Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Path: utzoo!lsuc!pesnta!amd!vecpyr!lll-lcc!lll-crg!seismo!mcvax!ukc!scifi From: scifi@ukc.ac.uk (I.L.Sewell) Newsgroups: net.sf-lovers Subject: Re: Book Recommendations Message-ID: <695@eagle.ukc.ac.uk> Date: Tue, 4-Feb-86 13:07:30 EST Article-I.D.: eagle.695 Posted: Tue Feb 4 13:07:30 1986 Date-Received: Thu, 6-Feb-86 20:01:19 EST References: <1166@caip.RUTGERS.EDU> Reply-To: scifi@ukc.UUCP (I.L.Sewell) Distribution: net Organization: U of Kent at Canterbury, Canterbury, UK Lines: 30 In article <1166@caip.RUTGERS.EDU> daemon@caip.UUCP writes: >From: "Daniel P. Dern" > >Thanks to all who responded directly or indirectly to my query about >Gordon Dickson's FINAL ENCYCLOPEDIA. By that point, I was already halfway >into a copy. I wish to confirm, in my opinion, the book is a "good read." >After reading [pause to don HEFLMP garb] ROBOTS & EMPIRE, and CAT WHO WALKED >THROUGH WALLS, it was gratifying to read a book by an author I've enjoyed >for ~ two decades and have it be 'up to par.' Dickson is a good writer - >competant enough that he doesn't intrude. It was clear from the beginning >that he knew in advance where the book was going, and by what route. >And at the end, he had indeed gotten there. It doesn't hurt to have read >the preceeding books; it certainly gives more context to the events. >Again: a good read. The book may be a good read but in my opinion you read 500+ pages to get ..well no where really. I agree Dickson is a good writer I wouldn't have the book otherwise, and he keeps you hooked right to the end where the book falls flat on its face. Okay there is nothing wrong with the end but as the culmination of a twelve(?) volume saga and 500+ pages you expect a bit of a climax. In fact the book is such written that a climax is really expected, okay not a galactic war but al least a confrontation with an ending and not the 'okay you've beaten me at the moment but I'll get back at you sometime ' we were given. This really spoilt the whole book for me. Okay now you can flame! Ian Sewell "Its winter and your all leaves - BANG"