Any and All Fantasy Fiction Book Discussion
Re: Any and All Fantasy Fiction Book Discussion
Heh... those sound like a good few Arthurian books. I haven't read any of them myself, though. Chrétien de Troyes' Arthurian Romances is good. Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is great too, especially if it's Tolkien's translation. I read some other person's attempt last year, and it paled in comparison. Right now I'm finishing up The Faerie Queene, which is a really amazing poem of 1,000+ pages in beautiful archaic English about virtuously exemplary Arthurian knights. I highly recommend it if any of you haven't already read it.
I also love The Mabinogion. It's a collection of Welsh legends, and if I remember correctly, contains the story of Merlin's prophecy involving the Red Dragon of Wales. I love the Welsh flag even more since reading that. It will give you a new appreciation for Lloyd Alexander's Chronicles of Prydain, too, if you're familiar with those.
I also love The Mabinogion. It's a collection of Welsh legends, and if I remember correctly, contains the story of Merlin's prophecy involving the Red Dragon of Wales. I love the Welsh flag even more since reading that. It will give you a new appreciation for Lloyd Alexander's Chronicles of Prydain, too, if you're familiar with those.
And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.
Re: Any and All Fantasy Fiction Book Discussion
isn't the Mabinogion the one with the guy who keeps having to leave towns in a hurry because he does whatever craft he chooses better then anyone else and so the locals get annoyed at his customer stealing? the guy who put gold buckles on shoes and so on.....
or am i barking up the wrong tree?
or am i barking up the wrong tree?
Re: Any and All Fantasy Fiction Book Discussion
Yes, that guy is certainly in the Mabinogion.Cleddyf wrote:isn't the Mabinogion the one with the guy who keeps having to leave towns in a hurry because he does whatever craft he chooses better then anyone else and so the locals get annoyed at his customer stealing? the guy who put gold buckles on shoes and so on.....
or am i barking up the wrong tree?
And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.
- appalachianranger
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Re: Any and All Fantasy Fiction Book Discussion
A few months ago I happened upon a book at a thrift store called Mists of Avalon. Judging from the description on the back, it appears that it might be a good source of lore regarding Avalon, Morgan La Faye, and the Lady of the Lake.
I have not read them yet, as I am currently in the midst of studying Plato and Socrates.
Has anyone ever heard of that series, and was it any good?
I have not read them yet, as I am currently in the midst of studying Plato and Socrates.
Has anyone ever heard of that series, and was it any good?
"As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend." -King Solomon
- Mirimaran
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Re: Any and All Fantasy Fiction Book Discussion
A.R., my wife recommends the book, and there was a mini-series a few years back that is available on DVD that was very good. Love the soundtrack!
Ken
Ken
"Well, what are you waiting for? I am an old man, and have no time for your falter! Come at me, if you will, for I do not sing songs of dastards!"
Re: Any and All Fantasy Fiction Book Discussion
A.R.
Its an okay book, not one i really liked, but it wasn't a bad book, depends on wether you like marion zimmer bradley's books
Its an okay book, not one i really liked, but it wasn't a bad book, depends on wether you like marion zimmer bradley's books
- appalachianranger
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Re: Any and All Fantasy Fiction Book Discussion
This would be my first encounter with Ms. Bradley, so I guess I will have to try it out!
Incidentally, I also re-watched the NBC miniseries Merlin from the 90s the other day.
It was a fine little gem that came out before the era of Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter when fantasy suddenly became cool.
If you have not seen it yet, I recommend you check it out!
Sam Neill's Merlin was excellent, as was Miranda Richardson's Queen Mab and Helena Bonham Carter's Morgan La Faye.
Incidentally, I also re-watched the NBC miniseries Merlin from the 90s the other day.
It was a fine little gem that came out before the era of Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter when fantasy suddenly became cool.
If you have not seen it yet, I recommend you check it out!
Sam Neill's Merlin was excellent, as was Miranda Richardson's Queen Mab and Helena Bonham Carter's Morgan La Faye.
"As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend." -King Solomon
Re: Any and All Fantasy Fiction Book Discussion
has anyone here tried robin Mckinley's books, the hero and the crown, the blue sword,spindles end, chalice,
i recently reread The Outlaws of Sherwood, her retelling of robin hood, it made me think of John Flanagan's
ranger's apprentice books, in that it sort of relates.
oh, and one of the characters is a falconer
i recently reread The Outlaws of Sherwood, her retelling of robin hood, it made me think of John Flanagan's
ranger's apprentice books, in that it sort of relates.
oh, and one of the characters is a falconer
Re: Any and All Fantasy Fiction Book Discussion
Arthur fans may or may not like Bernard Cornwell's The Warlord Chronicles trilogy, but I really enjoyed them. Cornwell explores a historically plausible Arthur and the trials of native Britons during the Saxon invasion. It turns the legend on its head, but presents what is probably the most "realistic" take on the legend that I've run across. It should be noted that the themes within are very dark and quite mature, so they may not be for everyone's palate.
It also explores in detail battles waged within the shieldwall, which should hold a particular interest for Tolkien fans.
It also explores in detail battles waged within the shieldwall, which should hold a particular interest for Tolkien fans.
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Re: Any and All Fantasy Fiction Book Discussion
I've read a couple of Cornwell's other books & enjoyed them. I understand they are quite formulaic, but that isn't altogether bad, if it is a good formula.
Re: Any and All Fantasy Fiction Book Discussion
considering the largest publishers use formulas (mills and boons and harliquin(my mum reads them, and my aunts))mcarson wrote:I've read a couple of Cornwell's other books & enjoyed them. I understand they are quite formulaic, but that isn't altogether bad, if it is a good formula.
throwing a hissy fit about formulas is kinda silly
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Re: Any and All Fantasy Fiction Book Discussion
Exactly! Not everything has to be Great Literature to be enjoyed. Also, given what Campbell showed us in "The Hero With a Thousand Faces", a certain pattern emerges from our hero myths, species wide, even in cases where the stories are far older than any substantial cultural contact.
Re: Any and All Fantasy Fiction Book Discussion
Cornwell is very formulaic, but I enjoy his books for what they are. In my opinion, his Arthur books are his best work. Highly recommend them.
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Re: Any and All Fantasy Fiction Book Discussion
I LOVE Bernard Cornwell! I haven't read his Warlord trilogy, but I have read a lot of his other books. I highly recommend his "Saxon Stories" series. It's about the Danish invasion of Britain under the rule of Alfred the Great. There are 5 out right now, and a 6th one is coming out later this year.
You will live by the sword and you will serve your brother. -Genesis 27:40
Re: Any and All Fantasy Fiction Book Discussion
Working my way through those now! If you like Uhtred, you'll definitely like Derfel from the Warlord books.David wrote:I LOVE Bernard Cornwell! I haven't read his Warlord trilogy, but I have read a lot of his other books. I highly recommend his "Saxon Stories" series. It's about the Danish invasion of Britain under the rule of Alfred the Great. There are 5 out right now, and a 6th one is coming out later this year.