Debate, and discuss, just dont Bore me.
Or am I just too old?
Published on March 4, 2005 By Dr Guy In Misc

I am an avid reader.  As a child, I read many books, and almost all the classic Science Fiction that I could get my hands on.  These years, I still read a lot, but most of it is Technical manuals.  I read for enjoyment about 2-3 books a year, usually on the long flights to California I take a couple of times a year.

My Latest endeavor is to read Brian Herbert, Frank's son.  For the uninitiated, Frank Herbert wrote the masterful Dune Series.  One of my all time favorite (my all time favorite is the foundation series by Isaac Asimov).

Well, I decided to give Brian a try.  Usually I retire a series upon the death of the original author as I know that any subsequent material cannot live up to the original.  But hey, everyone deserves a chance.

The book is not bad, but maybe it is just me, or maybe he is not that good of an author, but I have found myself guessing ahead of time the plot line.  I call it telegraphing.  It is kind of disappointing that before you read a chapter, you already know the ending.

I heard once that there are only 7 different plots in fiction, and that every book is just a variation on one of them.  I dont know if this is true, but I have found that most of the books I read now, I know the plot before the author unfolds it.

Does anyone else have this problem?  It really kind of makes the book suck.  I will finish this book, but I may have difficulty reading another by this author.  ANd he is not the only one.

Am I too old to enjoy good literature?  Or has all the good SciFi literature already been written?


Comments (Page 2)
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on Mar 04, 2005
Dr. Guy, please allow me to recommend "The Zenith Angle" by Bruce Sterling.
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0345460618/qid=1109976632/sr=1-4/ref=sr_1_4/102-8402695-0316115?v=glance&s=books

Original and though-provoking.
on Mar 04, 2005

Dr. Guy, please allow me to recommend "The Zenith Angle" by Bruce Sterling.
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0345460618/qid=1109976632/sr=1-4/ref=sr_1_4/102-8402695-0316115?v=glance&s=books

Original and though-provoking.

Well, I really was just asking a question, but with all these recommendations, I dont guess I will want for literature in the near term!  Thanks Larry, and to all.  I hate buying an author cold, but with these recommendations, I think I have a nice source of reading for the next couple of years at least!

on Mar 04, 2005
It's not a question of what the story is.

There really aren't that many, and all of them are about the human experience.

It's a question of how well that story is told. For me, Frank Herbert does an excellent job of telling the story. It's the same old story of power and responsibility, certainty and doubt, confidence and fear, enlightenment and ignorance, that we all live out every day in our own lives. But he makes it fresh and new for me, and gives me incredible new insights into myself and my fellow humans, our history, and our hopes for the future. Good storytellers tell the same stories as bad storytellers, only so much better.

His son? Not such a good storyteller. You'd learn more from the story of Brian Herbert's life than you would from the stories Brian Herbert writes.

Stories are kind of like jokes: The joke remains the same; the laughter is in the telling.
on Mar 04, 2005
Is that for real? Or just a damn good guess?


what I heard while chatting with TOM, ARNIE, THAT JACKSON MAN, a couple others.
on Mar 04, 2005
The Seven Basic Plots to a Story:

1. Overcoming the Monster

2. Rags to Riches

3. The Quest

4. Voyage and Return

5. Comedy

6. Tragedy

7. Rebirth

I like what stutefish said, "Stories are like jokes; the jokes remain the same, the laughter is in the telling." Every book is similar to another in its story, the only difference is in the competence of the writer to keep us going. My favorite writer for this is Stephen King. If you're not a King fan, I'm sorry. If you prefer the more fantasy type stories or the Middle Earth stuff, try Tad Williams. The man is a great storyteller.
on Mar 04, 2005
Let me know if you like the series. I wouldnt mind hearing someone elses opinion. My husband and my mother are both reading them too but i would welcome someone elses insight also.
on Mar 04, 2005
Reply By: NebraskawomanPosted: Friday, March 04, 2005My husband and I are both currently reading a series by Laurell K. Hamilton. It's the Anita Blake series. It's a cross of horror/sci fi/romance genres. If you are looking for a good series try this one. My husband hates to read but he got hooked after reading the first couple chapters of the first book in this series, Guilty Pleasures. There are currently 12 books out in the series with the 13th coming in 2006. here is her homepage: Link And this link is too excerpts from all of her books: LinkThe main character is a vampire hunter and necromancer. They are great books full of humor, magic and some blood. Check it out. I hope you like them. Plus, there are so many twists and turns in these books that once you get into it you can't tell where you are going.


i am starved for something new to read thank you , nebreska.
on Mar 05, 2005
Or has all the good SciFi literature already been written? That's like asking if we should have stopped reading beyond Arthur Clarke.
on Mar 05, 2005
What fascinates me isn't how many (or how few) plots there may be, but how many places the imagination and imagery of us mere mortals are able to go with those 7.

Of course, some writers fail in miserably in the imagination and imagery department, but look how many succeed beyond even their wildest dreams.

Kind of freaks you out, don't it!! ;~D
on Mar 05, 2005
For an avid reader you should take another look at that headline homey.

-suspeckted
on Mar 05, 2005
Hey Dr Guy

I've been chattin with LittleWhip and seeing she is confined to her own blog..she has asked me to say to you that was reading your article and recommend these books:

Ghormangast Trilogy by Mervin Peake

they are favorites of Simon's, who is a notorious sci-fi/fantasy fanatic and that she enjoys them as well.

Cheers!

on Mar 05, 2005

I like what stutefish said, "Stories are like jokes; the jokes remain the same, the laughter is in the telling." Every book is similar to another in its story, the only difference is in the competence of the writer to keep us going.

I agree.  I gave him an insightful.  I like steven King as well, but I never did finish the Pet Semetary.  My daughter at the time was the age of the son.  It hit too close to home!  Eerie!

on Mar 05, 2005

Or has all the good SciFi literature already been written? That's like asking if we should have stopped reading beyond Arthur Clarke.

It is.  I love Theodore Sturgeon, Asimov, Clarke, Heinlien, Herbert. Farmer.  But Give me a good one that is in their league writing today.  I am serious.  I just dont see anyone of their caliber writing today.

on Mar 05, 2005

Kind of freaks you out, don't it!! ;~D

Indeed it does!  I guess I was just expecting too much from Brian Herbert and Ann whats her name (the murder mystery).  But at least I have some damn good leads off this!  I did not expect that, but I am very pleased!

on Mar 05, 2005

For an avid reader you should take another look at that headline homey.

I read I dont write!  Now you know the rest of the story!

BTW:  An anon already pointed it out.  So now you know my grammar sucks!

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