tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8679457768571800783.post6669987092004375485..comments2023-09-01T10:14:30.179+01:00Comments on Graeme's Fantasy Book Review: ‘Nights of Villjamur’ – Mark Charan Newton (Tor UK)Graeme Floryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15411505049326440010noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8679457768571800783.post-2346421633530152062011-05-24T11:22:06.564+01:002011-05-24T11:22:06.564+01:00I bought this book on the strength of the reviews ...I bought this book on the strength of the reviews I'd seen for it on sites like this and others. <br /><br />I'm now glad I bought it second hand because to have spent more money on it would have made me even more angry with it.<br /><br />Kudos to Mr Newton for getting it published - clearly someone at Tor saw something in it I can't see. <br /><br />The writing is often drab, the characterisation thin and bland, the setting sketchy and lacking in any depth. None of the characters engaged me and while a 'dying earth' setting should be an evocative experience, NoV certainly wasn't (as far as I read).<br /><br />You could argue it reads like a 1st novel, but there are plenty of fantasy authors out there (Gemmell, G Kay et al) who struck gold with their first books and never looked back.<br /><br />A really disappointing book (admission - I'm stuck on page 80 and have decided that my time is too precious to waste on something I can't see improving).<br /><br />I wish Mr Newton all the best with his writing in the future - unfortunately, I won't be buying any further books from him.Rob Mammonenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8679457768571800783.post-73879746949786080772010-01-04T09:44:44.459+00:002010-01-04T09:44:44.459+00:00Hi Mr Bacchus,
I'm glad that 'Nights of V...Hi Mr Bacchus,<br /><br />I'm glad that 'Nights of Villjmur' has been a source of inspiration to you and will be checking out your blog at some point in the future. If you want to leave a post here with a link to your review then that's cool.<br /><br />One thing I'm not so keen on though is my blog being used as a dumping ground for 'cut and pasted' comments that have popped up in other places and don't really add to a discussion at all. It's only one step away from spam and I hate spam...<br /><br />I've deleted similar comments before and that's why I've deleted your comment this time round. I'm always up for dicussion though so feel free to leave another comment with a link to your review and we'll got at it!Graeme Floryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15411505049326440010noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8679457768571800783.post-75589875530748512832009-04-20T16:43:00.000+01:002009-04-20T16:43:00.000+01:00Hi Graeme,
Sounds right up my street does this......Hi Graeme,<br /><br />Sounds right up my street does this...<br /><br />With regards to Jack Vance Id recommend Lyonesse, its a fantastic book. Get reading!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12821436346128023423noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8679457768571800783.post-69886471659462724472009-04-20T09:13:00.000+01:002009-04-20T09:13:00.000+01:00Only that it gets weirder... a lot weirder!Only that it gets weirder... a lot weirder!Mark Newtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04829431641572291176noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8679457768571800783.post-34695503419676803782009-04-19T17:25:00.000+01:002009-04-19T17:25:00.000+01:00ed - My problem is that I didn't read enough fanta...ed - My problem is that I didn't read <I>enough</I> fantasy in the nineties ;o)<br /><br />Michael and the Dude - Thanks for your comments guys, maybe it's time for me to give 'The Book of the New Sun' a go. Reading 'Nights of Villjamur' has also got me thinking about giving 'Viriconium' another try...<br /><br />Mark - Care to give us any hints? :o)Graeme Floryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15411505049326440010noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8679457768571800783.post-48400764941386598622009-04-18T21:28:00.000+01:002009-04-18T21:28:00.000+01:00I read all interviews and reviews you mentioned. I...I read all interviews and reviews you mentioned. I also read the excerpt AND I'm totally convinced that I MUST buy and read NIGHTS OF VILLJAMUR!! What else can I say......<br /><br />To be honest I also didn't read a book by Wolfe so far. But after some researches I must confess that I apparently missed something. Yesterday I got the recommendation to read the <I>Coldfire</I> trilogy by Celia S. Friedman. <br />I think my problem is that I didn't read fantasy in the nineties.ediFanoBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11129248787624088717noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8679457768571800783.post-53644501880092217352009-04-17T20:56:00.000+01:002009-04-17T20:56:00.000+01:00Michael beat me to the punch, but I'll second his ...Michael beat me to the punch, but I'll second his opinion.<br /><br />I can't recommend The Book of The New Sun hard enough. It's my favourite book,period. Wolfe is a master storyteller.It's demanding,but not difficult.<br /><br />As for Vance, his Tales of the Dying Earth are his most popular work, but he also has a lot of other fun stuff like his Planet of Adventure series and The Demon Princes tetralogy.TheDudenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8679457768571800783.post-54542378588300941992009-04-17T20:25:00.000+01:002009-04-17T20:25:00.000+01:00I know what happens next! :)
Thanks for the aweso...I know what happens next! :)<br /><br />Thanks for the awesome review, Graeme.Mark Newtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04829431641572291176noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8679457768571800783.post-44478070105291910962009-04-17T17:19:00.000+01:002009-04-17T17:19:00.000+01:00You have to read Wolfe or I will send ninja assass...You have to read Wolfe or I will send ninja assassins to you...and stop reading your blog...<br />You can start by The Book of the New Sun as it is his masterpiece, but its quite a tough read (well at least for me for whom English is not the native language). Or you can start with short stories (The Island of Doctor Death and Other Stories and Other Stories is great) or with The Wizard Night which is an easier read but gives you a taste of the magnificence of this prose.<br /><br />Thanks for the review, makes me want to add this book to my stack (at least 200 books high).Mimouillehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15610436050331906534noreply@blogger.com