Do you have a dumb question that you're kind of embarrassed to ask in the main thread? Is there something you're just not sure about?
This is your opportunity to ask questions. No question too simple or too silly.
Culture war topics are accepted, and proposals for a better intro post are appreciated.
Jump in the discussion.
No email address required.
Notes -
Working on a trilogy of (recently-deceased) John Crowley's first 3 novels. I skipped the first one because I couldn't get into it (The Deep). Beasts was the second which had some good writing and interesting ideas but never really cohered into a novel. Currently working on Engine Summer.
Frankly, it's remarkable any of these got published as standalone novels. There are bits of the writing magic he would later develop and many of his later ideas and themes are here, but unless Engine Summer gets radically better, none are particularly noteworthy.
Right now, I'd say his only must-reads are Little, Big and The Solitudes (the rest of the AEgypt cycle definitely doesn't live up to the first one, and the second book especially is such a jarring departure from the first that it's hard to recommend the series). Lord Byron's Novel is interesting to see him write a novel in a historical style plus a frame story, and Ka was a worthwhile read for anyone who likes his style, but I wouldn't call them must-reads.
More options
Context Copy link