At 11:52 PM 1/24/2003 -0800, you wrote:
G. D. Akin wrote:Welcome to the list, George. As Debbi suggested, All is Brin, but on topic discussions are welcome and encouraged. In fact, I read Bear's Darwin's Radio last month and enjoyed it from start to finish. I'm a bit skeptical of his ideas on how punctuated equilibrium might be effected, but they are interesting all the same. Bear writes well and his characters are intriguing.I've been on this list for two days and received about 125 posts, most in mid-stream it seems. The Nomination Form for the Torcon 3 2003 Hugos is available on the Conjose 2002 site and in the Torcon 3 PR 4. I'm about to send my nominations in. How many on the list think Kiln People is worthy of a Hugo (I've already filled in the form and I won't say if it is there or not.) Just trying to get a feel from the list. BTW, of the 125 posts, not one mentions the works of the Killer B's or Baxter or Vinge, all of whom are listed on the sign up page. Has this list been going so long, that the books are no longer discussed. Just curious. George A
I recently finished Bank's Look to Windward - another excellent read. Set in the Culture universe, cat like aliens seek to redress culture meddling. The usual fantastic Banks constructs including a mammoth orbital described in some detail, interesting aliens including the cat-like antagonists and behmouthars - massive, extremely long lived, balloon like creatures.
I just reread Bank's Inversions, another Culture novel though of a completely different stripe. Set on a pre-industrial world whose inhabitants are ignorant of their alien observers, it's an interesting take on the "Prime Directive" question. Sort of. I wouldn't recommend this one if you haven't read any other Culture novels as some knowledge of that universe is pretty much essential in order to understand what's going on (I suggest either Player of Games or Consider Phlebas for starters). Because of the medieval setting, in almost reads like a fantasy novel, but its a good story that'll make you think and may leave you scratching your head at the conclusion.
Doug
Cat like? I didn't know they were cat like.
Use of Weapons should always be the first Culture book you read, to see if you can stand it. <joking>
Kevin T.
Welcome to the list
_______________________________________________
http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
