Dan Simmons Anyone?

[kingricefan]

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.

I am not a fan of his sci-fi (or anyone's sci-fi for that matter, it doesn't interest me) either. I have read his two Hyperion books and the two follow-ups after that, but stopped after that. Yes, I agree, sometimes he does tend to go on and on at certain times, but, as I said before, he is one of the few folks out there that I would call a writer. He excells at every book he writes, whether it be horror, suspense or sci-fi. I realize he's not for everybody, but I will continue to read whatever he writes about (unless it's another sci-fi). At least he doesn't use the same tired storylines.....

 

[Kurben]

I am not a fan of his sci-fi (or anyone's sci-fi for that matter, it doesn't interest me) either. I have read his two Hyperion books and the two follow-ups after that, but stopped after that. Yes, I agree, sometimes he does tend to go on and on at certain times, but, as I said before, he is one of the few folks out there that I would call a writer. He excells at every book he writes, whether it be horror, suspense or sci-fi. I realize he's not for everybody, but I will continue to read whatever he writes about (unless it's another sci-fi). At least he doesn't use the same tired storylines.....

Totally correct. He might be a bit overlong but he isn't boring or repetitive in his stories. That often makes him worth the read.

 

[shookme]

I'm curious to see what Dan has coming out of the shoot next.

 

[kingricefan]

I'm curious to see what Dan has coming out of the shoot next.

I just checked Amazon and Dan's web site- nothing's listed.

 

[shookme]

I just checked Amazon and Dan's web site- nothing's listed.

Hmm...he seems pretty tight-lipped about forthcoming projects.

 

[kingricefan]

Hmm...he seems pretty tight-lipped about forthcoming projects.

I can't remember if he discussed any forth-coming books when I saw him at the booksigning/talk for The Abominable either.

 

[jchanic]

His nextbook, The Fifth Heart, is due out, probably in 2015.

John

 

[kingricefan]

His nextbook, The Fifth Heart, is due out, probably in 2015.

John

Doesn't look like a thick tome like the last 4 or 5.

 

[morgan]

I haven't read Simmons yet-any suggestions for my first? Should I read chronologically?

 

[kingricefan]

I haven't read Simmons yet-any suggestions for my first? Should I read chronologically?

Hi. I would recommend trying out his short story collection Prayers To Broken Stones. Or maybe his novel Summer Of Night (which King called one of the best horror novels of the '90's). Or even his first book Song Of Kali. He writes in so many genres- horror, thriller, suspense, sci-fi. I don't really care for his sci-fi, although in his novel Hyperion he has created one of the most frightening creatures I've come across! Good luck and let us know what you think when you take the plunge (you won't regret it!).

 

[Kurben]

I haven't read Simmons yet-any suggestions for my first? Should I read chronologically?

My faves are Summer of night, The Terror and Carrion Comfort. I agree with Kingricefan about his scifi but i do like other books in the genre. Doesn't matter much in what order you read. Apart from his scifi (Hyperion and so on) they can be read separately. In my opinion he was at his best before he started to overdo it and write really long books. Haven't read his debut (song of Kali) so can't say anything about it.

 

[kingricefan]

My faves are Summer of night, The Terror and Carrion Comfort. I agree with Kingricefan about his scifi but i do like other books in the genre. Doesn't matter much in what order you read. Apart from his scifi (Hyperion and so on) they can be read separately. In my opinion he was at his best before he started to overdo it and write really long books. Haven't read his debut (song of Kali) so can't say anything about it.

Song Of Kali made me never want to visit India.....

 

[king family fan]

I just got one of his sy fi at the library yesterday. Must check the title.

 

[no bounce no play]

I have actually studied this thread lol. Thanks y'all for all the info I ordered Hyperion, The Fall of Hyperion, and Summer of Night. I think I'll read Hyperion first. I like sci-fi so I'm looking forward to it

 

[kingricefan]

I have actually studied this thread lol. Thanks y'all for all the info I ordered Hyperion, The Fall of Hyperion, and Summer of Night. I think I'll read Hyperion first. I like sci-fi so I'm looking forward to it

Beware the Shrike!!!

 

[kingricefan]

His nextbook, The Fifth Heart, is due out, probably in 2015.

John

Looks like he's going to do something about/with Sherlock Holmes....

 

[Tooly]

I find he excels at the historical stuff. I've enjoyed The Terror, Drood and Blackhills immensely! He always puts a nice little twist into these stories.

 

[randallFlaggfan1]

I wanted to be the first to start a thread about the wonderful, very talented writer Dan Simmons! I know that there's lots of us on here who have enjoyed his works. I just came back from a trip to Seattle to meet him at his book signing (for his newest novel 'The Abominable') at Third Place Books this past week. This is the fifth time I have met him. He has written in pretty much every genre of fiction, be it horror, suspense and thriller and has mastered each one! Stephen King has called Simmon's horror novel 'Summer Of Night' the 'best horror novel in the last five years (1991), it is surely one of the best three'. King is quoted as saying 'I am in awe of Dan Simmons.' Simmon's 1st novel 'Song Of Kali' made me want to never visit Calcutta, ever! He has won numerous awards, both in the sci-fi genre and the horror genre. His last four novels 'The Terror, Drood, Black Hills and Flashback' have all been bestsellers, so he is finally getting the recognition for his writings that he has deserved for many years. His first short story 'The River Styx Runs Upstream' was voted best short story by Twilight Zone magazine when it was submitted. If you need a new author to read I don't think you can go wrong with Simmons!

What an honor, Kingricefan, to have not only attended Simmons' book signing, but also to have met him five times! VERY cool! Thankee for sharing. Great idea for this thread, too! Carrion Comfort is easily one of my most beloved books of all time, horror or otherwise, and I'm so glad that he is FINALLY getting the recognition his work deserves!
A couple months back, there was a library book sale and there had a PB copy of The Terror (which I've wanted to read for a couple years now,) and I picked it up for $1. It's in great condition, too. I'm hoping to read it sometime this year!

 

[kingricefan]

What an honor, Kingricefan, to have not only attended Simmons' book signing, but also to have met him five times! VERY cool! Thankee for sharing. Great idea for this thread, too! Carrion Comfort is easily one of my most beloved books of all time, horror or otherwise, and I'm so glad that he is FINALLY getting the recognition his work deserves!
A couple months back, there was a library book sale and there had a PB copy of The Terror (which I've wanted to read for a couple years now,) and I picked it up for $1. It's in great condition, too. I'm hoping to read it sometime this year!

You should enjoy The Terror! Did you read Drood? Did you enjoy it? It's one of my favs!!

 

[randallFlaggfan1]

You should enjoy The Terror! Did you read Drood? Did you enjoy it? It's one of my favs!!

I am sure I will! It is Dan Simmons, after all. I love how versatile he is, too! No, sadly I have not read Drood (I certainly want to, though. A few years ago, the MB's own Muskrat highly recommended it.) I've only read Carrion Comfort, actually.