January '11 - Fantasy Reading Poll

Haroun and the Sea of Stories by Salman Rushdie

Nominations so far:

1. Boy in Darkness by Mervyn Peake

2. The Colour of Magic by Terry Pratchett

3. Grendel by John Gardner

4. The Once and Future King by T.H.White

5. Kafka on the Shore by Haruki Murakami

6. Stardust by Neil Gaiman

7. Cosmicomics by Italo Calvino

8. The City and the City by China Mieville

9. Haroun and the Sea of Stories by Salman Rushdie

Last nomination's up for grabs!

Reckon a Pratchett/Murakami two-horse-race is nailed on here!

Reckon a Pratchett/Murakami two-horse-race is nailed on here!

That depends upon who votes, their reading experiences, their tastes, and what they are interested in reading at the moment. Based solely on the aesthetic merits of the literature at hand, Calvino would be a shoo-in.

Haha, I've read pretty much every nomination already. I nominated Pratchett because the book is a short light read.

I'm leaning more towards Mieville, since that book was the 2009 Hugo recipient.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by OrphanPip

Haha, I've read pretty much every nomination already. I nominated Pratchett because the book is a short light read.

I'm leaning more towards Mieville, since that book was the 2009 Hugo recipient.

---

Mieville is good stuff!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Drkshadow03

Mieville is good stuff!

---

Ya, his output has really been something, considering he's a relatively young author.

I usually read the Hugo winner every year anyway, so it would be nice to have a group to read this book with.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by OrphanPip

Ya, his output has really been something, considering he's a relatively young author.

I usually read the Hugo winner every year anyway, so it would be nice to have a group to read this book with.

---

I've only read Perdido St Station, but I was impressed. I didn't know what to expect all the way through. It was interesting stuff.

I'd like to nominate Winter's tale by Mark Helprin

What's the deal with cosmicomics? I've heard that its difficult to get the complete collection.

http://www.amazon.com/Cosmicomics-It...5&sr=8-1-spell

Is that all of them?

Of the nominees, Calvino and Mieville are the ones I'd most like to read. I've read Calvino before and not been disappointed. Though I think Mieville is the more representative "genre" novelist.

Edit: I like Murakami too, but I've read Kafka on the Shore only last year.

I nominate "She" by H. Rider Haggard. I read the novel years ago and loved it.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Janine

I nominate "She" by H. Rider Haggard. I read the novel years ago and loved it.

---

We have already got the 10 nominations needed, I am afraid, Janine.

Maybe next time :)

Once and Future King is one of the most boring books I have ever read.

I liked the Once and Future King. I read it as a kid and then found Disney had ripped it off in The Sword in the Stone. (I did like that too though).

I've read the Colur of Magic, which is amusing, though not as funny as it's billed. Pratchett has cornered the Fantasy spoof market, yet I get the feeling that he missed writing in a more serious vein - fantasy thrillers. The plot and ideas are there - which make books like Thud and Feet of Clay quite good, but there is too much stereotyping for it to be fully successful as comedy in my view.

I've heard of Haroun and the Sea of Stories - Rushdie is a great writer, and I wouldn't mind reading anything by him. Apart from Mieville, I'm not familiar with the others. It should be good whatever the outcome.