I have never read Dune or any Frank Herbert, for that matter.
I am kinda a short story reader more than a novel guy, but I just looked to see if Herbert has a short story collection, and he definitely does. I'm gonna check them out.
Right the fuck on! the books put the movies to shame. Especially, the 80’s version (there are no sound weapons, past Hollywood imagination). Please read the whole “Dune” series, once you get rolling you won’t put it down, I promise, or at least the first three…boy, oh, boy will you get some inspiration! with your skill set? I’d bet money it will blast you out of this universe. The only thing that compares to it is Tolkien.
Nathan your craft is excellent here. I love the dense, atmospheric storytelling, and how you make a familiar setting, a mall, into a strange, post-apocalyptic wasteland.
The 'far-future technology resembling magic' theme gives me serious Gene Wolfe vibes, of whom I am also a huge fan, and I consider him to be a strong influence on my science-fiction work as well. Am I pegging you correctly?
Thank you reading, and all the kind words. I have never read any Gene Wolfe but inspired by your comment I looked him up. I will definitely check him out. Any place you would recommend I start?
It is funny in the comments about this story I have admitted to not reading much Sci-fi.
I have read extensively from the weird tales/Strange tales sort of canon, and I have read a lot from the decadence movement, but I never really went full Sci-fi.
The early pulp magazines I read had a lot of hard sci-fi stories, but I never really sought out the classics novels. I admittedly relied pretty heavily on Clark Ashton Smith and Robert E Howard for this story. I just mixed some of what they did with a bit of 80’s nostalgia and video game/DND style narrative.
I am surprised you haven’t read any of him but I think you’re in for a treat. He’s writing at a level mere mortals never reach.
I recommend you start with The Book of the New Sun which was a major contributor to the Dying Earth genre of far-future sci-fi that feels like fantasy. This is dense, meaty stuff that rewards rereading. Not for the faint of heart.
He’s written across the range of fantasy and science fiction (The Knight and The Wizard are amazing subversions of fantasy tropes) as well.
Gosh, this was so fascinating! It reminds me of on-the-edge science fiction, describing and depicting landscapes and perspectives truly alien to me. I loved it.
This reminds me so much of Frank Herbert. Gotta have a special something to write like this. It’s beautiful.
Thanks, man, appreciate the kind words.
I have never read Dune or any Frank Herbert, for that matter.
I am kinda a short story reader more than a novel guy, but I just looked to see if Herbert has a short story collection, and he definitely does. I'm gonna check them out.
Right the fuck on! the books put the movies to shame. Especially, the 80’s version (there are no sound weapons, past Hollywood imagination). Please read the whole “Dune” series, once you get rolling you won’t put it down, I promise, or at least the first three…boy, oh, boy will you get some inspiration! with your skill set? I’d bet money it will blast you out of this universe. The only thing that compares to it is Tolkien.
Nathan your craft is excellent here. I love the dense, atmospheric storytelling, and how you make a familiar setting, a mall, into a strange, post-apocalyptic wasteland.
The 'far-future technology resembling magic' theme gives me serious Gene Wolfe vibes, of whom I am also a huge fan, and I consider him to be a strong influence on my science-fiction work as well. Am I pegging you correctly?
Thank you reading, and all the kind words. I have never read any Gene Wolfe but inspired by your comment I looked him up. I will definitely check him out. Any place you would recommend I start?
It is funny in the comments about this story I have admitted to not reading much Sci-fi.
I have read extensively from the weird tales/Strange tales sort of canon, and I have read a lot from the decadence movement, but I never really went full Sci-fi.
The early pulp magazines I read had a lot of hard sci-fi stories, but I never really sought out the classics novels. I admittedly relied pretty heavily on Clark Ashton Smith and Robert E Howard for this story. I just mixed some of what they did with a bit of 80’s nostalgia and video game/DND style narrative.
I am surprised you haven’t read any of him but I think you’re in for a treat. He’s writing at a level mere mortals never reach.
I recommend you start with The Book of the New Sun which was a major contributor to the Dying Earth genre of far-future sci-fi that feels like fantasy. This is dense, meaty stuff that rewards rereading. Not for the faint of heart.
He’s written across the range of fantasy and science fiction (The Knight and The Wizard are amazing subversions of fantasy tropes) as well.
https://www.amazon.com/Shadow-Claw-First-Half-Book/dp/1250781256?crid=125110C9EIPC8&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.JM5yYeWqBjv9qP3CXJ37kp-s7jdV_aVv5GyEKPuPNCabwjnfv9z5CdzuDObdfL58xoTih-qpVoBWq7S2KeCL88qpGDkPvhzUwzxNsmLryhWvdBtFrdLvyXCBDlhlh_osMUyFzvkZOtjDoCnHKrVzRi2YXBeU4rWzc9W0QDWwx31uOv8Ff5XXBSSwtzgfRU3mPSEo90WmvSnEOYWRf5IchltvZN4AzavvEjgp6yNSiOo.pNq1c1OqOpqa_fjZa3N3-OSyxgB7g5PvwIKXJjZsnYM&dib_tag=se&keywords=gene+wolfe+the+book+of+the+new+sun&nsdOptOutParam=true&qid=1770765116&sprefix=gene+wolfe%2Caps%2C390&sr=8-1
Thank you
Gosh, this was so fascinating! It reminds me of on-the-edge science fiction, describing and depicting landscapes and perspectives truly alien to me. I loved it.