Non-monomyth fantasy? - Page 2

speakingtohe · 02-25-2012, 10:31 PM

I read gormenghast et al in the 1950's. Perhaps this is a book I should re-read. I remember sort of liking it enough to read the sequels, but being a tad puzzled at times. A bit dark in spots for someone in grades 5-6?
Helen

BenG · 02-26-2012, 12:23 PM

If you like older books, I would recommend The Worm Ourobouros by E.R. Eddison and The Well at the World's End by William Morris.

Also don't forget Roger Zelazny's Amber books, Poul Anderson's The Broken Sword, The Last Unicorn by Peter Beagle, Lud-in-the-Mist by Hope Mirlees, The Dream Quest of Unknown Kadath by H.P. Lovecraft, The Blue Star and The Well of the Unicorn by Fletcher Pratt.

HarryT · 02-26-2012, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by speakingtohe

I read gormenghast et al in the 1950's. Perhaps this is a book I should re-read. I remember sort of liking it enough to read the sequels, but being a tad puzzled at times. A bit dark in spots for someone in grades 5-6?
Helen

There's a nice illustrated eBook of the Gormenghast trilogy available.

MrTeatime · 02-26-2012, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BenG

If you like older books, I would recommend The Worm Ourobouros by E.R. Eddison

[See sig

]

aecardenas · 02-29-2012, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Belfaborac

Steven Erikson's Malazan Book of the Fallen. No hero's journey there (well, maybe one, kind of, in amongst a lot of other, much more interesting stuff). Not many clear-cut heroes at all, come to think of it.

I would second this recommendation. The Malazan book of the fallen series is HUGE in scope, truly epic high fantasy that while paying homage to a great many genres, does not fall into their conventions. Very unique series, though, densely populated and incredibly intricate in terms of narrative and scope.

I'm on book 9 of the 10 book series (which also includes additional books by the co-creator, Ian Essemont).

Also, if you are interested, the one series i think that really inspired Erikson to do the Malazan saga was Glen Cook's out of print series The Black Company. Gritty high fantasy. That too does not follow the traditional conventions of the genre.

Happy reading!

jgaiser · 02-29-2012, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aecardenas

Also, if you are interested, the one series i think that really inspired Erikson to do the Malazan saga was Glen Cook's out of print series The Black Company. Gritty high fantasy. That too does not follow the traditional conventions of the genre.

The Black Company is available as DTB omnibus at Amazon. No Kindle books, but I did click on the I'd like to read this book on Kindle link.

http://www.amazon.com/Chronicles-Bla.../dp/0765319233

Belfaborac · 02-29-2012, 12:24 PM

Let me in turn second the Black Company then, which was probably the spearhead for the gritty and realistic segment of today's Fantasy. Or at least it was the first such that I encountered.

speakingtohe · 02-29-2012, 03:05 PM

If you like Glen Cook you might also like Simon R. Green. (probably I have said this before

)
Love them both.

Helen

speakingtohe · 02-29-2012, 03:06 PM

Quote:

There's a nice illustrated eBook of the Gormenghast trilogy available.

Thanks
Shall look for that.

Helen

Penforhire · 02-29-2012, 05:56 PM

Gene Wolfe. He isn't everyone's cup of tea but when he's "on" he's world class. Even some of his SF is really fantasy to me. Maybe the series starting with Shadow of the Torturer?

Or Neil Gaiman? American Gods. The Graveyard Book.

None of these is a traditional hero's journey.

pagansoul · 03-01-2012, 10:31 AM

I just started the 'Torchwood' series of books. If you never heard of Torchwood, it's a spin-off of Doctor Who and is more adult. I'm on the first book called 'Another Life' written by Peter Anghelides. I was able to get a few of them on tape from my public library. Amazon has the ebooks from $5 for the oldest to about $10 for the newer. The paperbacks can be had for a lot less used and ebay also has some.

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_no...qid=1330612226

#
Title
Author
Published
ISBN

01
Another Life
Peter Anghelides
4 January 2007
ISBN 978-0-563-48653-8

02
Border Princes
Dan Abnett
4 January 2007
ISBN 978-0-563-48654-8

03
Slow Decay
Andy Lane
4 January 2007
ISBN 978-0-563-48655-8

04
Something in the Water
Trevor Baxendale
6 March 2008
ISBN 978-1-84607-437-0

05
Trace Memory
David Llewellyn
6 March 2008
ISBN 978-1-846-07438-8

06
The Twilight Streets
Gary Russell
6 March 2008
ISBN 978-1-84607-439-4

07
Pack Animals
Peter Anghelides
16 October 2008
ISBN 978-1-84607-574-2

08
SkyPoint
Phil Ford
16 October 2008
ISBN 978-1-84607-575-9

09
Almost Perfect
James Goss
16 October 2008
ISBN 978-1-84607-573-5

10
Into the Silence
Sarah Pinborough
25 June 2009
ISBN 978-1-84607-753-1

11
Bay of the Dead
Mark Morris
25 June 2009
ISBN 978-1-84607-737-1

12
The House that Jack Built
Guy Adams
25 June 2009
ISBN 978-1-84607-739-5

13
Risk Assessment
James Goss
15 October 2009
ISBN 978-1-84607-783-8

14
The Undertaker's Gift
Trevor Baxendale
15 October 2009
ISBN 978-1-84607-782-1

15
Consequences
Joseph Lidster, James Moran, Andrew Cartmel,
David Llewellyn, Sarah Pinborough
15 October 2009
ISBN 978-1-84607-784-5

16
First Born[2]
James Goss
21 July 2011
ISBN 978-1-84990-283-0

17
Long Time Dead[2]
Sarah Pinborough
4 August 2011
ISBN 978-1-84990-284-7

18
The Men Who Sold The World[2]
Guy Adams
18 August 2011
ISBN 978-1-84990-285-4

bill_mchale · 03-01-2012, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Penforhire

Gene Wolfe. He isn't everyone's cup of tea but when he's "on" he's world class. Even some of his SF is really fantasy to me. Maybe the series starting with Shadow of the Torturer?

Or is it that some of his fantasy is really SF

Is his Book of the New Sun series available as ebooks?

--
Bill

jgaiser · 03-01-2012, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bill_mchale

Or is it that some of his fantasy is really SF

Is his Book of the New Sun series available as ebooks?

Doesn't appear to be available. Audible does carry the audio books though.

DrNefario · 03-01-2012, 04:22 PM

It is available in the UK from Gollancz/SFGateway. I don't know where else their rights extend, but it's pretty surprising that it's not available in the US.

It's the later Long Sun that I never managed to finish, though, and that doesn't seem to be available yet.

DiapDealer · 03-01-2012, 04:38 PM

Quote:

It is available in the UK from Gollancz/SFGateway. I don't know where else their rights extend, but it's pretty surprising that it's not available in the US.

It seems the majority of SFGateway titles aren't available to US customers—or maybe it's just the majority of what I'm interested in. I frankly gave up checking to see what is available to me there. It's much easier to assume it's not.

02-29-2012, 03:05 PM	#23
speakingtohe Wizard Posts: 4,812 Karma: 26912940 Join Date: Apr 2010 Device: sony PRS-T1 and T3, Kobo Mini and Aura HD, Tablet	If you like Glen Cook you might also like Simon R. Green. (probably I have said this before) Love them both. Helen

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02-25-2012, 10:31 PM	#16
speakingtohe Wizard Posts: 4,812 Karma: 26912940 Join Date: Apr 2010 Device: sony PRS-T1 and T3, Kobo Mini and Aura HD, Tablet	I read gormenghast et al in the 1950's. Perhaps this is a book I should re-read. I remember sort of liking it enough to read the sequels, but being a tad puzzled at times. A bit dark in spots for someone in grades 5-6? Helen

02-26-2012, 12:23 PM	#17
BenG Home Guard Posts: 4,730 Karma: 86721650 Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Alpha Ralpha Boulevard Device: Kindle Oasis 3G, iPhone 6	If you like older books, I would recommend The Worm Ourobouros by E.R. Eddison and The Well at the World's End by William Morris. Also don't forget Roger Zelazny's Amber books, Poul Anderson's The Broken Sword, The Last Unicorn by Peter Beagle, Lud-in-the-Mist by Hope Mirlees, The Dream Quest of Unknown Kadath by H.P. Lovecraft, The Blue Star and The Well of the Unicorn by Fletcher Pratt.

02-29-2012, 12:24 PM	#22
Belfaborac Wizard Posts: 1,498 Karma: 5199835 Join Date: May 2010 Location: Norway Device: Sony PRS-505, PRS-950	Let me in turn second the Black Company then, which was probably the spearhead for the gritty and realistic segment of today's Fantasy. Or at least it was the first such that I encountered.

02-29-2012, 05:56 PM	#25
Penforhire Wizard Posts: 2,230 Karma: 7145404 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Southern California Device: Kindle Voyage & iPhone 7+	Gene Wolfe. He isn't everyone's cup of tea but when he's "on" he's world class. Even some of his SF is really fantasy to me. Maybe the series starting with Shadow of the Torturer? Or Neil Gaiman? American Gods. The Graveyard Book. None of these is a traditional hero's journey.

03-01-2012, 10:31 AM	#26
pagansoul Fanatic Posts: 509 Karma: 1098204 Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Earth Device: iPhone5, iPad Gen3, Kobo, Kindle Fire, Kobo Vox. Samsung Galaxy Tab 7	I just started the 'Torchwood' series of books. If you never heard of Torchwood, it's a spin-off of Doctor Who and is more adult. I'm on the first book called 'Another Life' written by Peter Anghelides. I was able to get a few of them on tape from my public library. Amazon has the ebooks from $5 for the oldest to about $10 for the newer. The paperbacks can be had for a lot less used and ebay also has some. http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_no...qid=1330612226 # Title Author Published ISBN 01 Another Life Peter Anghelides 4 January 2007 ISBN 978-0-563-48653-8 02 Border Princes Dan Abnett 4 January 2007 ISBN 978-0-563-48654-8 03 Slow Decay Andy Lane 4 January 2007 ISBN 978-0-563-48655-8 04 Something in the Water Trevor Baxendale 6 March 2008 ISBN 978-1-84607-437-0 05 Trace Memory David Llewellyn 6 March 2008 ISBN 978-1-846-07438-8 06 The Twilight Streets Gary Russell 6 March 2008 ISBN 978-1-84607-439-4 07 Pack Animals Peter Anghelides 16 October 2008 ISBN 978-1-84607-574-2 08 SkyPoint Phil Ford 16 October 2008 ISBN 978-1-84607-575-9 09 Almost Perfect James Goss 16 October 2008 ISBN 978-1-84607-573-5 10 Into the Silence Sarah Pinborough 25 June 2009 ISBN 978-1-84607-753-1 11 Bay of the Dead Mark Morris 25 June 2009 ISBN 978-1-84607-737-1 12 The House that Jack Built Guy Adams 25 June 2009 ISBN 978-1-84607-739-5 13 Risk Assessment James Goss 15 October 2009 ISBN 978-1-84607-783-8 14 The Undertaker's Gift Trevor Baxendale 15 October 2009 ISBN 978-1-84607-782-1 15 Consequences Joseph Lidster, James Moran, Andrew Cartmel, David Llewellyn, Sarah Pinborough 15 October 2009 ISBN 978-1-84607-784-5 16 First Born[2] James Goss 21 July 2011 ISBN 978-1-84990-283-0 17 Long Time Dead[2] Sarah Pinborough 4 August 2011 ISBN 978-1-84990-284-7 18 The Men Who Sold The World[2] Guy Adams 18 August 2011 ISBN 978-1-84990-285-4

03-01-2012, 04:22 PM	#29
DrNefario Wizard Posts: 2,227 Karma: 12029046 Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: UK Device: Kindle, Kobo Touch, Nook SimpleTouch	It is available in the UK from Gollancz/SFGateway. I don't know where else their rights extend, but it's pretty surprising that it's not available in the US. It's the later Long Sun that I never managed to finish, though, and that doesn't seem to be available yet.