Recommended Reading?

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After numerous positive reviews of R.A. Salvatore's work I decided on purchasing the Icewind Dale Trilogy. I shouldn't be surprised that I found the writing geared towards a younger audience. The characters are simple and the plot about as original as the wheel. I'm dying to get my hands on some well written fantasy or historical fiction. Obviously the younger crowd will love this book but for those of you a little older (say 25 and up), what are you reading?

[ September 14, 2003, 18:41: Message edited by: Blackthorne TA ]

 

As far as historical fiction is concerned, I would recommend the following books:

1. "Walking drum" by Louis d'Amour: A medieval historical novel, which describes the journeys and the adventures of young man, who is trying to find his pirate father.

2."The eagle has landed" by Jack Higgins: A german attempt to assasinate Churchill in 1943.

3."The eagle has flown" by Jack Higgins: The sequel of the above book. Not so good as "The eagle has landed" but Liam Devlin still rocks.

4."The pillars of earth" by Ken Follet: Another medieval novel set in England. It provides a very good insight of the medieval societies.

5."Gates of fire" by Steven Pressfield: A novel on the most legendary battle of the greek-persian wars, the battle of Thermopylae.

6."Pope Joan" by Emmanuel Roidis: How a woman managed to become the pope of the Roman catholic church. When this book was first published in the beggining of 20th century, the author was excommunicated by the greek-orthodox church.

Now, as for fantasy books, try "The Weaverworld" by Clive Barker, one of the best books, I've ever read.

 

Madeline l'Engle's A Wrinkle in Time, A Wind in the Door, A Swiftly Tilting Planet, and Many Waters are, IMHO, stellar.

[ September 13, 2003, 16:34: Message edited by: Oaz ]

 

Thanks for the suggestions, I'm going to look at A Wrinkle In Time and Weaveworld although they both sound more sci-fi than fantasy, am I right?

BOC, have you read the Lightbearer by Donna Gillespie or the Firebrand by Marion Zimmer Bradley? I'm going to a look into a few of the books you've suggested in the historical fiction category.

 

No, I haven't read them. As for the "Weaverworld", it isn't sci fi. The most accurate discription would be fantasy and horror.

 

If you want deatail and an interesting plot go read a Tom Clancy book.

 

Tom Clancy has always been an author I've almost picked up. I'm just not sure the subject matter is of interest to me. I get enough of it watching the news.

B' TA, I am interested in that era. As a kid I read just about every Louis L'Amour book printed. Now I wouldn't call Louis a historical fiction writer (more western fantasy) he was a stickler for historical and geographical accuracy. I'm also a big fan of Larry McMurtry (Dead Man's Walk being an exception).

Thanks for all the suggestions. If I get my hands on even a quarter of the books put forth I'll be reading into next year some time.

 

I don't know that they quite qualify in this category but about 3 years ago I made a great investment after seeing Armand Assante in "Oddysey" and bout The Iliad and Homer's Oddysey. Difficult to get my head around at first but I absolutely loved them both.

 

Which translation did you read? I have the E.V. Rieu translations from Penguin Classics. I have to admit I had a tough time staying interested and The Iliad is still only partially complete. I can't remember when I bought them but it must have been sometime ago. The prices are really quite amazingly reasonable. I should take it up again.