What Are You Reading? (continuation...)

[catdaddy]

A different thread dedicated to the discussion of Cixin Liu's The Three Body Problem Trilogy got me curious about it. I'm just now finishing the first book in the trilogy. While I do appreciate the unique quality of the writing and the truly creative approach and insights to science and culture, I won't be continuing on to the next book in the series. It just isn't my cup of tea, but others may find it very compelling. As a disclaimer, I should mention that while I enjoy a lot of science fiction literature, I've found that some universally acclaimed works, such as Dune by Frank Herbert, have not resonated with me, so I would urge anyone with an interest in Sci-Fi to give it a try.

[Aimelie]

Originally Posted by catdaddy

A different thread dedicated to the discussion of Cixin Liu's The Three Body Problem Trilogy got me curious about it. I'm just now finishing the first book in the trilogy. While I do appreciate the unique quality of the writing and the truly creative approach and insights to science and culture, I won't be continuing on to the next book in the series. It just isn't my cup of tea, but others may find it very compelling. As a disclaimer, I should mention that while I enjoy a lot of science fiction literature, I've found that some universally acclaimed works, such as Dune by Frank Herbert, have not resonated with me, so I would urge anyone with an interest in Sci-Fi to give it a try.

Interesting. I bought the digital version of this series a while back but have since held off digging in to it after I read somewhere that it has a serious misogyny flaw (which is typical of older sci-fi, but less so nowadays).

(<shrugs > not necessarily a dealbreaker if the story is really good enough to overlook it, but the book has definitely been moved lower on my list, if true.)

Did that seem to be the case to you, Catdaddy?

[bfm612]

Originally Posted by Aimelie

Interesting. I bought the digital version of this series a while back but have since held off digging in to it after I read somewhere that it has a serious misogyny flaw (which is typical of older sci-fi, but less so nowadays).

(<shrugs > not necessarily a dealbreaker if the story is really good enough to overlook it, but the book has definitely been moved lower on my list, if true.)

Did that seem to be the case to you, Catdaddy?

You're referring to Dune? I didn't read it as misogynist, but it's more gender essentialist (like men are from Mars, women are from Venus). I think if it were written within the last few years, it would be considered sexist, but it doesn't feel out of place coming out of the mid-'60s.

I think it's best to give it a read yourself and see what you think of it. It's not so offensive as to render it unreadable or that I'd recommend you avoid it. I think you can argue either side of that misogyny/gender essentialist debate. I think there's also debate around whether it's colonialist or critical of colonialism, and it's open to interpretation as well, but it only becomes open to interpretation once you've read it.

[Aimelie]

Originally Posted by bfm612

You're referring to Dune? I didn't read it as misogynist, but it's more gender essentialist (like men are from Mars, women are from Venus). I think if it were written within the last few years, it would be considered sexist, but it doesn't feel out of place coming out of the mid-'60s.

I think it's best to give it a read yourself and see what you think of it. It's not so offensive as to render it unreadable or that I'd recommend you avoid it. I think you can argue either side of that misogyny/gender essentialist debate. I think there's also debate around whether it's colonialist or critical of colonialism, and it's open to interpretation as well, but it only becomes open to interpretation once you've read it.

Apologies for not being more clear. No, I meant “The Three Body Problem” (and recognize that maybe it’s a Chinese cultural issue more than anything else).

I read and re-read “Dune” many moons ago. ‘Loved to pieces the newest film, too.

[Don W]

Walk Don't Run - The story of the Ventures.

[J Patrick]

Just picked up a copy of “Never Met A Man I Didn’t Like”……the life and writings of Will Rogers by Joseph Carter….

[David Eastwood]

I’m about halfway through a long-overdue re-read of Lonesome Dove.

It was originally published in 1985, so it’s got to be at least 35 years since I first read it. I’m finding I remember very little of that first encounter, so it’s like reading it anew - and I’m loving it. I can easily lose a couple of hours of an afternoon in this world and its great cast of characters.

IMG_2083.jpg

[bfm612]

Originally Posted by Aimelie

Apologies for not being more clear. No, I meant “The Three Body Problem” (and recognize that maybe it’s a Chinese cultural issue more than anything else).

I read and re-read “Dune” many moons ago. ‘Loved to pieces the newest film, too.

Ah, no, it's my fault. After re-reading your post, I think it's pretty clear you're referring to The Three-Body Problem. BUT, maybe my answer's going to be a little of the same? I didn't think the imbalance in the portrayals of the female characters' vs. the male characters' thinking/action was all too definitively sexist, and there's room to argue for either side as well. In my opinion, the trilogy offers just a ton of sci-fi goodness that it warrants a try if you're so willing.

[Dru Edwards]

Stephen King's Full Dark, No Stars. It's a collection of 4 novellas. I'm on the third one now.

The first story, 1922, was good. I haven't seen the movie yet. The second story, Big Driver, was awesome.

[Aimelie]

Hey Dru! Have you seen that S.K. will have a new one out in September? (Titled “Fairytale”)

I’m so excited for it, I can hardly wait :

https://stephenking.com/upcoming/index.html

[rbock]

I just downloaded A Canticle for Leibowitz off Kindle. I tried reading this a couple of times when I was younger but never could make it beyond the first 100 pages. The download was only $3.99 and I figured it might be a good time to have another go at it.

[catdaddy]

Originally Posted by Aimelie

Interesting. I bought the digital version of this series a while back but have since held off digging in to it after I read somewhere that it has a serious misogyny flaw (which is typical of older sci-fi, but less so nowadays).

(<shrugs > not necessarily a dealbreaker if the story is really good enough to overlook it, but the book has definitely been moved lower on my list, if true.)

Did that seem to be the case to you, Catdaddy?

Any misogyny of which I was aware was depicted in the historical context of the 1960s Chinese cultural revolution where the novel begins. The main character of the story is female and essentially a political prisoner in that era. I suspect it's a fairly accurate portrayal of a time of repression that was not limited to gender. I agree with bfm612's assessment (below) that there was no imbalance in the portrayals of male vs female characters. In fact, I found the female main character to be particularly resilient, intelligent and strong.

I hope that you'll give the book a try. I'd be interested to know if you might perceive a sexist slant that I may have been unaware of or insensitive to.

Originally Posted by bfm612

Ah, no, it's my fault. After re-reading your post, I think it's pretty clear you're referring to The Three-Body Problem. BUT, maybe my answer's going to be a little of the same? I didn't think the imbalance in the portrayals of the female characters' vs. the male characters' thinking/action was all too definitively sexist, and there's room to argue for either side as well. In my opinion, the trilogy offers just a ton of sci-fi goodness that it warrants a try if you're so willing.

[tigobah]

Originally Posted by Photojeep

I just started reading All Things Great And Small.

My wife recommended it tome and we’ve been watching the PBS series of the same name so I thought I’d give it a try.

Unfortunately I think I’ve been spoiled by the PBS series. The book is so different from the series I’m struggling to enjoy it.

Best,
PJ

Funny how those things work. I read all of the James Herriot books when they first came out and really enjoyed them. The original PBS series followed the books very closely and I enjoyed that also. I started to watch the new PBS series and didn't get past the first episode. To my mind they've taken too much liberty with the original stories. I did read that when the original PBS series was made Alf Wight (James Herriot) was still alive and insisted that they hew closely to the books.

[Bob Womack]

Originally Posted by Photojeep

I just started reading All Things Great And Small. My wife recommended it tome and we’ve been watching the PBS series of the same name so I thought I’d give it a try. Unfortunately I think I’ve been spoiled by the PBS series. The book is so different from the series I’m struggling to enjoy it.
Best,
PJ

Originally Posted by tigobah

Funny how those things work. I read all of the James Herriot books when they first came out and really enjoyed them. The original PBS series followed the books very closely and I enjoyed that also. I started to watch the new PBS series and didn't get past the first episode. To my mind they've taken too much liberty with the original stories. I did read that when the original PBS series was made Alf Wight (James Herriot) was still alive and insisted that they hew closely to the books.

And even funnier: I encountered the books first and love them. There's much more gravitas to the books than the original series, which seemed a bit "chuckly" for me. Wight/Herriot was a deft observer of humans and the human spirit and it came out in his portrayals. I haven't heard of the new series and will have to check it out.

Also interestingly, Wight/Herriot had a tremendous impact on me as a writer. His skills as a raconteur influenced my writing in an incredible way, specifically in his method of packaging suspense and payoff.

Bob

[Borderdon]

Currently, C.S. Lewis “The Great Divorce”