Completed reading Dune. I liked it a lot but I can't really bring myself to see it as a sci-fic classic.
That's odd...how so?
---------- Post added at 11:54 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:43 PM ----------
I loved the Name of the Wind. It was a really well written book with a good flow and interesting quirky characters. Then came the second book and peed on the parade. I didn't find the language as appealing as in the first one and the story and particulary the character of Kvothe went so ridiculously over the top that in my opinion it lost all credibility. And on top of that, while during the book a lot happened, in the end nothing happened. I felt like the overall story didn't move an inch nor did our protagonist grow as a person. And I think thr character growth was the intended main point of the book. But to me it felt like it was just trying hard to cover every single bit of the "legendary kingkiller" rumors and gossip that was tossed in the air in the first book. It was unnecessary and made it all feel very flat. In my opinion Kvothe became a Mary Sue. Or whatever the male equivalent of that is.
The first book was great though, and the second laid at least a way interesting set ups, so I'll most likely finish the trilogy when the last part comes out.
Interesting opinion...I don't think credibility was actually a thing to be achieved, nor was character growth the main goal
Firstly, it was said a few times, that this is a story related by older Kvothe as he sees fit, it was an actual plot point as well...so with this first person subjectivity in mind, I actually welcomed the 'over the top' parts of the second book...for me the 2nd book was an opportunity to explore some of the rest of the world and that fantastic over the top journey was one of the highlights
I see lots of fantasy authors trying to go for measured approach to storytelling...let's give everything a purpose, let's write characters so people can relate to them or to have credibility...I'm beginning to appreciate authors who can set up situations or can put characters in a context, where they can just go all out
...
As of my reading lately, I'm on my second part of the "Great hard Sci-fi trinity of the 80s". During the summer I read Enders Game, which was in my opinion brilliant, particulary as curious detail I loved how it basicly predicted the internet as it is now. Now I'm reading Dune. Which I know is from 60s, but it was first distributed in Finland during the 80s. So far interesting, though the terminology is a bit confusing. After that Ill start with Hyperion.
On the side as light and speedy entertainment I read The Mockingjay. It was okay, pretty well flowing youth literature, but not anything particulary interesting. My respect to the visualization of the Hunger games films raised a bar though.
Try Neuromancer as part of your 80s reading journey (if you haven't already)
---------- Post added February 08, 2015 at 12:10 AM ---------- Previous post was February 07, 2015 at 11:54 PM ----------
Ok...
So I said I was going to start The Darkness that Comes Before...and it was an interesting read...
Well I actually finished a series of 5 books...the series is divided into 2 (a finished trilogy and an unfinished trilogy as direct sequel), which will be followed by an ending trilogy, so I recommend waiting for at least the 2nd trilogy to finish until you dive into this...so Prince of Nothing trilogy and soon to be finished Aspect-Emperor trilogy
The main reason for this is that this is one of those series that can't be appreciated that much, unless you have the bigger picture or at least a part of it...
Many times the pace is dragged down by philosophical conversations and/or ramblings of various characters, but this is actually a feature and a driving force of the series (this is confirmed by the author actually and tbh I like it too
)...so if you like to do some mental exercise while getting your fantasy fix, then this is a good book series to read...
There are lots of personal anguishes and sufferings, and sometimes it seems that the author is concentrating on them a bit too much IMO...
The world is fresh, and has a rich history(something that I love a lot), but there's a heavy dose of inspiration from real world cultures and lots parallels are drawn with those...
I think it's a fresh take on storytelling, with some exaggeration when it comes to "the dramatic", and a rich world, with really, really weird names
...so while it will be hard to get accustomed to, I would still recommend this series (just wait until the 2nd trilogy finishes
)
Well I liked the first so I will see about the rest of them
It has something for everyone: action, romance, betrayal, magic, revenge...
