Timewaster's Guide Archive
Departments => Books => Topic started by: Nessa on May 25, 2006, 06:06:10 PM
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Anyone read STOLEN CHILD by Keith Donohue? Is it worth reading? I often find 'mainstream fantasy' to be crap (i.e., WICKED by McGuire), so I was wondering if any of you have read it and whether it's worth my time.
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Haven't read it yet, but I've heard good things.
Check out this link:
http://www.randomhouse.com/nanatalese/stolenchild/index.html
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I'd rather have someone from TWG tell me than mainsteam readers, because WICKED got similar reviews.
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You didn't like "Wicked" ? You read it?? My sister loved it, and she's *really* picky about what she'll read, a real anti-conformist.
But I don't plan on reading "Wicked" anyway, it just sounds silly.
If you're looking for an underappreciated fantasy writer that hasn't been sold-out by the masses, try reading "Transformation" by Carol Berg. I loved that one.
That and "Assassin's Apprentice," by Robin Hobb.
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I read WICKED and I loathe it. It's clever and entertaining in a raunchy sort of way, if you go for that sort of thing (it condones adultury and contains other kinky hanky-panky). It was full of plot flaws and inconsistencies--but mainstream fiction readers don't likely see those problems. They'll look at it more as a fairy tale kind of book, and will therefore be more forgiving. Even if the plot careens out of control as it nears the end...like the author was running out of steam.
I will try TRANSFORMATION, thanks for the suggestion. I've read ASSASSIN'S APPRENTICE (I've read all the Fitz books, in fact) and liked it.
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really? I loved wicked... Im a fan of Maguire... I liked the political/religious commentary in it... I dont really like fanatsy generally though...
I guess I can see what your saying though... it does kinda "careen" towards the end...
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Don't know about the book but my Sister, who's probably around caiticlu's age, and her friends love the musical. Heck my dad even flew her and her roommates out to NYC so they could go see it.
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I've heard the musical is good. I've even heard some of the music, and it's cool. The musical doesn't have some of the rather questionable material from the book.
It's rather like the Da Vinci code where the book isn't exactly the epitome of writing and the movie/musical is good...err...or not. I haven't seen either movie or musical, so I guess I shouldn't be the one to make the comparision. I've only read the books.
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read our review: http://www.timewastersguide.com/view.php?id=1466
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SE's 'punk' label has been withdrawn. At least until he inevitably earns it again.
I read this book expecting to hate it. I was pleasantly surprised at how good it was. I would read it again.
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That's good to know. I've been considering reading this book as well, but had the same reservations that you expressed above about "mainstream" fantasy.
BTW, I hated Wicked too--and for similar reasons. I started it on vacation right after my mission (bad idea), and could not get past the excessive details of the mother's sordid love affair with some non-human in the first few chapters. Wondering if it got better, I randomly flipped to the middle and wound up in another sex scene. :P I soon returned the book and got my $ back.
However, I love the music from the musical (we listened to it driving home from Cascadia Con in Seattle last year at MsFish's request), and I was surprised at how good the story was. I think you're right about them cutting the questionable stuff out to make the musical. There might be something there now. ;)