Dan Simmons Anyone?

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kingricefan

All-being, keeper of Space, Time & Dimension.
Jul 11, 2006
30,011
127,446
Spokane, WA
Song of Kali was Simmons' first book. I got it when it first came out and loved it. I don't care THAT much about his SF books, but I've really enjoyed almost all his "historical" novels, such as The Terror, Drood and The Abominable.

John
I am right there with you, John. I don't really care for the sci-fi ones either, tho I did read the first three of them. They were very well written and very believable- his interpretation of what could happen to humankind is very scary. I've loved every book he has done. Some alot more than others but whatever he writes about, it is good! Another I didn't really care for was Fires In Eden. Couldn't really tell if he was trying to do comedy or not in that one.......Absolutely loved Drood!
 

jt0565

Well-Known Member
Feb 26, 2007
108
445
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Denver
There is a short story of his called Orphans of the Helix that was originally intended to be a Star Trek episode. Not sure if it was for Next Generation or Deep Sleep 90210 (can you tell I didn't care for that spinoff?) but it never got filmed. I would highly recommend it if you liked his SF writing or not.

I would also say that Summer of Night is one of the all time great Horror novels. Fires of Eden have a couple of the characters from that one later in their lives and A winter haunting is a sequel to it and is amazing as well. I love his horror and SF novels. I like his historical stuff but did not much care for his lates work the Abominable.
 

kingricefan

All-being, keeper of Space, Time & Dimension.
Jul 11, 2006
30,011
127,446
Spokane, WA
I've hit the halfway point in The Abominable (can't seem to find the time I want to read it!) and am LOVING it!
Finished The Abominable last night. I enjoyed the book but it's not going to be a favorite. It was a little too long with Simmon's going too deep into the descriptions of the mountain climbing. I get that it's Mt. Everest and all and that's it's cold and windy and wet and icy and slippery and treacherous there, but just get on with the story. He did hit me with an unseen twist towards the end tho. Still, all and all, an excellant read!
 

shookme

Obscure Member
Mar 19, 2013
608
1,243
Michigan
Finished The Abominable last night. I enjoyed the book but it's not going to be a favorite. It was a little too long with Simmon's going too deep into the descriptions of the mountain climbing. I get that it's Mt. Everest and all and that's it's cold and windy and wet and icy and slippery and treacherous there, but just get on with the story. He did hit me with an unseen twist towards the end tho. Still, all and all, an excellant read!
I'm glad you stuck with it! The story is not what you would expect toward the end.
 

kingricefan

All-being, keeper of Space, Time & Dimension.
Jul 11, 2006
30,011
127,446
Spokane, WA
I'm glad you stuck with it! The story is not what you would expect toward the end.
It wasn't what I expected but I like it when an author that I have been reading for years (and I have been reading Simmons since Dark Harvest published Carrion Comfort) has the ability to surprise me. Simmons never has really let me down. There have been a couple of his books that I have not been enthralled with but none that I downright didn't like and/or enjoy. He is such a good writer and deserves more recognition than what he gets. Now that he has hit the bestsellers list with his last five books and is gaining a wider and loyal readership perhaps that is beginning to change? This is a writer who has worked and toiled for years and has honed his craft with each new novel. He has been the book critics 'darling' for many years. The accolades are well deserved. He is, in every sense of the word, a writer!
 

ghost19

"Have I run too far to get home?"
Sep 25, 2011
8,926
56,578
51
Arkansas
I'm about two thirds of the way thru Summer of Night. It's very good. Carrion Comfort was ok, but this one is very good. I was almost ready to write Simmons off but this story is very spooky and well written. I'm going to grab a couple more books by Mr. Simmons and see if the trend remains.
 

doowopgirl

very avid fan
Aug 7, 2009
6,946
25,119
65
dublin ireland
I'm about two thirds of the way thru Summer of Night. It's very good. Carrion Comfort was ok, but this one is very good. I was almost ready to write Simmons off but this story is very spooky and well written. I'm going to grab a couple more books by Mr. Simmons and see if the trend remains.
I loved Carrion Comfort, so I'll check out Summer of Night.
 

RandallFlagg19

Well-Known Member
May 5, 2014
809
6,209
38
I am reading "Drood" which is the first Dan Simons book I have read/reading and I don't know how this book relates to the authors style but I am finding the structure of this book a put off. I am not sure if all the many tangents are going to connect by the end of the story or not.
 

kingricefan

All-being, keeper of Space, Time & Dimension.
Jul 11, 2006
30,011
127,446
Spokane, WA
I am reading "Drood" which is the first Dan Simons book I have read/reading and I don't know how this book relates to the authors style but I am finding the structure of this book a put off. I am not sure if all the many tangents are going to connect by the end of the story or not.
Just give yourself over to the atmosphere of the novel. Keep in mind that the story is being told to you by Wilkie Collins, who was a well-known user of drugs back then.
 

Kurben

The Fool on the Hill
Apr 12, 2014
9,682
65,192
59
sweden
It wasn't what I expected but I like it when an author that I have been reading for years (and I have been reading Simmons since Dark Harvest published Carrion Comfort) has the ability to surprise me. Simmons never has really let me down. There have been a couple of his books that I have not been enthralled with but none that I downright didn't like and/or enjoy. He is such a good writer and deserves more recognition than what he gets. Now that he has hit the bestsellers list with his last five books and is gaining a wider and loyal readership perhaps that is beginning to change? This is a writer who has worked and toiled for years and has honed his craft with each new novel. He has been the book critics 'darling' for many years. The accolades are well deserved. He is, in every sense of the word, a writer!
Don't you think Simmons has a tendency too write a little too much sometimes. I sometimes feel with him that he would have been well adviced to shorten the book, especially in his later novels. Have read his SF-stuff which i personally deem less interesting than the majority it seems. Hyperion was OK but a lot of the others are screaming for an editor to say cut. His scary stuff is better and he can, as you said, write but often a bit too long. When the story craves an ending then end it.