From: "Stephen Levitt" 
Date:          Thu, 14 Sep 1995 14:17:42 SAT
 
Hi Doug,
 
You certainly have a very impressive library, and thanks for sharing
your insights about the books you have read.
 
I find it interesting in that I agree with you about some of your
favourite books and authors, and totally disagree with you about
others. I guess there is just no way to segregate readers into
clear-cut catergories.
 
You rate the Chronicles of Thomas Covenant very highly.  I on other
hand could even finish the first book. I guess the idea of a 
protaganist which is a total wimp just does not appeal to me. The
first book seemed to involve many long passages in which the main
character wallows in self pity. Every now and then (between the 
pathetic whining) the plot would progress slightly. I think that I
must have stopped reading at about the middle of the first book.
However, now that I have read your detailed review maybe I'll give it another
go.
 
On the other, other hand I am in full agreement with you on the 
brilliance of Dan Simmons (after reading the Hyperion Series). I rate
Hyperion as one of the best SF books I have ever read. I also think
that Dune is excellent.
 
I notice that you enjoy Michael Crichton. I also do, but don't you 
the find the endings of his novels are often a cop out - with critical 
problems which have been developing throughout the book, suddenly being
resolved within a paragraph or two. I think Sphere and The Andromeda
Strain are especially guilty of this.
 
Do you find the writing of Umberto Eco and Gene Wolfe similar? 
Obviously they write about very different subject matter, but they 
both use an extensive vocabulary, excellent control of language and
they handle very complex plots. I find the writing of both these
authors very dense (requiring as you say a lot of concentration), but
ultimately extremely rewarding.
 
Finally some suggestions (if they have not already been made):
 
1.As you seem to like humorous fantasy/SF may I suggest Robert
Rankin, author of Armageddon The Musical, They Came And Ate Us and so
forth. Rankin's writing is like mixture of Douglas Adams' and Terry
Pratchett's - the plot is often secondary to the humor.
 
2. Icehenge, Red Mars and so forth by Kim Stanley Robinson. Strictly
hard SF with the extrapolation of current technology into the future.
Robinson studies the scientific literature about the environment in
which his characters are placed (eg: Mars) and so his stories appear
very realistic. Robinson also develops his characters very well and
is an excellent writer IMHO. Note: there is a strong divergence in
opinion concerning KSR which evident from news group articles, but
you should at least try one of his books.
 
________________________________________________________________
Stephen Levitt
eMail: levitt@odie.ee.wits.ac.za
 
"I do not whether I was then a man dreaming I was a butterfly,
 or whether I am now a butterfly dreaming I am a man."
                      -- Chuang-tzu