"Once I put it down, I couldn't pick it up again"

WibXL

The Sheep Look Up by John Brunner. Whilst it's a very highly rated environmental sci-fi novel I just couldn't get past the fragmented way in which it's told. Shame really as I've managed to persevere through some terrible books and I wouldn't say that it's terrible but I just can't get on with it.

Greg Hook

I was the same with one of Iain Banks sci-fi books. It was written in such an odd style, rather than be told the main character had a certain accent it was written so you had to read it in their accent, which just made it slow and annoying.

richardb70

Sounds like Feersum Endjinn? Yes, one of the viewpoints is written in a phonetic style. Loved the book though but you do need to read those sections carefully. If you've attempted Trainspotting then it's a doddle.

Greg Hook

Yes, that was it. It was not enjoyable to read, so I gave up on it.

richardb70

It's one of his standalones so the good news is that the rest of his sci-fis are much easier to read! I loved the ending of FE though, as well as the world he created (the enormous castle?).

Greg Hook

I've read most of his other sci-fi novels and enjoyed them all, just this one was more had work than it was worth.

richardb70

Have you read Excession or Use of Weapons? For me, they were probably on a par with having to concentrate hard to follow all the threads. UoW made me want to re-read the entire book just as soon as I finished

Aaaaanyway, back on topic.

Greg Hook

Yes, they were good books. Player of Games is one I remember the most.

zog themighty

Crime and Punishment by Dostoyevsky. I still have no idea what the third of the book I read was about.

salad1

OMG if thermopiles hadn't eaten the ciggy I would never have remembered the books at all. good shout. maybe "into the crap"
MV