h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Well, I have just finished Robert Asprin's latest book on the Myth universe.

It was entitled Myth-ion Improbable, and while not the best of his books, it definitely was a good read.

If you haven't read any of the Myth books, I highly recommend them as a source of whimsical Fantasy - although it doesn't really fit a category.

Courtesy

I ahve heard about the Myth series. I will ask a friend if I can borrow a few of those books when I finish the latest series that I am reading.

Steven Donaldson's Gap series. The first two books were gifted to me by a friend and I have read them quite some time ago. I found them and will re-read them to see if I get more out of them this time around. WHile I am not a fan of the Illearth series I like the gap books I have read.

Have you ever read a book that was so good that finding out there's a movie version coming out/already in the market made you cringe in horror?

This is the case with my beloved Sophie's Choice. I'm prepared to avoid the movie for the rest of my life. There's no way they could've brought the story on screen intact and no way they could've made the characters as multi-layered as they were in the book. Why on earth stuff the whole thing in two hours? Plus, the thought of Meryl Streep as Sophie sent shivers down my spine

Liekki -

I completely understand your feelings. I'm a huge fan of Science Fiction (a genre that filmmakers seem to pillage on a regular basis) and I cringe in fear every time they announce a new movie.

The original Dune movie was such a travesty of what the book was that I've never seen it again, however I was very proud of the Sci-Fi channel who made a 6 hour mini-series out of it.

I read somewhere that each page of a book translates to a approximately 1 minute of movie time, so any book over 120 pages tends to be mauled (imho)

Courtesy

Marv -

I'm not sure how esoteric you want to get regarding the easter philosophies books, however, one of the best books ever written is entitled

"The Unfettered Mind" and is a gathering of writing from "the zen master" to "the sword master". I would highly recommend this book also.

On another note, I am getting ready to write a review for the Post and would like input on which review to write first. The choices are:

The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire (volume 1)
Myth-ion Improbable
Ender's Game

Please let me know which one you would like to see first, otherwise I will make a command decision.

Also, if you would like to write a book review, please let me know.

Courtesy

Courtesy - Plato's republic said that Women should be treated as equals to men regarding intelligence and exercise and children should be cared for by the state. that's why it always gets linked to feminism. I thought I'd ask cos I feel the same as you - it's a different culture, the same labels can't be applied and yet it always gets asked by exam boards etc etc.

I like Plato for the comedy effects - people wandering in and out on their way to sacrifices, and Glaucon is such a yes man, his purpose is purely to agree with Plato all the time. I like the Symposium too, purely because the name Symposium means Drinking party....All the best philosophising is done at parties, I was once told by a respected Universtity lecturer that you can't talk about philosophy properly unless it's at 2 am and you've just had a bottle of pernod...

On a differnt note entirely - I am looking for interesting books about / quotes on / fiction , poetry and non-fiction regarding DEATH. Any input from you guys would be warmly welcomed

Well, if you are looking for an interesting take on death, I would recommend Piers Anthony's book "On a Pale Horse", a great and different look at the job of death.

Other than that, I would be interested in the criteria you are looking for. I assume that you have already thought of HP Lovecraft and Poe.

Courtesy

the whole horror thing hadn't actually occured to me, but yes, it's worth a look at.
I was thinking about stuff that described peoples attitudes to death, how grief is experienced, what they dying person thinks about / feels.

Ahhhh ...... then I would HIGHLY recommend The Tibetan Book for the Dead .... and also a book written by a Tibetan monk entitled The Tibetan Book for Living and Dying ...... it has definitely helped me.

Courtesy

Piers Antony? I think I have read some of his stuff and found it a bit puerile, sorry, no offence

Favourite comment on death so far - Francis Bacon -
"Men fear death as children fear to go into the dark; and as that natural fear in children is increased with tales, so is the other."

I am a little fascinated by death (not in a Goth way, more in a scientific / social way), it seems to be such a taboo, no one likes to talk about it at all.

Yes the Tibetan book of the dead - one that I have heard of but don't actually know what it's about. So a quick summary please??
(Also, not actually looking for 'help' about Death, am just curious about peoples attitudes and want to put together something on it.)

and Mythion Impossible - because I have never heard of it and that's a dreadful 'pun'

No offense taken on Piers Anthony, I read his stuff when I was in 7th and 8th grade, haven't read it since.

Summary of the Tibetan Book for the Dead -

A grouping of the Tibetan Budhists philosphies on how to become mentally and spiritually centered for the inevitability of death. If you are not completely into eastern philosophies, then I would recommend the Tibetan Book of Living and Dying, as it discusses the philosophies with a western grounding.

Courteys

I studied Buddhism as part of my Philosophy degree and I'm cool with it, now I just have to get my self in gear and go and purchase a copy

Courtesy,

My vote would be for "Ender's Game" for a coupe of reasons. First, because I have only recently read it. Second, because I dislike Card for other works (the titles of which I cannot recall at this moment).
I would love to get into a debate on the religious aspects of "Ender's Game" being that I live amongst Card's faith and I belive that I understand something of that faith.

On Piers Anthony, there is an interview of Anthony at /. that you can find here ( http://interviews.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=02/07/14/1854209&mode=nested&tid=99 )

This shows a couple of reasons why few read his work after adolesence.

yes, he does come across as a bit of a knob doesn't he?

I have an issue with an author that says the readers must not be picking up on the themes.

Of course, I also have issues with an author that releases books, like Microsoft releases security update

However, this prompts the question ......

1. Which book did you love when you were a child that when re-read paled in comparison?

2. Addendum (corrolary? you know what I mean)..... Which book read as a child was disappointing, but when re-read as an adult gleamed?

Mine are:

1. The Book Of Five Magics - it was a grand plot with unexpected turns when I first read it. I stumbled on it several years ago while moving, re-read it in about 4 hours and was disappointed.

2. The Silmarillion - one of the hardest books I read as a child. Before the movie I re-read it and was completely blown away with the scope of Tolkien's universe.

Courtesy

I read the Jack London books in teh 2nd grade. I loved them very much, but re-reading them again a couple of years ago, they did not have the same bite as teh first time.

LoTR. I treid reading it many many times as a lad, but only read it fully for the first time a few months ago.

I always thought that the Lord Of The Rings was a series of 18 books which people only really read 4.
I've been trying to find a copy of the other 12 Lord of The Rings books, and so far have only found three in second hand book shops, the rest are quite expensive new.

Stephen Donaldson's Gap series is seriously addictive!

<BB<

I like what little I have read of the gap series. I have the first two books, but not the rest (I *might* have the thrid but I cannot find it) So it is worth obtaining you say?