From clancaudle@juno.com Sat Oct 26 01:16:12 1996
Subject: Science Fiction reading

Hi,
    I stumbled across your reading list and was fascinated.  I agreed
with most of your opinions ( I would like to give you an opinion on the
personality theory, but I couldn't contact that site.  I'll try again and
let you know).   I have to disagree with you on the Tad Williams books,
_Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn_.  True, there was a wonderful story there,
but I have to admit that I skipped more than I read.  How often do you
have to be told that the tunnels were dusty, damp, and dark?  There was a
great deal of unnecessary detail that could have been deleted, making the
story move along at a faster pace.  And I agree with you, the ending was
seriously disappointing.  I felt like Tad Williams had been taken over by
the soul of Walt Disney.  They are worthwhile, but a little ponderous.  
I thought you missed out on some good ones, though.
     Robert Asprin has written a series, _Myth Adventures_ that are much
more enjoyable than the _Thieve's World_ series.  The first four,
_Another Fine Myth_, _Myth Conceptions_, _Myth Directions_, and _Hit or
Myth_ are definites.   They are the adventures of Skeeve, a magician's
apprentice who can't do magic to save his life and his mentor, friend,
and finally business partner, Aahz (he's a demon from the demension Perv,
but don't call him a Pervert.  It's Pervect, thank you).   The rest in
the series (and it's a long one) are so-so, but the characters are truly
enjoyable and make up for most of the shortcomings.  Another selling
point on these books is that they are highly portable and take about a
day to suck them down (potato-chip books, as my sister would say).
   Another interesting and off-beat novel by a writer that I don't think
I saw on your list is _The Black Dragon_ by R.A. MacAvoy.  I've read a
few of her other books, but since I can't remember any titles I doubt
that I could recommend them.  I do reread _The Black Dragon_ about once a
year, though, and enjoy it every time.
     You also failed to mention Marion Zimmer Bradley's _The Mists Of
Avalon_, another book I tackle once a year or so.  If you haven't read
it, I recommend it highly (it's the only Bradley book I can recommend,
actually).  This is a different take on the Arthur story;  it's all from
the women's point of view.  Very refreshing, especially if you were
raised on the Steinbeck version, as I was.  _Firebrand_, her novel about
Troy from the women's point of view was a flop (imho, thank you), 
especially compared to _Avalon_.  Another
'from-the-woman's-point-of-view' novel that's worth the time is _Lady of
the Forest_ by Jennifer Roberson (I think?!), about Robin Hood.
     In one of your letters, someone mentioned (if not actually
recommended) the Brian Jacques _Mossflower_ books.  They are
entertaining, but meant for a younger audience.  If you are interested,
however, there is a series by Lloyd Alexander that far outstrips
_Mossflower_.  The first book is _The Book Of Three_.  I can't remember
the names of the others, and I'm sorry, but it's been ten years or so
since I read them.  _The Book Of Three_ is about an assistant pig-keeper
named Taran who fights the forces of evil in his homeland, Prydain.  The
character of the untalented minstrel is a special treat.  They are
written for a younger audience, but that doesn't take away from the
enjoyment.
     More light reading:  Elizabeth Scarborough's _Song of Sorcery_ and
_The Unicorn Creed_ are great reading.  There's pretty much everything
for everyone here- unicorns, handsome minstrels, damsels in distress,
etc. etc.; and  Dave Duncan's _The Seventh Sword_ trilogy, about the soul
of a 20-th century chemical engineer being reborn in the body of a
barbarian swordsman in a pre-literate society.
     And finally, I have to put my two-cent's worth in about Melanie
Rawn's new series, _Exiles_.  You don't want to read it, because only
book one has been released, but once the series is finished you may want
to check it out.  So far, book one surpasses the Dragon Prince series. 
It's much more in depth, especially if political intrigue interests you.
     This seems to have turned into my list of  'fun and enjoyable fluff'
books, but hey, they need to be read, too!  Thanks for the great list-
I'm heading to my favorite used book store tomorrow and I'm taking a list
I gleaned from yours along.

Happy Reading,
Laura Caudle