Kyptonite Posted November 11, 2005 Share Posted November 11, 2005 even if Bakker himself admits that Martin has him 'licked in the storytelling department.' Is there anyone who Martin hasn't licked in this dept? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larry. Posted November 11, 2005 Share Posted November 11, 2005 In my opinion, * yes. Tolkien for one, Márquez and Borges for another two. But not too many authors in the spec fic field, I'll admit. *Italicized, with disclaimer, just so this innocuous response doesn't signal the start of a multi-page 'flame war' over the semantics behind "In my opinion." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stego Posted November 11, 2005 Share Posted November 11, 2005 That list is an embarassment of riches, Dylan, but I think GRRM belongs with them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larry. Posted November 11, 2005 Share Posted November 11, 2005 Perhaps so, for storytelling purposes at least. But I'm being cautious here in my praise, mostly because it's so rare for a spec fic writer to craft a story that is emotionally moving AND which has impeccable prose. If the entire SOIAF saga maintains the current levels or improves a bit, then I'll classify Martin with the rest. Until then, he's still one of the best living writers in the US today, just one with still more potential to tap. That being said, I just started reading Jeff VanderMeer's collection of essays and other miscelleana called Why Should I Cut Your Throat? : Excursions Into the Worlds of Science Fiction, Fantasy, & Horror. The Prologue contains a hilarious account of the 1990 Georgia Fantasy Convention that might make you, Scott, and others at the recent WFC laugh and ponder in turns about the absurdities that go on at such conventions, particularly with dickweeds Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stego Posted November 12, 2005 Share Posted November 12, 2005 I read that, too.... you referring to the Harlan Ellison bit? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larry. Posted November 12, 2005 Share Posted November 12, 2005 Exactly, that Ellison bit just made me laugh and laugh when I was reading it. The Moorcock groupie bit was hilarious as well I love VanderMeer's style. I hope Veniss Underground's new edition will help 'break' him to a larger audience. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nobodymN Posted November 13, 2005 Share Posted November 13, 2005 I find it amazing that a debut author -particularly a debut epic fantasy - author has such a individual voice and a compelling story to tell. The first book does have a distinct "set up installment" feel to it - but it's so compellingly unsentimental, and hass too many chaarcters of interest including Kellhuss I just think, including Tyrion are the two great charatcers in current epic fantasy. Warrior Prophet just blows the roof off - it's phenominal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larry. Posted November 13, 2005 Share Posted November 13, 2005 I agree, although I was (and still am) more partial to how Cnaiür counterpoints Kellhus on so many levels - this really becomes apparent in TTT. Ach, the things I want to say about that novel and can't just yet! I'm just so lucky Scott sent me a copy, as I hadn't yet contacted Penguin Canada or Overlook for a review copy. I hear they have a few of those available, but uncertain if any are still remaining. That being said, I'm so looking forward to seeing the reactions of people here to TTT after it is released. I think the January release time is going to work out perfectly - just between the Martin and the UK/Canada Erikson releases. What a great time to be an epic fantasy reader, huh? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stego Posted November 13, 2005 Share Posted November 13, 2005 I agree with everything you just said, Jay. You pretty much summed up the first 2 books. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mon43 Posted November 13, 2005 Share Posted November 13, 2005 Read the first book earlier this year, not that impressed, a better version of Erikson in the style were my thoughts at the time, will have to give it another go at some stage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Relic Posted December 6, 2005 Share Posted December 6, 2005 having jus finished Thousandfold Thought i can with full confidence say that Bakker is a premium fantasy writer. Homeboy can flat out WRITE. He is my personal second favroite behind Martin. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nathanael Posted December 6, 2005 Share Posted December 6, 2005 Where do people get these things?! January can't come quick enough! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doppelganger Posted December 6, 2005 Share Posted December 6, 2005 I added the first book to my 'xmas list'. Hopefully I can find it somewhere. Is there anyone who Martin hasn't licked in this dept? Hmm not sure, I think Stephen King is a genius story teller. Perhaps on par with Martin. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord of Oop North Posted December 6, 2005 Share Posted December 6, 2005 Is there anyone who Martin hasn't licked in this dept? I just got a hilarious image in my head of a GRRM as some oddball office worker licking people in other departments and then heading back to his desk and laughing insanely. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brys Posted December 6, 2005 Share Posted December 6, 2005 Is there anyone who Martin hasn't licked in this dept? Plenty, including IMO, Mervyn Peake, Gene Wolfe, Franz Kafka, Tim Powers, Jeff Vandermeer - amongst others. Martin's still in the top tier though, and here I think he has a slight edge over Bakker. If you're limiting it to epic fantasy, he's at the top, only really challenged by Bakker and Erikson. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Relic Posted December 6, 2005 Share Posted December 6, 2005 martin's ability to weave a story smokes Bakker and Erikson if you ask me. In fact, in my opinion Erikson doesnt even come close to competing (aside from Deadhouse Gates.) What keeps Bakker in the game is his ability to write...images and his keen grasp on the human psyche. That and the last three pages of TTT. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stego Posted December 6, 2005 Share Posted December 6, 2005 Bakker has made me think about myself, others, and the world we live in as much as any author ever has. Probably more so. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
needle Posted December 6, 2005 Share Posted December 6, 2005 I have to protest your list, brys. Have you READ bakker? I certainly wouldn't put Tim Powers on any where near a comparable leval to Bakker or Martin. the guy can't even do dialogue particularly convinvingly. I've only read Anubis gates, and while a fun enough romp through time travel in its way, it came nowhere near to the depth of insight into human character or the compelling plot that both Bakker and Martin, each in their very different ways, have managed to date. Relic, you or stego should do a spoiler free reviw of TTT, please On the top (fantasy) three here..Martin for sheer story telling ability and writing skills comes top. Bakker next for the depth he brings to the genre. And to be honest, so far I prefer Hobbs to Erikson; though that may change. Erikson is a great worldbuilder, but he still has a lot of work to do on his basicwriting skills before it hits the spot for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larry. Posted December 6, 2005 Share Posted December 6, 2005 I still think Scott's been cheating by including his everyday arguments in the midst of his fantasy trilogy Seriously though, I gotta agree with what Stego says above - Scott's made me think quite a bit about why I read fantasy in the first place. No other author has managed to do that yet, outside of maybe Borges. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tricon Posted December 6, 2005 Share Posted December 6, 2005 Mh, you all make me curious. I 'll have to check Bakker out. Thanks for the tip. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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