SciFi and Fantasy Book Club discussion

I have finished The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy & I'm sorry to say this but it's a huge disappointment. I know this book is beloved by many but it just didn't satisfy me.

Here's my first ever 1 star review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...


Now to overcome my current reading slump caused by Hitchhiker's, I'm reading And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie.

Mystic wrote: "I have finished The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy & I'm sorry to say this but it's a huge disappointment. I know this book is..."

I never even finished it. Don't feel bad.

Jennifer wrote: "Mystic wrote: "I have finished The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy & I'm sorry to say this but it's a huge disappointment. I kn..."

I shouldn't have finished it as well. Wasted 10 days on it.

Ha, I've read both Hitchhiker's and Restaurant several times. They're quite literally comfort reading for me. Maybe it's one of those "the golden age of SF is 12" things, and if I'd read it first when I was 30 rather than in my teens, I would think differently about it.

(The rest of the series has rare high points but is in general pretty unreadable imo. I've never read the 5th one.)

lol

I wasn't a big fan of it when I read it as a kid but I was wondering if I was wrong? That maybe it's better than I remember. My library has the BBC Drama audiobooks. I think that will be a fun way to re-read the books. Well, if I get beyond the first one. =D

I dunno, Soo. I tried to read both Asimov and Heinlein at about that age and just bounced off and haven't tried again since. I'm not sure what I'm saying except that maybe some tastes are entrenched earlier than we think. Nothing is universally loved, not even stories about the universe. ;)

I actually enjoyed Heinlein as a kid, but it also had a few ideas that tripped my brain into overdrive of consequence & possibilities that seemed more horrific than the horror stories. lol

Now, Heinlein is kind of like comfort food. Asimov is dry as crap. I'll probably try again with audio. Media format makes a small to large impact on the story. The BBC dramatic recordings may have more fun in it than the book had. Not that I'm in a rush to listen to Hitchhiker's.

The first time I read the Hobbit & the Lord of the Rings was in 5th grade. Loved the books back then and when I tried to read the Hobbit again in my 20's, I couldn't handle the overt descriptions that engorge the opening. Hello, sleeping! lol

That said, I still love them but I re-read the trilogy without the Hobbit. =)

given that The Hobbit was aimed at children, your reaction makes sense

I'm another one that never got into the Hitchhiker's Guide at all. I'm not much into comedy in any media except that that naturally occurs in a book, TV show or movie (don't watch sitcoms and wasn't a big fan of The Princess Bride either).

That said, I like Andre Norton and a lot of people don't, so I kinda figure toe each their own, but don't try to convince me I should like something if it's comedic (I do make an exception for Some Like it Hot and The Witches of Karres).

People don't like Andre Norton? That's weird to me. Haha =D

I loved the Halfblood Chronicles. Then again, that series had been co-written with Lackey. Hm, I've read more Lackey than Norton. That I can recall. Still, I'm a fan.

i wonder if people think about the year these books were written compared to the year they are being read as well as the age of the reader.

concepts in the 50's (on tv , in the paper etc) made reading Asimov a thrill, something totally different to other books.

ditto Heinlein.

But times change, attitudes change, when i read these two authors now i am suprised at various cultural changes, the stories arent as "wow" factor as they were back then.

But i dont think that is because i have grown up, more that life has changed and i cant see that reflected in the books

Then again i read these older books and try and ignore these changes and just accept them for what they are.

i notice no one ever discusses John Wyndham's books. He seems to have been able to be acceptable to even today's culture

I read Asimov as a preteen/young teen in the mid 70s and it was OK and I loved Hitchhikers Guide when I read it later at 18 and 19. And every time I’ve reread it since. Probably those memories of having it read to me in my final year of school keeps the warm fuzzies going but it is just like sliding into a warm bubble bath and I feel safe and content when I’m reading/listening to/watching it. But as we say...everyone is different.

Hubby is currently reading Stranger in a Strange Land. He says it’s ok. I haven’t read any Heinlein before. Strange but true. Our small country library had a very limited speculative fiction section. Anyhoo...I brought it with me to read out here in the Outback and haven’t done much reading at all. I’m still making masks. It’s all rather tedious but necessary. He recently finished Fool Moon by Jim Butcher. He liked it. High praise. Not sure if he wants to read book 3 yet. I’ll have to ask him. If he wants to read something I have to buy physical copies since he refuses to read off a screen since he works with one so much. He says he reads a book to get away from screens so an ebook just won’t cut it. He also recently finished The Expats by Chris Pavone. Also OK. Nothing is ever brilliant to him for some reason and he won’t say if he ever loved a book. Maybe Lord of the Rings got close. And he does like Harry Potter and even takes us to HP related things and was as excited as the kids and I when a new book came out or a new movie came out.

I’m still reading Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo. Even read a bit on the weekend which was unusual. I don’t think I’m going to hit 30 books this year let alone the 52 I was hoping for. And nowhere near the 80 something I read the first year I started reading again.

I was given a copy of Danse Macabre by Stephen King in the weekend, so started that.

A fascinating insight, from Stephen King's point of view, of the book/film/tv horror and science fiction world in the mid to late 20th century. Loving how he dissects where he thinks the movie 'Alien' tips into the horror genre.

Kateb wrote: "i wonder if people think about the year these books were written compared to the year they are being read as well as the age of the reader."

Yeah. Both of these are why I don't have an interest in going back to read anything by either Heinlein or Asimov. They were definitely writing for a different audience and a different time. I'm not sure I'd be able to do justice to an explanation of why without rereading them and ...

On the other hand I still like the The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy universe. Mostly. It's decades newer, though, and less overtly political. I also read it back when it was first so popular. It ended up embedded in the culture of the time and that combined with friends reading it as well added a nostalgia factor. My wife and I both still keep track of our towels. Plus the text adventure game version was great fun. I might think it was just silly if I were reading it now for the first time.

Comedy is always a reflection of it’s time. Hitchhiker’s Guide is no different- I’m sure the joke of Ford Prefect’s name flies right over the heads of most people who didn’t live in late 70s England, and there are more than a few others that just don’t seem like jokes any more (what with the internet and wikipedia actually existing, now).

There are also plenty of people who, at the time, didn’t find it funny, because humor is very subjective - especially humor that involves fantastic technology. Some things, of course, will always be funny (looking at you, Lysistrata!)

I didn’t live in late 70s England but I still got it. They did make them here apparently but I hadn’t heard of one before. Which is weird since my dad was a panel beater and I was around cars my entire life. I’m sure if it was today they’d make Douglas Adams change it to Ford Mustang or something for the American audience. They change things all the time so that it doesn’t confuse people overseas. Anyhoo....

Toyota Corolla just doesn’t have the same ring to it.

When they made the Dutch translation of the radio play of The Hitchhiker's Guide they changed the names to more 'Dutch' things so he became Amro Bank, which -unfortunately- by the time I listened to it, was incredibly outdated again.

yet there are still some old books that need to be read because of references to our culture eg Dune, Hitchhikers guide, Crystalids, asmivo's robot series to remember why we talk about the 3 laws., Hobbit etc,

i wonder if anybody else can think of an old book that has influenced references today

Kateb wrote: "i wonder if anybody else can think of an old book that has influenced references today"

anything by Shakespeare
R.U.R. by Karel Čapek because it introduced the word robot
The Time Machine by H.G. Wells for time travel

Lowell wrote: "Toyota Corolla just doesn’t have the same ring to it."

No it doesn't. Volkswagon Beetle doesn't either. What about Ford Pinto?

Raucous wrote: "Kateb wrote: "i wonder if people think about the year these books were written compared to the year they are being read as well as the age of the reader."

Yeah. Both of these are why I don't have ..."

While I agree that they were writing for a different time, it does make me wonder how well the Foundation series will go over.

Kateb wrote: "yet there are still some old books that need to be read because of references to our culture eg Dune, Hitchhikers guide, Crystalids, asmivo's robot series to remember why we talk about the 3 laws.,..."

I have read all the others, but Crystalids? I am not sure I have even heard of that before.

Dj wrote: "Kateb wrote: "yet there are still some old books that need to be read because of references to our culture eg Dune, Hitchhikers guide, Crystalids, asmivo's robot series to remember why we talk abou..."

I am guessing The Chrysalids

I also didn't like Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. Other than rare hilarious jokes here and there, i found it completely boring.

New to posting in this group, so I hope to keep this simple, for a start.

Currently reading The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern. About halfway through. I find it involving and full of interesting imagery. The plot appears to be secondary to the unfolding of curiosities, but works for me.

welcome, Malcom! I've been meaning to get to that one as I loved Night Circus. I'll be curious what you think at the end.

I started reading the The Starfarers Quartet and I liked the first book, Starfarers very much. I really liked the writing style of Vonda N. McIntyre

I still have Starfarers Quartet to read, Leticia. But having just finished a reread of Dreamsnake, I think I’ll take a break from McIntyre for now.

Reading To Be Taught, If Fortunate, and really enjoying the Science nerdiness of it. Wondering if a plot is going to emerge.

Since I bought a Worldcon membership, I try to get as much overview as possible over the new releases. I've read

Drowned Country by Emily Tesh, the second part of a novella duology where I appreciated the first part a lot. Unfortunately the second part went down the unrequited relationship road with some mythology thrown in as a thinnly veiled plot device to get the two lovers work together. I was disappointed.

The other 3, though, were solid 4 star reads:

Riot Baby by Tochi Onyebuchi, an angry, stream of consciousness style story about the injustice done towards the black community. Only slightly supernatural.

The Mother Code by Carole Stivers, a story about a biological weapon gone wrong and the desperate attempts of a group of scientists to save at least part of humankind. A bit weak on the character side, but strong on SF and biochemistry.

The Oppenheimer Alternative by Robert J. Sawyer, a skillfully written alternate history around Oppenheimer and the scientific geniuses who made possible the atom bomb. I enjoyed it a lot how the author brought those famous names to life.

Gabi wrote: "... The Oppenheimer Alternative by Robert J. Sawyer, a skillfully written alternate history around Oppenheimer and the scientific geniuses who made possible the atom bomb. I enjoyed it a lot how the author brought those famous names to life..."

I know the setting and knew some of the people involved so this looks like a must read for me. Thanks!

I'm currently reading Pushing Ice. I'm enjoying the world building and situation but some of the characters seem, umm..., overwrought.

I'm rereading the first three Stormlight books as I wait for the publication of Rhythm of War. Just finished The Way of Kings, and it was even better the second time around. November is going to be so great!

@Travis: oh yes! I'm starting my re-read soon (will be the third time for me)

Phrynne wrote: "Dj wrote: "Kateb wrote: "yet there are still some old books that need to be read because of references to our culture eg Dune, Hitchhikers guide, Crystalids, asmivo's robot series to remember why w..."

Well, it is on my to-read list, but I think I got that from the group read list. I can't say that I ever heard of it outside of the group. Which may or may not be all that much of a surprise. I am not known for keeping up on the Sci-Fi side of things all that well. I will hae to give it a look sometime in the future.

Phrynne wrote: "Dj wrote: "Kateb wrote: "yet there are still some old books that need to be read because of references to our culture eg Dune, Hitchhikers guide, Crystalids, asmivo's robot series to remember why w..."

Well, it is on my to-read list, but I think I got that from the group read list. I can't say that I ever heard of it outside of the group. Which may or may not be all that much of a surprise. I am not known for keeping up on the Sci-Fi side of things all that well. I will hae to give it a look sometime in the future.

Raucous wrote: "I know the setting and knew some of the people involved so this looks like a must read for me. Thanks!."

Oh, wow! That is awesome! I'm curious to hear your toughts as an insider.

Gabi wrote: "@Travis: oh yes! I'm starting my re-read soon (will be the third time for me)"

Yes! I actually think I remember Books 2 and 3 a bit less than Book 1, so I'm especially looking forward to those.

Palash, My sentiments exactly on "Hitchhikers guide to the Galaxy" much ado about crap! I like my humor in real time or integrated into a story. And for my money, if you're going for irreverent comedy, witty and clever... Christopher Moore has a seemingly endless supply.

Don wrote: "Palash, My sentiments exactly on "Hitchhikers guide to the Galaxy" much ado about crap! I like my humor in real time or integrated into a story. And for my money, if you're going for irreverent com..."

Okay. I will give you the Moore comment hands down. I keep trying to get my Mom, who recently decided to become 'very' Catholic to read Lamb.

This is my review for: The Explainer which for some reason isn't showing up as a link to add a book, but did show up as one for my read list. 'Shrugs'

This is a book of nothing but short explanations on things that come up in the news from time to time. So you get answers for questions like What is corking a Bat and is it effective. How does Pardon work? Could Obama, Clinton, or GW Bush become a three-term President legally? And many others. It is a great book to read and I think I might have to see if I can find the sources for the book online. Would be nice to keep up to date with these things.

Destroyer of Worlds by Larry Correia

I’ve been thinking about the “I love it/I hate it” thing with Hitchhikers Guide. Maybe it’s a country thing. Pommy humour and American humour are two different things. I was brought up with English comedies in 1960s and 70s Australia and I find them hilarious. I can watch Mrs Browns Boys over and over and still end up pissing myself laughing. Most American comedies leave me cold. But that’s just me. I like American dramas but not most of their comedies. Except I do like Big Bang and 2 and a half men and Mike and Molly. But they’re made by Chuck Lorre so it might just be him I like.

Jacqueline, Big Bang and 2-1/2 men were the most successful comedies in their time. Modern Family was also pretty good. I thought Fraiser was great, 3rd Rock was silly but often laugh out loud funny. One thing I heard was, that they are redoing "All The Creature Great and Small" I love that show. Jacqueline, I think you have a good eye and don't waste your time on second rate comedy.

.....uh well... uhmmm "All The Creatures Great and Small" might have been a book I was reading recently or something.

Not a fan of Modern Family and I can’t stand The Office which everyone seems to love. Including my daughter. She has more of an American sense of humour. So donny boys. Never got into the others.

I must say I am a fan of The Simpsons, Futurama, Family Guy and American Dad. Oh and South Park. Maybe I prefer my American comedy animated lol

I know that "Hitchhikers guide to the Galaxy" has a strong following, I just didn't get it and feel that people that do, should be watched, monitored and possibly medicated... just kidding...no I'm not...most definitely kidding...not

American sense of humor? what? Australian's don't laugh at "Cats eating ice cream?".

I used to read the James Herriot books back when I was younger. I loved All Creatures Great and Small. They did make a TV series at one point and it was good. There is a reality TV show set in the modern day practice that he set up. The Yorkshire Vet. We watch it most Saturday nights. Our dog watches it. He likes watching all the animals.

"Cats eating ice cream" is also a book I am recently reading.

And here’s me thinking that people who don’t get it need watching and medicating 🤪

I am amused at cats eating ice cream but it doesn’t have me laughing out loud.

And there is a regional difference in a sense of humour but as I said the Australian sense of humour seems to be changing since my kids are more into American shows than English. I must say I don’t find a lot of Australian comedy funny anymore either. It’s more of an American style now.

Anyhoo.....I’ve got to go and get ready to go to the Pub and be surrounded by 5G gives you coronavirus/Bill Gates wants to microchip us/coronavirus is all a hoax/you need to drink redox stimulating molecules to fix whatever ails you idiots. I’d rather be reading Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo. I’ve actually read a couple of hundred pages in the last few days. More than I’ve read in ages.