Fraught said:I'm currently reading American Gods by Neil Gaiman, and I love it. It's humorous, it's odd, it's surreal, it doesn't shy away from using obscenities and often talking about sexual topics, it takes place in modern-day America, while still mainly handling mythological themes, and it's generally really fun to read.
I'd like to say it's a light-hearted fantasy book, but so much of it is rooted in reality, but at the same time comprising of so many fantasy elements, and the subject matter is something very apparent in our own world, and is wonderfully handled with both humour, and seriousness.
All in all, I think it's very good book, but at the same time I have a suspicion it might be polarizing; I, personally, adore it, but I'm very sure that there are people who don't like it nearly as much. Still, I recommend to give it a chance.
Have recently finished Anansi Boys. Great story and does follow on nicely (completely different story mind you)Mr.Monkey said:Fantastic book, (hope you got the extended version) recommend reading Anasi boys straight after.
Fraught said:I'm currently reading American Gods by Neil Gaiman, and I love it. It's humorous, it's odd, it's surreal, it doesn't shy away from using obscenities and often talking about sexual topics, it takes place in modern-day America, while still mainly handling mythological themes, and it's generally really fun to read.
I'd like to say it's a light-hearted fantasy book, but so much of it is rooted in reality, but at the same time comprising of so many fantasy elements, and the subject matter is something very apparent in our own world, and is wonderfully handled with both humour, and seriousness.
All in all, I think it's very good book, but at the same time I have a suspicion it might be polarizing; I, personally, adore it, but I'm very sure that there are people who don't like it nearly as much. Still, I recommend to give it a chance.
It has pretty much paved the way for everything that followed after it. I believe Asimov might have even been the first to use the term "black hole" in Sci fi.Vaewyn said:Wow it must be pretty damn good.Legendsmith said:Foundation and Empire by Issac Asimov.
If you like science-fiction (real sci-fi, not science-fantasy like Star Wars) then you must read the Foundation series.
The Foundation Trilogy (the first 3 in the series) won a special Hugo Award for "Best All-Time Series" in 1965. It is the only series ever to have received this award.
(Note: Asimov himself assumed that the "Best All-Time Series" award was created to honour The Lord of the Rings, he was amazed when his own trilogy won).
I can't comment on the others, but Anthem, really? I found it really anemic, essentially a less sophisticated 1984 or Brave New World. I also thought that her notion of the supremacy of the individual was some what blunted by her main character. After all, where does he live? In a house built by others. Where does he gain his knowledge? From the books and writings of others. He isn't self sufficient, he's parasitical on the achievements of those before him.TimLM said:And Ayn Rands Atlas Shrugged, The Fountainhead and Anthem, best books ever.