Re: [silk] Sailing to Sarantium

["Divya" <divyasatyam@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

> > > >Badri Natarajan wrote: [ on 03:34 AM 3/13/01 +0530 ]

> Yes. I'm something of a Guy Gavriel Kay freak

Yeah, me too. My favorites so far are "A Song for Arbonne" and "The lions of
Al-rassan" I'm not too fond of Tigana. The Fionavar Tapestry: I liked the
trilogy very much, but they come second to his stand-alones, at least for
me. They did get me hooked to GGK.

> when I only got 50% on the Fionavar Tapestry quiz at
www.brightweavings.com

Yes. I thought the passages GGK picked out for readings were interesting.
also his comments on "writer as performer" at these events.

> most realistic and richly
> detailed historically, with the typical GGK style - I always thought he's
> among the best fantasy writers I've read in describing emotions and the
> complexities of interaction with people.

Agree on the rich historical detail, which I love about his stuff. I believe
he did a substantial amount of the research on Byzantium online, as compared
to his earlier stuff. There were lots of interesting Byzantine links on the
site. On the description of emotions and relationships: I have mixed
feelings. He verges on purple prose at times, and I find some of his female
characters' behaviour implausible. (And before Udhay says it, yes, I did see
the Usenet threads --recurring -- on how many sff writers can actually
create convincing characters of the opposite gender).

> Do you really want me to tell you how it turns out? :-)

I guess not :-)

> books plot actually follows history. (With one crucial exception in the
2nd
> book, but I think I'll just leave you hanging with that...)

Oh, good. So there is some element of surprise left... That way, it's nice
to read alternate history - you never know what's going to happen. Though
most Byzantine alternate history for some reason always focusses on
Belisarius. It's enjoyable when you have knowledgable writers like
Turtledove writing it, but some of the dreck that comes out is utterly
painful.

Badri, if Udhay doesn't claim it first, can I borrow "Lord of Emperors"?
I'll trade you anything you want - I have an extensive collection. If you
like historical fantasy/fiction, some of my recent acquisitions include
Gillian Bradshaw's "Island of Ghosts" (brilliant), Bernard Cornwell's
Arthurian trilogy, the whole of Gordon Dickson's "Dragon Knight" series,
"Lion of  Ireland" by Morgan Llywelyn, "The Shadow of Ararat" by Thomas
Harlan, the first two of Dave Duncan's King's Blades books... Or you could
tell me your favourite sff authors and I'll rummage through the shelves.

Btw, Udhay, I have created an electronic list of a substantial portion of my
collection, and I will be in B'lore next Tuesday. So you can let me know
what you want me to bring along. I will of course expect a quid pro quo in
the form of books and beer.

cheers,
Divya

--------------------------

"History repeats itself. Historians repeat each other. "
-- Philip Guedalla, Supers and Supermen


"Les grandes personnes ne comprennent jamais rein toutes seules, et c'est
fatigant, pour les enfants, de toujours et toujours leur donner des
explications."
 -- "Grown-ups never understand anything for themselves, and it is tiresome
for children to be always and forever explaining things to them. "
Antoine de Saint-Exupery, Le Petit Prince