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Tad Williams' Otherland

Discussion in 'Booktalk' started by Enagonios, Mar 16, 2005.

  1. Enagonios Gems: 31/31
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    Remove all ads!
    [​IMG] Is this 4-book series worth getting? I enjoyed the 2 novels of his that I've read (War of the Flowers, Tailchaser's Song) so I just wanted to ask if anyone here has read it and if it is up to par, or even better than the 2 books I've mentioned.
     
    Enagonios, Mar 16, 2005
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  2. joacqin

    joacqin Confused Jerk Adored Veteran Pillars of Eternity SP Immortalizer (for helping immortalize Sorcerer's Place in the game!)

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    They are good but not great. I think they are too drawn out and the series would have been much better if it was perhaps a third shorter.
     
    joacqin, Mar 16, 2005
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    I agree. And although the series is way too long, Williams still managed to have lots of loose endings flapping around.

    There are, on the other hand, quite some moments I enjoyed. If you don't mind the Cyberspace setting I'd nevertheless recommend it - if you like Williams style, that is.
     
    Darkthrone, Mar 16, 2005
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  4. Istolil Gems: 5/31
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    I tried to read the first book of the series but it just didn't click for me. I'm not one to stop reading a book but 1/4 of the way I couldn't do it anymore. I just found that the story limped and seemed to drag on longer than necessary, but that's just my opinion. I enjoyed his books "To Green Angel Tower" but just couldn't get into Otherland.
     
    Istolil, Mar 16, 2005
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  5. Enagonios Gems: 31/31
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    ah, thanks for the feedback guys, i guess i'll hold off on getting this series for the time being. I was thinking about getting the "his dark materials" series by Philip Pullman. It's supposed to be very good if a bit "kiddy", anyone read that already?
     
    Enagonios, Mar 16, 2005
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  6. Carcaroth

    Carcaroth I call on the priests, saints and dancin' girls ★ SPS Account Holder

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    Personally I rather liked it, though I agree it was a little drawn out.
     
    Carcaroth, Mar 16, 2005
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  7. JSBB Gems: 31/31
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    Sigh, I bought the series packaged together for really cheap from the science fiction book club but I have not read it yet - it is in my pile of books to read but I keep giving new books a higher priority.

    Based upon what has been said here it looks like that isn't going to change anytime soon.
     
    JSBB, Mar 16, 2005
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  8. Blackthorne TA

    Blackthorne TA Master in his Own Mind Staff Member ★ SPS Account Holder Adored Veteran Pillars of Eternity SP Immortalizer (for helping immortalize Sorcerer's Place in the game!) New Server Contributor [2012] (for helping Sorcerer's Place lease a new, more powerful server!) Torment: Tides of Numenera SP Immortalizer (for helping immortalize Sorcerer's Place in the game!)

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    I enjoyed Otherland quite a bit.

    I haven't read Tailchaser's Song or War of the Flowers, so I can't compare for you, but I have read Memory, Sorrow and Thorn, and I would say it's similar in vein.

    Tad seems to like to keep the mystery alive all the way to the end, keeping you guessing about what's really going on. It's been a long while since Memory, Sorrow and Thorn, so I don't remember a lot, but I remember being underwhelmed when the mysteries were finally resolved. With Otherland, I actually found the mysteries fascinating once they were revealed.
     
    Blackthorne TA, Mar 16, 2005
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  9. Enagonios Gems: 31/31
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    ah, but Darkthrone mentioned "cyberspace" is the theme/setting. I actually prefer more of magic and less of science, so would Otherland still fit into the "more of magic" category?
     
    Enagonios, Mar 17, 2005
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    It's kind of techno magic I guess you could call it. While I liked the idea and the concept it didn't click like I said. With anything I always say got to the library and check it out for free. If you like it, awesome buy the others. If you don't, you didn't lose any money. If someone didn't read something based solely on the opinions of others, without trying it first then the world would be pretty dull and stupid. LOL
     
    Istolil, Mar 17, 2005
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  11. Enagonios Gems: 31/31
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    sadly, where i'm from, such libraries are non-existent. also, my set of friends neither read nor play computer games, so you see my problem. I buy books on the basis of a) author's track record b) on a hunch c) following a series


    so my question still stand i guess: "To Otherland or not to Otherland"?
     
    Enagonios, Mar 17, 2005
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    Well you can always try the first. Plus I've also seen books online for download in .pdf format. Sure it burns you're eyeballs out of their sockets but it's free. lol
     
    Istolil, Mar 17, 2005
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  13. Blackthorne TA

    Blackthorne TA Master in his Own Mind Staff Member ★ SPS Account Holder Adored Veteran Pillars of Eternity SP Immortalizer (for helping immortalize Sorcerer's Place in the game!) New Server Contributor [2012] (for helping Sorcerer's Place lease a new, more powerful server!) Torment: Tides of Numenera SP Immortalizer (for helping immortalize Sorcerer's Place in the game!)

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    If you want more magic and less science then get the Memory, Sorrow and Thorn trilogy ("The Dragonbone Chair", "Stone of Farewell", and "To Green Angel Tower").
     
    Blackthorne TA, Mar 17, 2005
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    ok, thanks BTA. just a follow up question, isn't "To Green Angel Tower" 2 books? (part1,part2)? I coulda sworn that I saw a copy of it that had a (part2) on the cover :confused:
     
    Enagonios, Mar 20, 2005
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  15. Blackthorne TA

    Blackthorne TA Master in his Own Mind Staff Member ★ SPS Account Holder Adored Veteran Pillars of Eternity SP Immortalizer (for helping immortalize Sorcerer's Place in the game!) New Server Contributor [2012] (for helping Sorcerer's Place lease a new, more powerful server!) Torment: Tides of Numenera SP Immortalizer (for helping immortalize Sorcerer's Place in the game!)

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    It is in paperback, but I believe it was one book in hardcover. Apparently it was just too big to put in one book in the paperback format, so they split it into part one and part two (and both are still huge :) ).
     
    Blackthorne TA, Mar 20, 2005
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