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I've never considered whether or not the books I love are Pagan. I guess I've never separated my library into that category.
But my overall favourite form of fiction is high fantasy, a la Tolkien. Usually set in medieval-type worlds wherein magic trumps technology and pure hearts triumph over evil ones. Gods are occasionally featured and/or mentioned in passing but rarely play a central role in the plot(s).
Trouble is, nobody is writing anything good in that genre anymore. Everybody's up-chucking derivatives of Goodkind or Jordan or Martin in as multi-volumed-a-contract as their agent can wrangle.
And that multi-contract deal is the death knell of many a fine writer.
But since you asked...
I'm very fond of Tad Williams' Memory, Sorrow and Thorn trilogy*. Aside from Tolkien's, Williams' trilogy is the only one I've re-read. And will again, Reaper willing.
His Otherland series is also nothing less than superb and set in some distant now.
I also used to enjoy Robin Hobb. Her first couple of trilogies were fine. Then she gradually became too wordy and the story faded into insignificance to me. Her last couple of trilogies were meh. I couldn't finish the last one. Stopped early in the 2nd book. Never cracked the 3rd.
I've since learned not to buy the first book or two of a proposed trilogy. If I'm still alive when all are in print and reviews have been intriguing -- then I'll buy the works. But, as in the case of Ms Hobbs lately, that's been a burn.
And my latest seems to be Patrick Rothfuss' The Name of the Wind. I got sucked in by the fervent, drooling reviews from credible sources. Still, I held off until the second book came out to similar acclaim before buying both.
I've waded my way through 400-some pages over the course of a year.
I used to read that in a couple-few days.
Could not relate to Kvothe. Another magician-fighter-bard-intellectual-uber-hero with carefully-manicured flaws.
Anyway, if this thread lives a while, I'll likely have more to spout.
Most of the time I don't separate books into categories either, but sometimes I do like to read a specifically pagan point of view. I also love outdoor books. All of the Woodswoman books by Anne LaBastille have been great. I like to read anything with Alaska as the subject as well!
In the pagan category I like books by Cliff Seruntine and Starhawk, as well as The Salmon In the Spring by Frank MacEowen. But I am always looking for new titles!
Specifically pagan and not just fantasy fiction The Spiral Dance by Starhawk.
Fiction, anything by Patricia Briggs, although I'm not sure how much that counts as Pagan, for all the fae and retired gods and mythical creatures. Not too much religion to it, except for maybe one or two paragraphs involving Coyote and where he lives.
For fiction, Jim Butcher, Harry Dresdon takes his power from the mystic but fights side by side sometime with a pure knight of Christ. It's one of the best series for blending pagan religion with Christianity without going all preachy or judgemental.
Fiction: Kevin Hearne, the iron Druid series. Includes the concept of choosing your religion based upon which version of the afterlife you wish to live in after your death.
Last edited by oregonwoodsmoke; 02-22-2017 at 10:39 AM..
I do like the Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley.
But, I will say it. I absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE Harry Potter. Read all the books I don't know how many times (including listening to the audiobooks with Stephan Fry reading). I was just telling Hubby that it is time to listen to them AGAIN. Gotta have my Harry Potter fix.
I do like the Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley.
But, I will say it. I absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE Harry Potter. Read all the books I don't know how many times (including listening to the audiobooks with Stephan Fry reading). I was just telling Hubby that it is time to listen to them AGAIN. Gotta have my Harry Potter fix.
Cat
I have not read them. I am thinking about it. Maybe I should listen to the audiobooks on my driving days.
I have not read them. I am thinking about it. Maybe I should listen to the audiobooks on my driving days.
There are two audio versions-Jim Dale & Stephen Fry. There is several videos on YouTube comparing the two. Like I said in my previous post, I prefer Stephen Fry.
I can say this without giving anything away in the story but the first book (especially at the beginning), has a bit of Roald Dahl flavor to it until J.K. Rowling found her own voice.
There are two audio versions-Jim Dale & Stephen Fry. There is several videos on YouTube comparing the two. Like I said in my previous post, I prefer Stephen Fry.
I can say this without giving anything away in the story but the first book (especially at the beginning), has a bit of Roald Dahl flavor to it until J.K. Rowling found her own voice.
Cat
Interesting. I did see the first movie, although I am sure that, like all movies made from books, there's a lot more in the book.
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