[Keir Maxwell]

Originally posted by licker:

As to Covenent being a bit of a drag... well yes things did bog down a bit in the third books of the two series, and Covenent was a drag, however, I think that was part of the point of his journey.

Indeed. By the second series he had overcome his personel paralysis and was ready to kick butt. I certainly enjoyed the world SD created.

Anyway, glad to hear you liked the Gap series, that was a fabulous read for me, especially after you got through the first novella, which contained most if not all of the disturbing elements.

I think you are forgetting the scene with the cigerettes being put out. Still the worst certainly came first. I'm not adverse to disturbing at times as the real world is pretty disturbing at times and struggling to understand how the world ticks is one of my primary joys/obsessions - disturbing and all.

I think the Gap serious is top notch science fiction and a big step ahead of Donaldsons other work.

Have you tried Dan Simmons? Hyperion (Sci-fi) and its sequals are stunning if you are that way inclined. Dan Simmons was sort of "discovered" by Steven Donaldson at a learning to write course and after Dan Simmons (a student on SD's course) read out his short story SD said somehting like "I have always wished i could write like that." Dan Simmons is an awesone writer. His story telling is so compelling and his horror novels are exactly that.

Lastly, Stephen King?!?!?!?? What were they smoking

I haven't read much Steven King and what I have convinced me that he was badly in need of a good editor - man does he overwrite. You could halve the size of the books of his I've read and you would be doing them a big favour.

Here is a fun dominons reading list. Historical fiction is the best way to enjoy history and here are some of the best.

Mary Renault - I worship at thy feet.
Cecilia Holland - Rakossey, Rakossey, where for art though Rakossey? Also "Until the Sun Falls" is the an incredibly enthralling account of the mongols conquering.
Rosemary Sutcliff - young adult? Boy are they lucky. Read everything she's written set before 1500AD and it will be a journey of joy through the history of the british isles. Mostly read "A Knights Fee" as this provides so much of the basics regarding how feudalism actually worked. "Dawn Wind" is a brilliant account of the devestation that war leaves in its trail.

I could keep going but these are probably the big three in my opinion. There are many other great historical novels but these authors are distinguished by their breadth, consistency, quality and attention to history.

There is no real point going on with the substantive debate on the "reality" of Dominions. Without at least commen ground for disagreeing upon what is the point?

Don't worry, be happy

Keir