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Are Good Literature Choices Diminshing?

Hey Y'all

My boy loves to read. I browsed his latest novel 'Pilgrim' sci fi written by Sara Douglass- finishing it yesterday & I admit it's left me in a quandry:

(1) My boy picked the book up from the school library- chosen by a consevative librarian who reads stuff before it hits the shelves.
(2)This book certainly is an interesting read
(3)But but but- this book fully describes homosexual rape & incest scenes. Granted, there's so much else going on that maybe my boy wouldn't register it?? But I doubt it.

Guess this is a values thing. I want my boy exposed to authors that share my moral disciplines. But where can I find current science fiction writers that fit that mould?

Diminshing Choices Literature Good Are

I would guess that you would have to simply review any new books.

As for sci-fi, I find that David Webber and Eric Flint have some tremendous works out. They are all war-based, but generally very clean. They aren't terribly graphic in the violence, but they don't shy away from the effects of war, either.

You can't go wrong with the classic sci-fi/fantasy authors though. Tolkein, Heinlein, Asimov, Clarke, Weiss, Hickman, Brooks, Foster, McCaffrey, Moon, etc, etc, etc.

I haven't read a lot of new sci-fi, other than the authors I mentioned above. S.M. Stirling has written with Webber, and I find that his books are pretty good, as well.

Of course, as you can probably tell, I really like the military angle.

Are Good Literature Choices Diminshing? UFO & Writing Art Education Sciences

Thanks Nighthawk. I'll check out your recommendations for Webber & Flint. I love classics and have steered my kids towards them as much as possible but there is a definite increase in inclination to read more contemporary offerings & disregard what they call 'the old stuff'. I have no doubt they label it old stuff because it's coming from 'older generation' me. They'd be perfectly happy with classics recommended by peers. Ahh yes, this is where Tolkien comes in. Thank goodness for the movie & the resurging interest in a most beautiful piece of literature.

Have a nice day

Diminshing Choices Literature Good Are

I've had the two worst problems come up in a "this or that" format. In other words, when it comes to books, I'm left with only two choices. Either read a book filled with bad stuff, or read one that's boring. Sad thing is I'm talking about my so-called "favorite genre" (fantasy). So far, only the Harry Potter books have managed to squeak by without irritating me (except for issues I have with the setting, but that I've been able to deal with). The same cannot be said for Lord of the Rings. In fact, even the Wheel of Time series is starting to slip.

I've asked for recommendations before, but I've given up hope at this point. If you read the off topic note below, you'll see where I've redirected that disappointment. For now, Harry Potter is all that remains for me to read, unless something comes around out of nowhere.

Offtopic but, I'm so annoyed with the state of affairs in literature that I've been toying with the thought of actually WRITING a book. That thought has been in my mind for over a year now. In fact, I've actually started taking that thought so seriously that I may finish a chapter soon (well... a prologue, actually).

Edited: Talduras on 13th Oct, 2004 - 6:38am

Diminshing Choices Literature Good Are

I personally do not find Harry Potter exciting at all, it is such a common and predictable story line. I enjoy a lot the work of Ray Bradbury, I love all his books, he is an amazing writer and his stories are always so full of imagination and creativity.

Are Good Literature Choices Diminshing?

As a whole, or just one book? I skipped the first two (as per the movies) and went to the other three, so that's why I ask. Not to mention I'm guessing you went into reading it expecting something more along the lines of a mystery story (judging from the mention of Bradbury).

On a side note, I did read a Bradbury book ("Something Wicked This Way Comes"). Didn't care for it much, but it had interesting and memorable parts.

I don't know what's missing from some books that irks me, though I know a few issues. If a book seems at all prejudice against an animal I like, then I have a hard time liking it. That happened with Chronicles of Narnia (actually, that's 7 books in one). I also wasn't a fan of D&D's "alignment by color" setup for dragons (refering to the Dragonlance books). Basically, all the good or evil dragons are under separate color classes. I've never understood that.

Are Good Literature Choices Diminshing

Well, both Harry Potter and Ray Bradbury appeal to me. "R is for Rocket" and "Dandelion Wine" was out of this world good.

If a book is too complicated and intricate, I will rarely read it if the first ten pages don't reach out and grab me.

Are Good Literature Choices Diminshing Sciences Education Art Writing & UFO

Kurt Vonegot is also good, if you're looking for classics. Also, Frank Herbert's Dune(s), and Orson Scott Card. He may not be considered a classic science fiction writer, but I like him. He tends to blend science fiction with other things - religion, morals, etc.