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In this summer, for my vacations, I've decided to re-read several of sci-fi books, with some popular new ones, and opted for a ebook reader (kindle) to avoid ca
by jlourenco27 7y ago
In this summer, for my vacations, I've decided to re-read several of sci-fi books, with some popular new ones, and opted for a ebook reader (kindle) to avoid carring several pounds of books to the beach. Started with Isaac Azimov's Foundation triology (all), made a jump to William Gibson's Neuromancer and now, just ended Frank Herbert's Dune (1st volume only).
Coincidence is seeing this article just after returning from the vacation's, still imagining riding on a Shai-Hulud.
The only true comment that would like to add to this thread regarding Blanch's "The Sabre Paradise" is something that I've heard from an old teacher: most, probably all the books are derived from Homer's Odyssey; which created most of the writing styles, characters constructions and interactions, world creations, etc. After, there's not a single book that brought anything new to the writing, except the way you mix or the characters that you replace.
But even with this idea in mind, we cannot say that reading Homer's Odyssey means that you've read ALL the books, and there isn't not even that this is the best of books. To be honest I like the imagination created by it, but it's real "drag" if you try reading it...
At the end, for me at least, what counts is the mood: I prefer Dune over "The Sabre Paradise", the same way that I prefer J.R.Talkien's Lord of the Rings over "All Quiets on Western Front", even if both are based on the developments of the Great World War (I).
If you have time (and mood) read'em all... But still, keep away from "Odyssey" (there are a lot of more fun versions of the same story)! :)
PS: My next books in line are the (new for me) "Hyperion" and "Three Body Problem" from Liu Cixin. And recommended detours? :)
- Nition 7y agoJust want to add that the Three Body Problem trilogy is exceptionally good. The first book is the slowest, so make sure you read the other two as well. Each one builds up on the last.
- Herodotus38 7y agoMy opinion is to read 3 body problem first and complete the trilogy. I like Hyperion and read all the series but found each subsequent book less satisfying than the last (kind of like reading the sequels to Ender's Game). On the other hand, the series by Cixin gets even better after the first. Have you read The Sparrow or any of Ted Chiang's short stories?
- spappal 7y agoI read Chiang's Exhalation [0] prompted by your question. So much story in so few (6505) words! Great use of a crafted universe to tell a story relevant to us. That's the beauty of sci-fi as I understand it. Worth the 30 minutes. [0]: http://www.nightshadebooks.com/Downloads/Exhalation%20-%20Ted%20Chiang.html http://www.nightshadebooks.com/Downloads/Exhalation%20-%20Te...
- Herodotus38 7y agoThanks, I haven't read it yet, as I wanted to order the new collection it's published in. I really enjoyed his collection of short stories: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stories_of_Your_Life_and_Others https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stories_of_Your_Life_and_Oth...