Otherland

[Leto]

Since it's a sci-fi novel, that's quite logical no ?

[GOLLUM]

hi again Leto!

Yep it's certainly more of a sci fi than fantasy novel.

Although it doesn't always come together I greatly admire Tad for taking such a major project on in the first place.

[rune]

It's advertised as both and since Tad Williams mostly writes fantasy I can understand why I first thought it would be a fantasy series.

[Rane Longfox]

I would agrue that it's neither science fiction or fantasy... but I guess sci-fi is the closest you could come to categorising it easily. Very confusing series. In fact, none of my current to-read pile appeals to me after I've finished Pandora's Star, so I'm thinking of re-reading this soon. Who knows

[GOLLUM]

Originally Posted by caladanbrood

I would agrue that it's neither science fiction or fantasy... but I guess sci-fi is the closest you could come to categorising it easily. Very confusing series. In fact, none of my current to-read pile appeals to me after I've finished Pandora's Star, so I'm thinking of re-reading this soon. Who knows

Yep Tad classifies it as a series that will appeal to both SCi Fi and Fantasy fans so I guess it's really a hybrid of these.

Several critics/reviewers like to describe it at a basic level as a "cyber punk" novel.

Bye for now.

[Leto]

Originally Posted by caladanbrood

I would agrue that it's neither science fiction or fantasy... but I guess sci-fi is the closest you could come to categorising it easily. Very confusing series. In fact, none of my current to-read pile appeals to me after I've finished Pandora's Star, so I'm thinking of re-reading this soon. Who knows

That's why some uses now the term of science-fantasy, olders series as Darkover (someone actually finished this one ?) and Pern's also fell in it. And true due to the use of computers and virtual reality, it can also qualify as cyber-punk. Maybe these different qualifications are just a proof the serie is very rich.
But i have yet to read his fantasy book about cats.

[Rane Longfox]

Oh, fantasy with animals can work... you ever read Duncton?

[GOLLUM]

Yep,

Duncton Wood is by English-born author William Horwood. This is a six part fantasy series about a society of spiritual moles who inhabit a fully realised English countryside. The two trilogies consist of The Duncton Chronicles (3) and The Book Of Silence (3). Quite a good series actually.

Leto,

Tad William's book about a ginger tom cat is called Tailchaser's Song in case you're wondering. Not bad, considering it was Tad's first published work in the mid '80s before the great M,S,T series.

Bye Y'all!

[Leto]

Thanks Gollum, I'll pre-order it at my favorite bookshop.

[GOLLUM]

Originally Posted by Leto

Thanks Gollum, I'll pre-order it at my favorite bookshop.

Yeh.. either that or get it from your local library.

[Leto]

Originally Posted by GOLLUM

Yeh.. either that or get it from your local library.

Except Otherworld, Tad Williams is in the great unkown here. Not translated.

[Chimeco]

I admit I was mesmerized by the whole series. It was a great read, and I remember looking forward to each new book as they were released. If you crave sci-fi, it should satisfy that hunger.

I only had two real problems with the Otherworld series. Tad seemed to have gotten a little lazy with the world building after awhile. Instead of creating original worlds in the virtual environment of the story, he began relying on old and used ideas (the chessboard, the micronized world, the mother grimm section etc..).
The other problem I had was the ending. Without spoiling it, I'll just say that the ending idea was lame. He could have thought of something a little less "brainier" than that.

[GOLLUM]

Originally Posted by Chimeco

I admit I was mesmerized by the whole series. It was a great read, and I remember looking forward to each new book as they were released. If you crave sci-fi, it should satisfy that hunger.

I only had two real problems with the Otherworld series. Tad seemed to have gotten a little lazy with the world building after awhile. Instead of creating original worlds in the virtual environment of the story, he began relying on old and used ideas (the chessboard, the micronized world, the mother grimm section etc..).
The other problem I had was the ending. Without spoiling it, I'll just say that the ending idea was lame. He could have thought of something a little less "brainier" than that.

Yes I felt the ending was slightly lame too and a little rushed like he was rushing to get it completed perhaps.

[Leto]

Originally Posted by rune

I found this series too complicated and hence that spoiled it for me. There were some good ideas, and it's very visual. However I think William's tried for a lot in the technology side and it came over too sci-fi for me.

And that's why I like it, it's epic sci-fi at its best. Too long ? Certainly, but worth the read.

[Leto]

Originally Posted by caladanbrood

Oh, fantasy with animals can work... you ever read Duncton?

Who ?