How can one choose
Sep 11 '00
To be honest I never could understand how anybody could decide which SF or Fantasy book is the best. I am not the greatest Science Fiction Reader, but I love Fantasy. Over the years I notice that not only has SF spit into sections (i.e. SF and Fantasy), but that there have been splits within the two. So far I have come across a few; you have Fantasy/Comedy, who could forget how much you laughed at Terry Pratchett's Mort or any of the discworld series for that matter?
Then you have Classic Fantasy for example the Lord of the Rings, which started it all. Unfortunately, many people don't ever get to read the whole of the trilogy as they don't have the determination. No matter what people say about J.R.R. Tolkien (and I love his books) his attention to detail is incredible, and some people find that they get bored trying to wade through it. I find it stimulating, but a lot of my Fantasy loving friends have never been able to finish it.
Another Classic Fantasy writer are David and Leigh Eddings. Unlike Tolkien, they have managed to put together a style they is, quite honestly, addictive. I have come to the conclusion that David Eddings has put some kind of drug into the pages of his books - once you pick them up you are unable to sleep until you have finished the series. Why, just last week I walked into the bookstore looking to by another book. I noticed hidden at the top of the pile of new releases a new David and Leigh Eddings Book (The Redemption of Athalus), I decided to just have a look at the blurb. Next thing I new I was standing at the Cash Register buying the book. I finished within the week.
Then there is Children’s Fantasy. I don't think I would even have started down the road of Fantasy reading if it weren’t for the Chronicles of Narnia. I still enjoy reading it today, even though it only takes me a few days where it used to take me months when I was 8 years old. It definitely did change my life for the better. However, when I got older it also brought me to a realization. There are a lot of people out there like to philosophy about the meaning of passages in books. The two main books that have been affected are the Lord of the Rings and The Chronicles of Narnia. I have come to the conclusion that books, should be read for their story, not for what some person said it is supposed to mean. CS Lewis is supposed to have said to one such critic about the Chronicles of Narnia; "It's just a story." and so it should be.
Then there is the Sci-Fi/Fantasy of Anne McCaffrey. Again a great writer, she has a wonderful way of writing that enable the reader to feel as though they are part of the story. Again the story has been able to create an entire history except that it is placed in future and the people are not elves or medieval knights, but human that have settle on a new planet.
In conclusion I will have to say that there I have a few selections for the greatest Sci-Fi or Fantasy series depending on their classification.
Obviously, the Lord of the Rings, or at least the Middle earth series of books has to feature - where would the fantasy genre be without them. However, we will never see another book come out of that series, as the author is dead. So of the living authors of the Classis Fantasy I must choose the all of David and Leigh Eddings series - one can't leave any of them out.
For Comedy/Fantasy there is only one - Terry Pratchett. I can’t think anyone has been able to even come close to his style and wit in the Diskworld series. My favorite character still being Death!
And, finally, for Sci-Fi fantasy Anne McCaffrey's Dragons of Pern series. I am still an addict of those and again one can always expect something new.
One last word or true Sci-Fi; I have only read Dune in this genre. It was great, however once I finished Children of Dune I found that things went down hill from there which was rather disappointing. Therefore, I will not put a classification for True Sci-Fi, as I do not have enough experience in the Genre.
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Epinions.com ID:
alexr
|
|
Member: Alexandra Page
Reviews written: 1
Trusted by: 0 members
|
|
|
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.