The Literature Thread

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Knoyleo
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PostRe: The Literature Thread
by Knoyleo » Fri Nov 26, 2021 12:47 pm

Finished reading Dune a little while back, and I absolutely loved it. For a book that's considered to be the foundation of a lot of Sci-fi that followed, and was written 60 years ago, it really doesn't feel like it's aged, or has suffered for having its ideas taken and used elsewhere since. I've read a bit since finishing about people's opinions of the book, and Herbert's writing style, and while I can accept that it's certainly not flower or artistic prose, I think the omniscient narrative style is used really well here. It's not a mystery novel, or a thriller, there's nothing to be gained by hiding information from the reader by obscuring the views of certain characters, or only telling the story from a single perspective. Understanding the competing motivations of characters and their factions actually felt pretty key to the story being told. Equally, I didn't really find the plot or surrounding world difficult to follow, which was another criticism I'd read. While there's a fair amount of invented terms, they're all so well planted in the text, it's not hard to learn what they mean, even without the glossary in the back of the book. It's miles more understandable than something like Neuromancer, for instance.

It's refreshing, still, to read a book that is so unmuddied in its themes, with the Fremen chasing their utopiaian dreams, to pull themselves from their current dystopia, following Paul, into what the reader knows will just be replaced by yet another dystopia. Environmentalism, colonialism, religious fanaticism, capitalism, nepotism, classism, racism, determinism, all are in play at once, weaving amongst each other, and the consequences are always made clear eventually, even if not immediately.

Already itching to start on Dune Messiah, and relieved to discover that is at least a shorter book.

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OrangeRKN
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PostRe: The Literature Thread
by OrangeRKN » Fri Nov 26, 2021 1:16 pm

My problem when I tried reading Dune wasn't in understanding but in feeling like I was reading an encyclopedia on the social hierarchy of another culture without any context as to why. I gave up before I remember any plot happening. I do intend to give it another go being more aware of the effort needed.

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Skarjo
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PostRe: The Literature Thread
by Skarjo » Mon Mar 21, 2022 12:26 am

I'm currently trying to "The Willows, The Wendigo, and Other Horrors : The Best Weird Fiction and Ghost Stories of Algernon Blackwood" (it's this edition - https://www.bookdepository.com/Willows- ... 87&sr=1-18) and it's just so obnoxiously over-annotated that it's getting quite difficult to read.

This isn't really presented as a study guide but half of the annotations are ridiculously obvious 'insights' into the text ('Here, Blackwood is using the contrast that the Englishman smells the bacon whilst the Indian smells the woods to contrast the two cultures' - FASCI-FUCKI-NATING). Some of them are just definitions of really obvious terms (after the phrase 'the leagues of forest ahead of them', it actually takes time to define that leagues were a measure of nautical distance and so what Blackwood meant was 'the forest is big' - ENTHRALLING) and the worst is when he's clearly just writing phonetically to get a strong accent across and the annotator strawberry floating translates it ('Y'ALL BE SUREFOOTED ON DEM TRAILS' - You should take care while walking on the trail - CAPTIVATING INSIGHT).

Like, the Venn diagram of people tracking down collections of weird fiction from the early 1900s and people who don't know what 'leagues of trees' means is two circles.

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Errkal
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PostRe: The Literature Thread
by Errkal » Thu Jul 07, 2022 8:09 am

Just finished The Secret Barrister (the first book) and it was brilliant, bloody worrying and that given the state of our legal system and stuff but a really good read. Well well worth a read

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more heat than light
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PostRe: The Literature Thread
by more heat than light » Thu Jul 21, 2022 3:00 pm

I seem to have rather rediscovered a love for reading and am looking for some recommendations. Here's what I've read most recently...

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My first book back after a lengthy reading absence. Picked this up from an airport before our last holiday. It was an entertaining modern noir told from different viewpoints, none of them particularly likeable. But I enjoyed the ride despite this, and there were some good twisty turns before the (rather abrupt) ending.

7/10

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This is the book that got me properly back into reading. I have no idea what compelled me to pick it up, other than it reviewed really well and the cover looked intriguing. But it's an absolutely beautiful read. Written as existential love letters between two time travelling agents, it's pretentious as strawberry float but utterly engrossing. I've read it twice now and it's one of my favourite novels of all time.

10/10

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This was a fairly frustrating book, which starts out so promisingly but goes in a direction so far removed from where I thought it was going to go. The concept is great, people randomly start to lose their shadows, followed swiftly by their minds. But yeah, it really does disappear up its own arse about halfway through. Shame.

6/10

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I don't know why I went for this one, it's not really my preferred genre. But the reviews were solid and the premise (you have to kidnap a child to save your own - hence 'the chain') sounded promising. But it was a bit generic, and the final third went in a direction I found pretty unsatisfactory.

5/10

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Murderbot is a sarcastic, anxious robot who dislikes humans, and is one of the most entertaining protagonists I can recall. The pace is snappy and the dialogue witty. Sadly it's over far too soon, and the other, equally short stories in the collection seem to come in at over a tenner each. That's too much dollar for a story this slight. I really did enjoy it though.

8/10

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This 'climate change dystopia' type novel was a slow burn, and I took a bit of a break in the middle of it as I was finding it a bit of a slog. Thankfully I took it with me on holiday and finished it off, and overall I enjoyed it a lot. Great relationship between the mother/daughter central characters which eventually made the journey a worthwhile one.

7/10

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My most recent read was an absolute joy, a high-concept fantasy about a man stuck in an endless house with only one other for company. Beautifully plotted and with just enough twists and turns to carry it to it's immensely satisfying conclusion. Highly recommended.

9/10


So yeah, I'm looking for something maybe light sci-fi or fantasy with a clever hook or unique setting. Preferably a standalone novel, no epic sci-fi sagas please! Would welcome any suggestions.

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Tomous
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PostRe: The Literature Thread
by Tomous » Thu Jul 21, 2022 3:07 pm

more heat than light wrote:So yeah, I'm looking for something maybe light sci-fi or fantasy with a clever hook or unique setting. Preferably a standalone novel, no epic sci-fi sagas please! Would welcome any suggestions.


If you're looking for light sci-fi, I've read (and really enjoyed) Recursion by Blake Crouch recently which has a really interesting hook that I've never seen done before. The science behind the concept is a flimsy at best but once you get past that, it makes for a really unique story. I won't explain it because it's better to go in blind, I think.

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more heat than light
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PostRe: The Literature Thread
by more heat than light » Thu Jul 21, 2022 3:09 pm

Tomous wrote:
more heat than light wrote:So yeah, I'm looking for something maybe light sci-fi or fantasy with a clever hook or unique setting. Preferably a standalone novel, no epic sci-fi sagas please! Would welcome any suggestions.


If you're looking for light sci-fi, I've read (and really enjoyed) Recursion by Blake Crouch recently which has a really interesting hook that I've never seen done before. The science behind the concept is a flimsy at best but once you get past that, it makes for a really unique story. I won't explain it because it's better to go in blind, I think.


Thanks! This book has popped up a couple of times while I've been looking around, so I'll stick it on my wishlist. :)

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Tomous
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PostRe: The Literature Thread
by Tomous » Thu Jul 21, 2022 3:09 pm

more heat than light wrote:
Tomous wrote:
more heat than light wrote:So yeah, I'm looking for something maybe light sci-fi or fantasy with a clever hook or unique setting. Preferably a standalone novel, no epic sci-fi sagas please! Would welcome any suggestions.


If you're looking for light sci-fi, I've read (and really enjoyed) Recursion by Blake Crouch recently which has a really interesting hook that I've never seen done before. The science behind the concept is a flimsy at best but once you get past that, it makes for a really unique story. I won't explain it because it's better to go in blind, I think.


Thanks! This book has popped up a couple of times while I've been looking around, so I'll stick it on my wishlist. :)



If you enjoy it, Dark Matter is also very good by him although the hook in that is less unique.

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Rex Kramer
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PostRe: The Literature Thread
by Rex Kramer » Thu Jul 21, 2022 3:09 pm

I found this a decent read

When the Sparrow Falls - Neil Sharpson
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B09 ... k_ro_title

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more heat than light
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PostRe: The Literature Thread
by more heat than light » Thu Jul 21, 2022 3:19 pm

Rex Kramer wrote:I found this a decent read

When the Sparrow Falls - Neil Sharpson
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B09 ... k_ro_title


This looks interesting, thanks Rex! It's my birthday next week so I'm just putting a wishlist together.

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PostRe: The Literature Thread
by Rex Kramer » Thu Jul 21, 2022 3:22 pm

Cool. Kind of similar to that book and one I will always recommend because it's amazing is The City and The City by China Miéville.

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Memento Mori
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PostRe: The Literature Thread
by Memento Mori » Thu Jul 21, 2022 3:22 pm

Started reading Michael Connelly's extended book universe after watching Bosch on Amazon. Quite noirey and very entertaining. A lot of the time the murderers are different from the TV show which keeps throwing me.

Of course watching the TV show first has me reading the dialogue in the actors' voices.

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PostRe: The Literature Thread
by more heat than light » Sun Sep 11, 2022 7:38 pm

Tomous wrote:Recursion by Blake Crouch


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Loved the concept on this, slightly less keen on the execution. I think it might be because I read Piranesi most recently (which is one of the most beautifully written books I've ever read) but the prose in this is a bit generic maybe? Like it's written with it being a blockbuster film in mind.

That being said, it's a very entertaining ride while it lasts. Obviously given the subject matter there are a million plot holes which pop up, but it twists and turns and never really lets up. I especially enjoyed the final part, which I thought was a really clever and satisfying way to wrap it all up. Good recommendation Tom!

7/10

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Tomous
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PostRe: The Literature Thread
by Tomous » Sun Sep 11, 2022 8:15 pm

Glad you enjoyed mate!

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Curls
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PostRe: The Literature Thread
by Curls » Mon Sep 12, 2022 9:18 am

OrangeRKN wrote:My problem when I tried reading Dune wasn't in understanding but in feeling like I was reading an encyclopedia on the social hierarchy of another culture without any context as to why. I gave up before I remember any plot happening. I do intend to give it another go being more aware of the effort needed.


I've got it on audiobook right now. Seems to flow quite nicely. On about chapter 15 right now.

Other books recently Audiobooked

To Kill a Mockingbird -Harper Lee- 10/10 absolute classic, was nice to revisit in the form of audio.

The Brightest Star in our Sky Miriam Keys - 07/10 This was chicklit and I didn't realise until I was quite committed. The Irish setting and the Narrator's wonderful Irish accent kept me listening. Also some quite funny moments, and it did get a bit deep at times addressing rape and some other sensitive subjects. But would not read/listen again, may see if the Narrator does non chick-lit though!

The Grapes of Wrath -John Steinbeck- 08/10 - Steinbeck is such a fantastic writer and this was a great listen. It often felt like you were listening to how the Tory Party treats the poor today, but in an extreme form. So in some ways my woke little mind could relate. However at times the story does drag a little bit. I'm glad i listened to this whilst jogging as I feel if I read it I may have not made it to the end.

A Terrible Kindness - Jo Browning - 07/10 - This was a weird one, and may be one I revisit. It's quite hard going and swings you into the depths life of Embalmer at Aberfan coal disaster. But I feel it got better as it went on, and the last few chapters and the ending were somewhat uplifting, about living with your demons and also addresses 'victimising' yourself which is something I could relate to quite well. I may revisit this in actual book form in a few years.

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PostRe: The Literature Thread
by Clarkman » Wed Oct 26, 2022 1:49 pm

Hi everyone (double promo post along with TCRT - sorry!)

That award winning novel I wrote has been produced as an audiobook and went on general release yesterday.

It's available for FREE for a short while through Audrey. They've done a cool guide and some beautiful illustrations.

There's also a load of other awesome free audiobooks on there if you're into that sort of thing.

Checking it out would be very helpful for me. Much appreciated lads :wub:

twitter.com/readwithaudrey/status/1584822120466763777


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Captain Kinopio
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PostRe: The Literature Thread
by Captain Kinopio » Sun Feb 26, 2023 7:33 pm

Can anyone recommend me some Lovecraft or something similar?

After playing Signalis I picked up The King In Yellow but have found it pretty tough going. Have been interested in getting into some Lovecraft for a while but never known where to start. I don’t know how accessible Lovecrafts stuff it but if there’s a good entry book that’d be nice.

I seem to remember Mori being a fan.

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Memento Mori
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PostRe: The Literature Thread
by Memento Mori » Sun Feb 26, 2023 8:21 pm

Captain Kinopio wrote:Can anyone recommend me some Lovecraft or something similar?

After playing Signalis I picked up The King In Yellow but have found it pretty tough going. Have been interested in getting into some Lovecraft for a while but never known where to start. I don’t know how accessible Lovecrafts stuff it but if there’s a good entry book that’d be nice.

I seem to remember Mori being a fan.


For stuff written by Lovecraft himself:

I've got this Necronmicon collection which has all the biggies. It's all you need really.

The Colour out of Space, The Shadow over Innsmouth etc all the best stuff Lovecraft ever written is here. Bare in mind though that no-one is ever going to claim Lovecraft is a great prosemith but for his best stuff it doesn't really matter. And most of his protagonists are insane by that point anyway so it kinda works.


For Lovecraft inspired works which are more readable and not written by an uncomfortably massive racist

A lot of Stephen King's stuff is inspired by Lovecraft, here are a few which jump to mind:
IT
Pet Sematary
Revival
The short story Jerusalem's Lot which is collected in some editions of 'Salem's Lot (my favourite King book) and the anthology Night Shift is a pretty blatant homage to Rats in the Walls.
The short story Crouch End (collected in Nightmares and Dreamscapes)
Also technically The Jaunt I spose. (Collected in Skeleton Crew)


Lovecraft Country by Matt Ruff
The Fisherman by John Langan
James Lovegrove who's done a load of new Sherlock Holmes novels has a separate series (The Cthulhu Casebooks) where he's reimagined classic Holmes Stories with Lovecraftian monsters. The conceit is that Watson heavily sanitised the true stories for publication in The Strand. They're a lot of fun. Here's the first.

Holmes/Lovecraftian mythos is a popular thing- Neil Gaiman did a short story in that vein (A Study in Emerald) and there's a PC game called Sherlock Holmes: The Awakened. A remagining is out in April from the original developers.

EDIT: Compiling this post has taught me there's a new Cthulhu Casebook out this year, so cheers Herbs.

Last edited by Memento Mori on Sun Feb 26, 2023 8:26 pm, edited 2 times in total.
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PostRe: The Literature Thread
by Vermilion » Sun Feb 26, 2023 8:25 pm

Last book i read was Spare by Prince Harry.

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PostRe: The Literature Thread
by Captain Kinopio » Sun Feb 26, 2023 8:30 pm

Thanks Mori!

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