Here's what's cooking on the Hotlist!;-)
Book Reviews
As I mentioned, Jack Vance's Tales of the Dying Earth (Canada, USA, Europe) has been relegated to the position of "work" book, which means that I'm not making quick progress. Problem is, I despise Cugel with a passion, nearly as much as Kim Bauer in 24. I'm now into the third volume, and I pray that Cugel isn't in the fourth Dying Earth novel. Sadly, I'm really not getting into this omnibus as much as I would have liked. . .
At home, I'm reading K. J. Parker's The Company (Canada, USA, Europe), and it's been an interesting read thus far. As soon as I'm done, Adrian Tchikovsky's Empire in Black and Gold (Canada, USA, Europe) will be next, what with the book finishing first in my latest poll.
It should be followed by GRRM and friends' Busted Flush (Canada, USA, Europe), as well as Alastair Reynolds' The Six Directions of Space (Canada, USA, Europe, and http://www.subterraneanpress.com/).
After that, if all goes well I will get an early read of R. Scott Bakker's The Judging Eye (Canada, USA, Europe).
Interviews
Questions have been sent to both Ian Cameron Esslemont, author of Return of the Crimson Guard (Canada, USA, Europe), and Paul Kearney, author of The Ten Thousand (Canada, USA, Europe), so these two interviews should go live in the near future.
I'm also endeavoring to get a Q&A with both L. E. Modesitt, jr. and R. Scott Bakker.
With my partners in crime from last year's 9-way interview, Elio and Iain, we're going for the repeat with another Wild Cards writers.
As always, there might be more. . .
Giveaways
There will be a giveaway for L. E. Modesitt, jr.'s The Lord-Protector's Daughter (Canada, USA, Europe), as well as one for David J. Williams' The Mirrored Heavens (Canada, USA, Europe).
In addition, there will be a contest for K. J. Parker's The Company, and another one for Clockwork Phoenix: Tales of Beauty and Strangeness, an anthology edited by Mike Allen. Also, I will host a giveaway for Peter V. Brett's The Painted Man (Canada, USA, Europe).
And there's a big announcement coming up regarding Subterranean Press, plus a giveaway for the limited edition of Steven Erikson's Gardens of the Moon (http://www.subterraneanpress.com/).
Plus, don't be surprised if you see a giveaway for Bakker's The Judging Eye. . .
All this and more, so stay tuned!:-)
4 commentaires:
Rhialto the Marvellous doesn't feature Cugel at all. That said, Rhialto is a somewhat similar personality to Cugel.
You're not really supposed to like Cugel, as such. This is why Cugel's schemes constantly back fire and he's always left empty-handed, red-faced, and often in mortal danger. ;) Vance is popular with writers like GRRM in large part because of his imaginative sociological world-building (not "realistic" in any sense of the word, but very fun), and his rich, evocative language.
The response to the Cugel novels and Jack Vance novels in general is interesting. I did not get it the first time, but it is important how you read the Vance novels. If you are used to reading normal fantasy novels where the action/plot drive the book then you miss something with Vance's novels. His novels are great on the sentence and paragraph level (or the scene level). If you read on this level it is one of the most hilarious novels I have ever read. Furthermore, you have to get in resonance with his style to truly enjoy the book - if you keep looking for plot or reason (what motivates Cugel - not much .. he is scoundrel and there is not going to be any redemption or lesson learned through the book).
Anyway I still feel that Jack Vance is a master and you are missing a lot of great novels if you give up after your first experience.
I suggest is Lyonesse novels - they are easier to get into and have a more classical story structure but still with the great humour.
Hey Pat you really should read the Steven Erikson novella. Since you like the main sequence novels so much you will really get a kick out of the B & KB novellas - lots of fun and darkly funny. Plus since it's so short you will knock it over in an hour or so, leaving you plenty of time for the official winner of the vote.
Sadly I didn't like Tales of the Dying Earth either. I was quite young when I read it though; maybe I need to try again.
I must admit to being blissfully unaware of an upcoming Reynolds. Any hints as to what it is about?
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