CiG
Approximately Infinite Universe
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The Books/Reading Thread
- Thread starter Matt
- Start date
It's much better than the movie series, that's for sure. I read and re-read those things like crazy when I was younger.
I'm currently in need of some new material to read. Anyone reading anything cool that they'd like to recommend?
Einherjar86
Active Member
If you're into hardcore sci-fi, and don't mind prose reminiscent of early P.K. Dick, this book is a fucking treat. Crazy imaginative story, and the first of a trilogy.
CiG
Approximately Infinite Universe
RE: 'Fulgrim' is so breathtaking and draining in its dense epicness.
Reading the final paragraph is like coming down from a huge high, it's almost as if that whole time I wasn't breathing until now.
2nd time around reading it and I was really struck by the parallels between the way the Socratic philosophy fragmented into (what makes up the main body of Hellenistic philosophy) the 3 main philosophies of: stoicism, epicureanism and skepticism vs. the way the Emperor of Mankind as the ideal of perfection fragmented into Ferrus Manus' stoic directness, refusal to give much thought to the morrow and his attempt to simplify all thought and action as a means to expunge weakness from the potential fuzzy nuance which might dilute his strength and Fulgrim's epicurean self-indulgence and hedonistic idea that pleasure is the only good and good leads to perfection.
(Both stoicism and epicureanism of course forming the very imperfections that led to their undoing.)
Just a thought which probably makes no sense, especially without having read the book.
No idea which primarch would represent skepticism though.
Anyways, onto:
Reading the final paragraph is like coming down from a huge high, it's almost as if that whole time I wasn't breathing until now.
2nd time around reading it and I was really struck by the parallels between the way the Socratic philosophy fragmented into (what makes up the main body of Hellenistic philosophy) the 3 main philosophies of: stoicism, epicureanism and skepticism vs. the way the Emperor of Mankind as the ideal of perfection fragmented into Ferrus Manus' stoic directness, refusal to give much thought to the morrow and his attempt to simplify all thought and action as a means to expunge weakness from the potential fuzzy nuance which might dilute his strength and Fulgrim's epicurean self-indulgence and hedonistic idea that pleasure is the only good and good leads to perfection.
(Both stoicism and epicureanism of course forming the very imperfections that led to their undoing.)
Just a thought which probably makes no sense, especially without having read the book.
No idea which primarch would represent skepticism though.
Anyways, onto:
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Einherjar86
Active Member
I don't read these, but sounds pretty cool. I didn't realize they were historical fantasy...?
CiG
Approximately Infinite Universe
Even though the Warhammer 40k universe is actually set in a galaxy which saw Einstein, Hitler, Socrates, Alexander the Great, Genghis Khan etc (they just existed so far back in time that they're thought of more as a footnote to more recent yet still ancient philosophers) and ancient civilizations are referenced albeit you have to spot them as the words are usually changed a bit to imply that the English language has changed somewhat (eg in a book, I forget which, Egyptian paganism and Egyptian rulers are mentioned briefly but the spelling is changed to "Gyptian" that kind of thing), the whole Roman/Greek philosophy is just my observation and would probably be picked apart by anybody well read on the subject lol.
In Warhammer 40k, the story basically goes: old earth humans eventually went into space, built a small civilization on the moon, eventually used the moon as a military platform to colonize the galaxy, then there was a huge war and everything fell apart into an age of chaos, then a figure known as The Emperor reconquers old earth, unifies it via making a pact with the Mars mechanicum (basically Mars split off from the colony and became its own sovereign planet prior, eventually acting as the sole manufacturer of war weaponry) and then begins his campaign to reunify the galaxy and reclaim old colonized planets that fell to despotism or alien invasion etc.
It's not even hard sci-fi, it's extreme sci-fi mixed with extreme fantasy. Of course it helps to have an interest in the tabletop game.
In Warhammer 40k, the story basically goes: old earth humans eventually went into space, built a small civilization on the moon, eventually used the moon as a military platform to colonize the galaxy, then there was a huge war and everything fell apart into an age of chaos, then a figure known as The Emperor reconquers old earth, unifies it via making a pact with the Mars mechanicum (basically Mars split off from the colony and became its own sovereign planet prior, eventually acting as the sole manufacturer of war weaponry) and then begins his campaign to reunify the galaxy and reclaim old colonized planets that fell to despotism or alien invasion etc.
It's not even hard sci-fi, it's extreme sci-fi mixed with extreme fantasy. Of course it helps to have an interest in the tabletop game.
Einherjar86
Active Member
Haha, I didn't realize it was inspired by a game. I glanced quickly at the google result for Horus Heresy and just saw that it's a fantasy series by multiple authors. I guess it makes more sense now that I know it's a game...
Anom@nder Rake
lives on the internet
I saw there was some official gmd in-crowd fantasy discussion a couple pages back so this should be somewhat relevant. Erikson is apparently working on a Karsa Orlong book and is putting the Kharkanas Trilogy on hold. A Karsa Orlong novel sounds promising as I thought the beginning to House of Chains was one of the best parts about the entire series. I still haven't read the first two books of the the Kharkanas Trilogy and probably won't until there is at least a release date for the last book.
no country for old wainds
Active Member
- Nov 23, 2002
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oh man that rules, one of my favourite characters ever in anything. although i'm not sure he really needs his own book given he had the whole opening book of HOUSE OF CHAINS to himself? guess we'll see.
CiG
Approximately Infinite Universe
Indeed, though imo the writers involved don't stray too stylistically from each other so it really just reads as if it's all by one writer. You don't really need to play the game to get it though, my brother reads WH books and has never played the game in his life, but it is niche as hell.
Einherjar86
Active Member
EspaDa
Damage Case
I have almost all the Hemmingway books in paperback, and it is quite a coincidence that I have been thinking about commencing reading through them, today. I read A farewell to arms many years ago and cant remember too much about it, and I read another, which without perusing the titles cant remember the name of. Is `The Sun also rises` any good? What is it about ( I have this book and could start with it.
EspaDa
Damage Case
I bought it not so long ago. I also have to commence reading it. It was a blind buy so to speak as I thought it was A Farewell to Arms' twin that takes up war as a main theme.
Vilden
From the holy kingdom of Harmonia
:'(Ursula K. Le Guin passed away.
I've not read much by her but I love the Earthsea stuff and the only scifi I've read, The Left Hand of Darkness was great I think!
Einherjar86
Active Member
It's good, vintage Hemingway. Expats in Europe, characters suffering from variations of PTSD, illicit love affairs, etc. There are also several passages on the Running of the Bulls, if I recall correctly. I'm not a huge Hemingway fan, but The Sun Also Rises is a good story.
Left Hand is one of my favorite sci-fi novels. I love that book.
unknown
fuck ftagn
I'm on book 5 of Wheel of Time. I remember a few of you warning me not to start it lol. Book 4 was a real chore to get through. I also have Sanderson's Way of Kings on deck for after I finish the next Jordan book
Erikson's whole saga has also been on my list for a while. Too many books...
(...I, too, have not read any Harry Potter books or seen the movies)
