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decemberthirtyWell, I was searching for something to fill the void after the heartbreak of -Lonesome Dove-, and I settled on an old standard, Ursula LeGuin. I got -The Telling-, her latest book, for Christmas and still had not read it, so now I'm about halfway through.
It's good. Like all of her books, it's extremely well-written, full of beautiful, clear, luminous prose. It's got an engaging story and a really fascinating setting. However, it's not great. It may be better than many other authors could do, but it just doesn't measure up to her masterpieces like -The Left Hand of Darkness-, the Earthsea books, -Searoad-, -Always Coming Home-, etc... Of course when a writer has that many books that count as masterpieces (and I could list more!), I suppose it's excusable to produce a book that's merely good.
It's good. Like all of her books, it's extremely well-written, full of beautiful, clear, luminous prose. It's got an engaging story and a really fascinating setting. However, it's not great. It may be better than many other authors could do, but it just doesn't measure up to her masterpieces like -The Left Hand of Darkness-, the Earthsea books, -Searoad-, -Always Coming Home-, etc... Of course when a writer has that many books that count as masterpieces (and I could list more!), I suppose it's excusable to produce a book that's merely good.
Re: hello there. :)
Date: 2001-07-30 09:54 am (UTC)I understand completely the ability (desire?) to cross genre lines; what's good is good, no matter what "type" of book it is.
Early teens for me were filled with lots of Anne McCaffery(sp) and Piers Anthony as far as sci fi/fantasy goes. When I started college, I very rarely picked up those types of book, but every now and then I find things that truly impress/change me.
Ender's Game was one such book; the writing, characterization, and plot were so tight and delightful that I couldn't help but be dramatically impressed. While I didn't like any other books in that series, I did enjoy Ender's Shadow which I really don't count as a "Ender" book.
Byeee