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Joined: Mar 2001
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Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 4,189 |
history written by fiction writers of insight and genius
Well, if we're speaking in this nuance of genre, then don't miss Michael Shaara's The Killer Angels, his brilliant historical novel examining the Battle of Gettysburg (US Civil War) from the Southern perspective.
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 3,467
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 3,467 |
And, interestingly enough, his son Jeff has followed in the late great's footsteps, and has several novels out.
But I'm really gonna talk about one I just finished reading, Ruled Brittania, by Harry Trutledove. I know there are people here who think that HT is a hack writer, and some of his stuff is not as good. But Ruled Brittania is absolutely superb. It deals with an "Elizabethan" England where good Queen Bess is locked into the Tower by Isabella and Albert, who jointly rule England after the successful conquest of that fair country by the legions on the Great Armada.
I willnot reveal the plot, but will tell you that Turtledove can write a Shakespeare play just as well as the Bard could. Every memorable Shakespeare line and many not so memorable are woven into the conversations of the characters, making the England of that era come alive on the pages.
It's a must read for anyone who loves or wants to learn more about Shakespeare. I oculd not recommend it more highly.
TEd
TEd
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Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 261
enthusiast
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enthusiast
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 261 |
Top of my list:
His Dark Materials trilogy by Philip Pullman
Though origionally sold as a children's book in the UK, it is now widely recognised as a book to be enjoyed on all different levels. The author calls it fantasy-realism and it's a must. In fact, I'd be shocked stunned and deeply disturbed if you haven't heard of it as it's supposed to be pretty widely marketed in the US, though I gather with a smaller following than in the UK.
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
This is probably quite a well known book but is nevertheless very good. It explores ideas about philosophy and spirituality in the form of a fable - very thought provoking. I also recommend some of his other books such as The Devil and Miss Prym and Manual of the Warrior of Light.
The Life of Pi by Yan Martel
This book was the winner of the Booker Prize this year in the UK. It's quite interesting, again going into ideas of philosophy and religion but also a darn good adventure story, about a boy who becomes stranded on a lifeboat with a Bengal tiger. I think for some it may take a bit of getting in to but I soon found it hard to put down.
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Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,210
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,210 |
bonz, have you read Sabriel and Lirael by Garth Nix? (an Aussie) great stuff, better than the Pullman in my mind. a new one, Abhorsen, comes out this February. can't wait!
formerly known as etaoin...
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Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 6,511
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 6,511 |
Strunk and White*'s The Elements of Style.
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*E.B. White, he who wrote Charlotte's Web. Also worth reading.
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Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,439
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,439 |
A book of Christmas stories by John B Keane "An Irish Christmas Feast" came out recently. This amazing writer was called the Neil Simon of Irish playwrites. His short stories are humerous, sad, lively, illumination and fun to read. Wonderful descriptions of places, amazing exposition of character...and the short stories will give you a taste for the plays. The stories are an excelelnt exposition of how to use everyday life and weave it into wonderful stories.
Merry Christmas and happy reading in the New Year.
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Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 2,661
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 2,661 |
Strunk and White*'s The Elements of Style.Here we go again...  
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Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,636
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,636 |
My daughter gave me a copy of "Steering the Craft: Exercises and Discussions on Story Writing for the Lone Navigator or the Mutinous Crew" by Ursula K. Le Guin for Christmas. I have always loved her writing and the title has me ROTFLMAO. I'll get back to you on this after I've spent some time with it.
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Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 261
enthusiast
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enthusiast
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 261 |
I recived a book called 'The Art and Craft of Writing Poetry' a while back, it was facinating to read but I found it gave me writer's block for ages afterwards - be wary not to get bogged down in technicalities.
etaoin: I saw those books in the shops and heard they are quite good, they keep getting sold out, but at least I've ordered Sabriel.
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Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 8
stranger
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stranger
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 8 |
Westlake is great and if you like him, try Elmore Leonard ie Get Shorty! Westlake wrote a very dark book called "The Job" which is also worth looking for.
For American writers; How about Mark Twain - I think he is underrated. For the cowboy genre - Louis Lamour. Lamour has some historical novels and a collection of "1930's" short stories which are great fun.
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