what are you reading?

[Einherjar86]

I'm on the second book of R. Scott Bakker's Prince of Nothing trilogy (The Warrior Prophet).

I gave up on Jordan's Wheel of Time in the middle of the third book. Maybe I'll try and pick it up again someday. The writing was just so horrible.

Bakker's trilogy is very good; I'd compare it with Martin's series, but on a different scope. Bakker writes in an interesting way. Sometimes he writes from a kind of omniscient overhead narrator who looks down on everything. There's no dialogue in these portions, but Bakker looks down upon large events like armies moving and battles and describes them in a very remote, disconnected manner. Then he swoops down and writes in a third person limited from certain characters' perspectives to create a more personal feel. It's a really cool, interesting style. And the books are very philosophical and psychological, which I love.

 

[derek]

Finally someone who feels the same about Jordan. I often feel the gimmick (for lack of a better word) of the series carries people on reading it when, I think anyways, the writing and narratives are quite pedestrian.

I'll investigate this Bakker chap.

 

[Einherjar86]

He'a a very intelligent and concise writer. He's quickly becoming one of my favorite fantasy authors along with George R.R. Martin.

 

[tagradh]

Currently reading Ian Banks 'The Algebraist', Brian Herbert's 'Sandworms of Dune', Alastair Reynolds 'Diamond Dogs, Turqoise Days' and David Weber's 'Off Armageddon Reef'.

 

[derek]

Let us know how you like the Algebraist. I've not really had anyone to talk to about it, ever.

 

[tagradh]

Let us know how you like the Algebraist. I've not really had anyone to talk to about it, ever.

Of all the books I mentioned I've probably paid the least attention to it tbh. Still, I'm about 200 pages in and it seems pretty cool so far.

 

[derek]

Banks is a great Sci-Fi writer, he does some things better than others but I have a lot of time for him.

 

[Einherjar86]

Finished The Warrior Prophet by Bakker. It had an incredible climax and a very enticing ending. I can't wait to begin the final book!

It amazes me how engaging this series is. Bakker really gets you to think, and he always keeps you questioning each character's intentions and plans. Religious and philosophical references are rampant throughout the book, and they're used in such interesting ways (a certain school of sorcerer's possessing a knowledge called the Gnosis, a thirty-three year old monk who uses heightened forms of logic to pass as a prophet, this form of logic is called the Logos, etc.). What I really love about the books is how Bakker shows how extreme intellect and understanding of logic can be used to mislead and manipulate the weak-minded (or "true believers"). One of the main characters, Kellhus, possesses this heightened intellectual form of logic (The Logos), and uses it to bend characters to his will. He believes things such as religion, culture, and history are chains that bind people and govern their decisions. Kellhus is free of such bonds, and he uses this to his advantage, turning other characters' own beliefs and biases against them to achieve his own ends (also, I find this to be an interesting adaptation of the "Christ the Logos" belief). He understands their desires, knows why they think what they do, and where such thoughts come from. Essentially, he tells them what they want to hear.

To go into much more detail would be to spoil the wonder and uniqueness of the story. There's such a rich and detailed backstory and philosophy to the series, it's truly revolutionary in the genre of epic fantasy.

 

[derek]

Ok, ok. I'll have a look next time I need to get some new reading materials.

 

[Einherjar86]

Not trying to push it on anyone; just had to put my extreme appreciation into words somewhere.

 

[chuj666]

Satan Burger - Carlton Mellick III

Fuckin sick and twisted

 

[derek]

It's good, for sure. Certainly better than the satanic bible.

 

[Hallucinations]

Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. It's so intense and makes me want to scream out with frustration.

 

[Einherjar86]

Finished The Thousandfold Thought by R. Scott Bakker, so I'm done with the trilogy. It was worth it. Incredible fantasy. Can't wait for the next trilogy!

Now I'm reading House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski. It's one of the most interesting, creative, and terrifying books I've ever read.

 

[derek]

AJP Taylor's German History Volumes. Good old fashioned historiography. They've aged very well, and constitute his best work, I think.

 

[Thoth-Amon]

STILL reading Anna Karenina... very very slow but good... that's how War and Peace was also though I like the latter more so far.

 

[derek]

War and Peace can be a slog, but it's one of those ultimately worth it sorta deals.

 

[Thoth-Amon]

War and Peace can be a slog, but it's one of those ultimately worth it sorta deals.

exactly

 

[tagradh]

I read Sandworms Of Dune today, pretty good.

 

[Immortal Souls]

I am reading the book 1984 by george orwell.