This is a question I get asked all the time working in the bookstore: "What would you recommend for somebody who loved "_________"? (fill in the blank)" Usually I can come up with something, but that something can be a bit of a wild guess if it's not a book or genre I normally read. This is where you helpful people come in. If you have a suggestion, I'd love to hear it.
This week I'm partly asking for myself. I just finished reading
Under Heaven, Guy Gavriel Kay's latest book and I quite enjoyed it, although it was very different from most of the novels I read. It's the only one of his books other than the
Fionavar Tapestry trilogy that I've read (and that was years and years ago), although I do have a copy of
The Last Light of the Sun on my
Unread Books List. I'd like to know what other authors you might suggest as I might like to read them myself.
Guy Gavriel Kay writes fantasy overlayed onto history, or is it history overlayed onto fantasy? Either way, he takes a particular culture and uses it as the basis for the people and worlds he creates. He's done Byzantium, the Vikings and the Chinese that I remember, and I think also the ancient Celts. The books are very detailed and feel quite 'real'.
So, what would you recommend?
3 comments:
I haven't read either Wilbur Smith or Conn Iggulden, but I get the impression they're reasonably similar at least in concept. Can't think of anyone else at the moment, though.
I think Conn Iggulden is more straight historical fiction! I just stopped by to say that it sounds like I really need to read Guy Gavriel Kay!
Iggulden is someone that I've seen people buying all the time. Will have to give him a try sometime. Thanks for the reminder Anassa and Marg.
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