Bio-Spark

says

PhoenixFalls says

LOL, not shaking my head in disgust -- people are idiosyncratic, I'm used to my recommendations not working as well as I think they will. ;)

I don't remember the details that well, but in my memory I thought McKillip wasn't on Sybil's side -- not that she needed a comeuppance, but I thought that that cold judgementalism was her major character flaw and she had to grow beyond it to get her happy ending. . . but like I said, I don't remember it that well, so I could be wrong, or the book could be open to either interpretation.

I'd strongly recommend The Changeling Sea, then, for the next one you try. . . Peri (the main character) is about as far from Sybil as you can get in McKillip's ouvre, I think. But McKillip does tend to have slightly. . . detached. . . protagonists a lot of the time, so it may just be that she's not for you. :)

(Will delete the spoilery note now.)

posted 1 year ago. ( send a note )

Cora R says

Thanks for catching that Bio-Shark. I don't know how I let it get by me last night (I know I have researched those books before, so I should have known better). They should be separated out now. Let me know if I missed any.

posted 1 year ago. ( send a note )

Hatrack says

My mistake...Crock Of Gold by James Stevens not Cup, thats John Steinbeck. You might also want to try James Stevens Irish Fairy Tails. Another one I thought of was Circus Of Dr. Loa

posted 1 year ago. ( send a note )

Hatrack says

Ok I looked at your bookshelf when I had the chance and I'm amazed at what you've read. In fact I don't know where you found some of those works. For an old fart like me I have had years to stumble upon the more obscure pieces but for a twenty two year old man, I'd be curious as to how you got turned on to Lord Dunsany? My partner laughed at me when I had to look up Hylian. She does World Of Warcraft but as you might guess, I'm not a gamer, in fact I'm pretty much a luddite when it comes to computers. Anyway I'm guessing your love of fantasy must have come about that way. Wish I had some hot tip about some fantasy work you don't know about but looks like you've got the bases covered. But I didn't notice Cup Of Gold, Gormangast, or Once And Future King so will throw them at you in case you haven't run across them. Native American? What peoples? Thanks for the contact.

posted 1 year ago. ( send a note )

Hatrack says

Sounds good to me

posted 1 year ago. ( send a note )

PhoenixFalls says

Hmmm. . . there are several that are good places to start. Alphabet of Thorn is where I started, and it is quintessentially McKillip -- if you like it, you will like her. The Forgotten Beasts of Eld is the book she's probably most famous for, and while it's not quite as polished as Alphabet of Thorn it has more heart. The Sorceress and the Cygnet (now most commonly found in the omnibus Cygnet) has, to my mind, the most exquisite prose in its opening section, but the plotting is a little unsatisfactory. The one place I don't recommend you start is the Riddle-Master trilogy; it's her other most-famous work, but it's her attempt at Tolkien-esque fantasy, and while it's quite good, it's not at all like Beagle. :)

Wherever you start (and actually, she's amazingly consistent over her career, so starting with any of her fairytale-influenced fantasy should give you a pretty good sense of whether you'll like her or not) I hope you enjoy, and please come back and let me know what you think even if you don't!

posted 1 year ago. ( send a note )

Jerry M says

And a great set, the entire '50's collection.

posted 1 year ago. ( send a note )

Moisture Farmer says

I wish! Actually, it was taken at Disneyworld. ;-)

posted 1 year ago. ( send a note )

Nighthawk says

No sweat! Here is the review:

"It is rare that a book actually lives up to its' hype, but Erin Morgenstern's The Night Circus is better than I dared to hope. Though it is evocative of Bradbury's Something Wicked This Way Comes and Tom Reamy's Blind Voices, it is definitely an original. The ending actually made me laugh & cry for joy simultaneously-I do not think there is a word for that in the English language! The author has a way of writing that pulls you along effortlessly but never lets you go. Warning: at the heart of this book is a romance-I'm sure your local bookstore stocks Guns-N-Ammo if that is something you just can't bear. But if you are a true dreamer, then enchantment awaits. Read this book."

posted 1 year ago. ( send a note )

Nighthawk says

Peril is on my list of Shelfari favorites!!! You must read it! About to write a review for that book we've been discussing-once it is written I will post a copy here for you.

posted 1 year ago. ( send a note )

Nighthawk says

Zelazny died in 1995 and I think he left behind a body of work as impressive as PKD. I think given our personal preferences that you would enjoy Roadmarks, which is a stand alone novel. It features two cameos you will love, and I'll say no more. You might also enjoy Lord of Light.

posted 1 year ago. ( send a note )

Nighthawk says

So many people are crazy about that author-I read Deus Irae by PKD and Roger Zelazny (another favorite author of mine) many moons ago and remember being distinctly nonplussed. Maybe it was the collaboration itself and they somehow cancelled each other out? And I hate that not knowing what to read next feeling-I'm one of those people who pick their next read based on their previous one so it is all about where the spirit moves me. So far I am 1/2 way thru The Night Circus and it has not let me down.

posted 1 year ago. ( send a note )

Nighthawk says

Hey! Happy Saturday evening! I will let you know-so far The Night Circus has been so good I do not want it to end. And how are you?

posted 1 year ago. ( send a note )

Halo says

Hiya Bio-Spark,

http://www.shelfari.com/groups/87776/about

Slippery Fish is having technical difficulties- you can use the link above to access the group if you can’t see it on your profile.

posted 1 year ago. ( send a note )

Nighthawk says

"You have chosen...wisely."

posted 1 year ago. ( send a note )

Nighthawk says

Great shelf! Sending you a friend/follow request!

posted 1 year ago. ( send a note )