what should I read as a begginer?

[RudeDawg]

Originally posted by Damark_Ifrit: I think my taste go with dramatic scene like Tolkien's, also a feel of Arthur and Knights of The Round Table also helps. Besides, I like elf too !!! I dont mind long book, as long as they arent boring. Oh yeah, anyone have a book that talk about Arthur? I have seen Excalibur and The First Knight, and now I have no idea which one should I believe in.

Read TH White's books first
"The Once and Future King", "The Sword in the Stone", "The Book of Merlyn"
They're kind of light, but an easy retelling of Arthurian legends.

Harsher versions include : "Mists of Avalon" by Marion Zimmer Bradley, a retelling from the women's viewpoint in the legends and The Pendragon Cycle :"Merlin", and "Arthur"
Arthurian legends have been retold and retold...
"The King that was, and shall be again"

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The RudeDawg
Known in these Forgotten Realms as Perin LightEyes


[This message has been edited by RudeDawg (edited 04-10-2001).]

[RudeDawg]

Originally posted by Fljotsdale: ERRrrrrmmm.... I don't think you should believe in either....!! However, if you REALLY TRULY want Arthur in all his glory you should read Mallory's 'Mort d'Arthur'. Which you may find heavy going till you get the feel of the style. You could also try 'The Crystal Cave' by Mary Stewart. It's actually from the viewpoint of Merlin, and starts with Merlin's childhood. Brilliant book! The first of a Trilogy, and the best one.

You HAVE to read Mallory... It's considered the definitive version (I was trying to look the title up)


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The RudeDawg
Known in these Forgotten Realms as Perin LightEyes


[This message has been edited by RudeDawg (edited 04-10-2001).]

[Sir Taliesin]

Try Stephen R. Lawhead's THE PENDRAGON CYCLE. Its yet another prospective of the Authorian Legend. All the others are great to. I enjoyed David Eddings, George R. Martin, Parke Godwin and J.V. Jones. Jones wrote the Baker's Boy series. No elves,
but they are good books.

Terry Good kind is also extremely good!

Though he has been panned here on this forum. I would read Terry Brook's SWORD OF SHANARA. He pretty much followed the LoTR, but it was still a good book. Don't bother reading the rest on them though. Same book, different title.


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Sir Taliesin

Ten Rings there are, and nine gold torcs on the battlechiefs of old...

[Fljotsdale]

Originally posted by Sir Taliesin: Though he has been panned here on this forum. I would read Terry Brook's SWORD OF SHANARA. He pretty much followed the LoTR, but it was still a good book. Don't bother reading the rest on them though. Same book, different title.

ICK! I have to admit to having read a few of his books, and like you said, most of 'em are pretty aweful. I mentioned somewhere else that when an author is asked to produce more of the same he just goes to pot (not the weed!) - and Brookes went quicker than most!



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Smile! Life is too short for bitching!

Fljotsdale

[Cloudbringer]

RudeDawg,

Zelazny reading the Amber series?!!! Wow! I'd LOVE to hear that!

Cloudy

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Raindancer of the Laughing Hyenas Clan
Storm-Queen
StormCloud of the Black Knight
Heart Mind Soul Forever

[Throntar]

Originally posted by RudeDawg: AW YEAH !!! gotta love Zelazny, his other stuff besides Amber is also great. "Lord of Light", "Eye of Cat", "Doorways in the Sand" and "Roadmarks" are not fantasy like Amber, but awesome reads just the same. Fred Saberhagen's "Book of Swords" series is a different story with a familiar mythology. Does anyone else remember the "Thieve's World" series?

Hey 'Dawg...

Read the entire Thieves World series and loved it! I found the multiple plot threads to be a unique way of telling a large story in a concise way. Kind of unique in how some of the threads eventually crossed and some never did...

Thanks for reminding me of that series. I think that I might dust off the covers and re-read!

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My *God* man...would you *please* eat something!?

[Erekose]

I think that depends how old you are but i would recommend Fritz Leiber, Robert E. Howard, and Michael Moorcock. Cheers

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"You all wished me to arouse the blade and use it. Now, I think, we begin to understand the consequences. The Black Sword must be fed. It will feed on friends if it cannot feed on enemies......"

[Jimbo]

Umm, as far as believing, believe in your heart and what you want to believe. I still believe in santa clause and still can hear the bells from his sleigh. It may be figuratively, but hero's will allways be there as long as you let them.

As for books, David Eddings does some wonderful story telling. I love his stories of Sparhawk.

Norse mythology and Native American Mythology is another area that is fun to read (sometimes) and is a great chance to see how the modern fantasy has evolved from the roots of myths, epics, and folklore.

Good luck

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Drink and be merry
Jimbo
"Renegade, Rebel, and Rogue"

[bilqis]

Oh how could you all forget Raymond E. Feist? His "Magician's Apprentice" series is a wonderful read for a beginning Fantasy reader. Robin Hobbs "Assassin's Apprentice" series are good starting points too.

My 13 year old just discovered Orson Scott Card.. he's very excited about "Ender's Game". That's not fantasy tho. Still, it's fun to watch him discover the genre... makes it worth having saved thousands of books. I can now say to my husband "See?!? They aren't just dust collectors that take up space!"

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Sometimes I think I
understand everything,
then I regain consciousness.

Happy Member of Fast Fourward.

[This message has been edited by bilqis (edited 05-05-2001).]

[AzureWolf]

Id say go with some Salvatore or some Raymond.E.Feist of course im predjudiced because they are my 2 favourite authors but still if you like flash wars and magic then they are your go tho salvatores stuff is more adventurer based while the midkemia books of feist are more kingdom war based. cept Pug is a legend. tho so is raistlin. ahh so many to choose from