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gil · 5th February 2008, 04:43 PM

I've read 6 of these, all of which but one are excellent.

Pavane I have as individual parts in my collection of the whole run of Impulse magazine. I loved these stories.

Gormenghast - one of the mainsprings of my youth. Fantastic story, well told. A friend of mine was similarly captivated, and owns a unique collection of Peake ephemera, original hand-written text and drawings.

Use of Weapons, yes.

Watson's Slow Birds... well, OK in parts. The anti-Thatcher stuff is frankly tedious, a sort of weak case of Ben Elton.

Pullman's Dark Materials.. yes.

The Master and Margarita - total piffle, in my opinion. Typical case of an author who has not taken the trouble to limit fantasy and magical powers, just allowing his magician (the devil, in this case) to thrash about, together with a lot of tiresome jokes about politicians whose main claim to fame is as butt of Bulgakov's tiresome jokes. It started well, and I liked the Pontius Pilate business, but it all collapsed in a heap about two thirds through. I think the Kremlin showed good judgement in banning it.

What d'you think? Did I overstate my case?

5th February 2008, 04:43 PM	#19 (permalink)
gil Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Surrey Posts: 44	Re: Mieville Recommends... I've read 6 of these, all of which but one are excellent. Pavane I have as individual parts in my collection of the whole run of Impulse magazine. I loved these stories. Gormenghast - one of the mainsprings of my youth. Fantastic story, well told. A friend of mine was similarly captivated, and owns a unique collection of Peake ephemera, original hand-written text and drawings. Use of Weapons, yes. Watson's Slow Birds... well, OK in parts. The anti-Thatcher stuff is frankly tedious, a sort of weak case of Ben Elton. Pullman's Dark Materials.. yes. The Master and Margarita - total piffle, in my opinion. Typical case of an author who has not taken the trouble to limit fantasy and magical powers, just allowing his magician (the devil, in this case) to thrash about, together with a lot of tiresome jokes about politicians whose main claim to fame is as butt of Bulgakov's tiresome jokes. It started well, and I liked the Pontius Pilate business, but it all collapsed in a heap about two thirds through. I think the Kremlin showed good judgement in banning it. What d'you think? Did I overstate my case?