic is being used on him presumably to heal him. Then there's a gap between paragraphs and suddenly he's fine. After that, I kept on reading only to find out that it was a flashforward and we found out the circumstances in which the guy got cut in a half... All that time I was struggling to figure out what was going on, why and what the hell in general. Granted, when I did thatunderstand it, it was pretty damn good - but I'm not used to that. I read a lot in English for work and school but I'm only starting to read fantasy, really. So I guess there's going to be a bit of a learning curve. Well, the Malazan tale can be a bit daunting, and requires a bit a paitience to appreciate fully. The beginning is weird and does not really tell you anything you can understand. They're at some random place, people are dying, stuff's happening, not much information to go by. First book is decent, but Duikers accord of the chain of dogs in the second book, is among the best fantasy I've read. But I've got a tendency to love really complex stories. But if you struggle with the language I see no reason why you shouldn't postpone it until it get's a bit easier to read. Nothing good comes from forcing yourself to read something you don't want to. Cook is better in that way, because both story and language is easier to follow. Banks is harder to read (in general) , but Consider Phlebas is a very nice "generic" sci-fi story, that could be an excellent film. Don't expect a happy story though
I just ordered the first 3 books of the Culture series. I won't stop just because I'm having a hard time reading Malazan though - so far it just means that it takes a bit of time and effort. I love that.
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I bought my wife a kindle for her birthday, i want to fill it up with some good stuff but to be honest i am not very much into reading. I already have some history books (she likes that stuff especially the bad parts, dont ask still hasnt figured out why) and twilight (for trolling  ). Now i am looking for a serius novel with a dark(dystopian) setting in terms of society, something in the direction of 1984 or Hunger Games in terms of "World" (without teenargers). Would be nice if someone could recommend something in that direction for me, thank you!
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If she hasn't read Brave New World by Aldous Huxley I recommend that. It's not as dark as 1984 but it's still really amazing. The Road was also pretty good but it's about a post-apocalyptic earth that's destroyed by nuclear warfare although that's never outright stated. It's kind of hard to read because Cormack McCarthy refuses to use commas, quotation marks, or question marks, but it's still a pretty good story with some Biblical allegory in it. It doesn't really talk much about society though. Still, both of those were pretty good books and neither of them is too long.
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Baa?21247 Posts
On April 26 2014 03:46 MtlGuitarist97 wrote:
If she hasn't read Brave New World by Aldous Huxley I recommend that. It's not as dark as 1984 but it's still really amazing.
Uh...
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On April 26 2014 04:16 Carnivorous Sheep wrote:Show nested quote +On April 26 2014 03:46 MtlGuitarist97 wrote:
If she hasn't read Brave New World by Aldous Huxley I recommend that. It's not as dark as 1984 but it's still really amazing. Uh...
It's pretty good  Maybe not amazing but still good...
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Baa?21247 Posts
More like the dark part...
Pretty sure it's just as "dark" as 1984...
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EPT
