Michael Gruber: excellent author

maxbookworm · 10-11-2012, 09:17 AM

I just wanted to post a little rave for Michael Gruber. I have read four of his books so far: The Book of Air and Shadows, The Forgery of Venus, The Good Son, and Tropic of Night.

They are extremely engaging, well written, *amazingly* well-researched, and integrate very interesting discussions around religion, philosophy, the nature of reality, psychology. I just love them.

If you're a more traditional fiction lover, I'd recommend The Good Son. It's a pretty straightforward story, but still includes some mind-opening (at least for me) discussions around religion.

The Book of Air and Shadows I don't remember as well, but it might not be his best since it didn't make as much of an impression.

The Forgery of Venus is a wild mind-bender and also includes some amazing historical detail around Renaissance painting.

Tropic of Night is the one I just finished. And while I don't usually enjoy books with a supernatural element, this one was done with just enough 'science' to make it enjoyable for me.

That's all - just had to get that out there

Mike L · 10-11-2012, 11:56 AM

Thanks for that, Max. I haven't read any of his books yet, but I've now put him on my "under consideration" list, on your recommendation. Do you have any suggestions for which one to read first?

By the way, I see that all the titles you mentioned - and a few more - are available for the Kindle.

Mike

maxbookworm · 10-12-2012, 09:24 AM

Hi Mike -- The Good Son is probably his most 'conventional' novel, so might be a good place to start. On the other hand, if you're ok with a bit reality warping and such, and like historical fiction, Forgery of Venus is great. I think I need to re-read the Book of Air and Shadows -- I can't recommend it very strongly because I simply can't remember it very well.

DianNC · 10-12-2012, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maxbookworm

That's all - just had to get that out there

Thank you. Reading Recommendations is my favorite forum and I always appreciate learning of new (new to me) authors/books here.

usuallee · 10-15-2012, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maxbookworm

The Book of Air and Shadows I don't remember as well, but it might not be his best since it didn't make as much of an impression.

This book as I recall was pretty good, but you're right, not all that memorable. Didn't inspire me read any more of his books since I read it 3-4 years ago. But some of the others you mentioned sound interesting, so maybe one day.

elemenoP · 09-12-2013, 09:15 AM

Please excuse the old thread, but I just finished The Forgery of Venus and I loved it! I learned about Michael Gruber through this and other threads on here so I wanted to say thanks. I will definitely read more of his works.

eP

Istvan diVega · 09-12-2013, 12:42 PM

Thanks for the tip, I was entirely unaware of Mr Gruber. Having looked him up it sounds like he writes the kind of non-standard thrillers I really enjoy, so I picked up three of them right away.

covingtoncat73 · 09-12-2013, 01:10 PM

I loved Tropic of Night, which is the first in a trilogy with the same detective Paz. Any of the three can be read by itself, though.

The Good Son and the Forgery of Venus, all stand-alones, were also excellent but my favorite Gruber was a departure from all of these. I loved The Witch's Boy, which is a fractured fairy tale rather than a thriller.

10-11-2012, 09:17 AM	#1
maxbookworm Addict Posts: 372 Karma: 1122865 Join Date: Apr 2010 Device: Kindle Voyage, Galaxy Note 2	Michael Gruber: excellent author I just wanted to post a little rave for Michael Gruber. I have read four of his books so far: The Book of Air and Shadows, The Forgery of Venus, The Good Son, and Tropic of Night. They are extremely engaging, well written, amazingly well-researched, and integrate very interesting discussions around religion, philosophy, the nature of reality, psychology. I just love them. If you're a more traditional fiction lover, I'd recommend The Good Son. It's a pretty straightforward story, but still includes some mind-opening (at least for me) discussions around religion. The Book of Air and Shadows I don't remember as well, but it might not be his best since it didn't make as much of an impression. The Forgery of Venus is a wild mind-bender and also includes some amazing historical detail around Renaissance painting. Tropic of Night is the one I just finished. And while I don't usually enjoy books with a supernatural element, this one was done with just enough 'science' to make it enjoyable for me. That's all - just had to get that out there

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10-11-2012, 11:56 AM	#2
Mike L Wizard Posts: 1,479 Karma: 3846231 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Edinburgh, Scotland Device: Kindle 3, Samsung Galaxy	Thanks for that, Max. I haven't read any of his books yet, but I've now put him on my "under consideration" list, on your recommendation. Do you have any suggestions for which one to read first? By the way, I see that all the titles you mentioned - and a few more - are available for the Kindle. Mike

10-12-2012, 09:24 AM	#3
maxbookworm Addict Posts: 372 Karma: 1122865 Join Date: Apr 2010 Device: Kindle Voyage, Galaxy Note 2	Hi Mike -- The Good Son is probably his most 'conventional' novel, so might be a good place to start. On the other hand, if you're ok with a bit reality warping and such, and like historical fiction, Forgery of Venus is great. I think I need to re-read the Book of Air and Shadows -- I can't recommend it very strongly because I simply can't remember it very well.

09-12-2013, 09:15 AM	#6
elemenoP Wizard Posts: 1,717 Karma: 3790058 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: NYC Device: Kindle Paperwhite, Sony 650	Please excuse the old thread, but I just finished The Forgery of Venus and I loved it! I learned about Michael Gruber through this and other threads on here so I wanted to say thanks. I will definitely read more of his works. eP

09-12-2013, 12:42 PM	#7
Istvan diVega Inharmonious Posts: 416 Karma: 2157616 Join Date: Jan 2013 Device: Sony PRS-950, Galaxy Tab 2 10.1	Thanks for the tip, I was entirely unaware of Mr Gruber. Having looked him up it sounds like he writes the kind of non-standard thrillers I really enjoy, so I picked up three of them right away.

09-12-2013, 01:10 PM	#8
covingtoncat73 Wizard Posts: 2,745 Karma: 83407757 Join Date: Mar 2011 Device: Kindle Paperwhite, Lenovo Duet Chromebook, Moto e	I loved Tropic of Night, which is the first in a trilogy with the same detective Paz. Any of the three can be read by itself, though. The Good Son and the Forgery of Venus, all stand-alones, were also excellent but my favorite Gruber was a departure from all of these. I loved The Witch's Boy, which is a fractured fairy tale rather than a thriller.

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