So What Are you Reading?: Generations
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REMANG edited by Daphne Lee
An anthology of Malaysian ghost stories, which were entertaining. Some were more atmospheric than others, a couple – in particular the last one, Zirafah – quite touching. We tend to think of Victoriana when we think of ghost stories in the west, so it was nice to read some rather different ones. Some of the stories contain ghosts, some have local folkloric creatures such as the pontianak – and I don't think I've actually read a piece of modern fiction with the langsuir before, so it was quite a thrill to find some in here – though one of the stories (The Man In Red) doesn't actually seem to have anything particularly ghostly or supernatural at all.
If the collection has a failing it's that the endings of a number of the stories are unsatisfying, coming suddenly as if the writer has hit the word count and needs to stop, but this is true of many, many, short fiction collections. Western readers might be a little confused by occasional Malay or Indonesian colloquialisms in dialogue, but that's their problem, IMO, and in most cases readers will get used to it and get the gist.
For what it's worth, my favourites in here were: Grandmother Story (Sharmilla Ganesan), Umbrella Exit (Paul GnanaSelvam), The Twins Of Ramakhu (Heidi Shamsuddin, and this did give me a faint Jamesian buzz), Tok La's Gift (Fazlyn Abdul Malek), Heirloom (William Tham), and Zirafah (Wong Jo-Yen). But, really, they were all good. The first story, The Spectre Huntsman (Tunku Halim) is probably the weakest, relatively speaking and they get better from there on in. Which is a good thing.
It's probably difficult to get hold of over here, but worth the effort.
An anthology of Malaysian ghost stories, which were entertaining. Some were more atmospheric than others, a couple – in particular the last one, Zirafah – quite touching. We tend to think of Victoriana when we think of ghost stories in the west, so it was nice to read some rather different ones. Some of the stories contain ghosts, some have local folkloric creatures such as the pontianak – and I don't think I've actually read a piece of modern fiction with the langsuir before, so it was quite a thrill to find some in here – though one of the stories (The Man In Red) doesn't actually seem to have anything particularly ghostly or supernatural at all.
If the collection has a failing it's that the endings of a number of the stories are unsatisfying, coming suddenly as if the writer has hit the word count and needs to stop, but this is true of many, many, short fiction collections. Western readers might be a little confused by occasional Malay or Indonesian colloquialisms in dialogue, but that's their problem, IMO, and in most cases readers will get used to it and get the gist.
For what it's worth, my favourites in here were: Grandmother Story (Sharmilla Ganesan), Umbrella Exit (Paul GnanaSelvam), The Twins Of Ramakhu (Heidi Shamsuddin, and this did give me a faint Jamesian buzz), Tok La's Gift (Fazlyn Abdul Malek), Heirloom (William Tham), and Zirafah (Wong Jo-Yen). But, really, they were all good. The first story, The Spectre Huntsman (Tunku Halim) is probably the weakest, relatively speaking and they get better from there on in. Which is a good thing.
It's probably difficult to get hold of over here, but worth the effort.
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Just finished TOS: No Time Like the Past. Great read and my first crossover with VOY characters. Still working on my chronological journey through Lit Verse.
Headed into 2271 - Question: should I read The Lost Years books or skip into TMP in 2273. I guess what I am asking is are they decent reads? I have been skipping most of the older pocket novels and focusing on newer stuff unless I get good recommendations.
Headed into 2271 - Question: should I read The Lost Years books or skip into TMP in 2273. I guess what I am asking is are they decent reads? I have been skipping most of the older pocket novels and focusing on newer stuff unless I get good recommendations.
I'm in the middle of Drastic Measures. Also reading the final Captain's Table book (the anthology book).
Though I've only seen the first episode of Discovery on CBS, the books so far have been good. I'll be curious to see how things turn out in Drastic Measures (and if there are any similarities to William Shatners book that also covered events on Tarsus IV).
Though I've only seen the first episode of Discovery on CBS, the books so far have been good. I'll be curious to see how things turn out in Drastic Measures (and if there are any similarities to William Shatners book that also covered events on Tarsus IV).
[QUOTE="Riverside2233, post: 12429795, member: 70841"Headed into 2271 - Question: should I read The Lost Years books or skip into TMP in 2273. I guess what I am asking is are they decent reads? I have been skipping most of the older pocket novels and focusing on newer stuff unless I get good recommendations.[/QUOTE]
The Lost Years books are good. It's been a while since I read the first 3 and just got done the 4th book (I actually didn't realize there even was a 4th book until I saw it at a used book shop). Personally I think they're well worth a read. Each is more or less a self contained story--though each book does make references to past books, so you don't necessarily have to read all 4, but I say go for it.
The Lost Years books are good. It's been a while since I read the first 3 and just got done the 4th book (I actually didn't realize there even was a 4th book until I saw it at a used book shop). Personally I think they're well worth a read. Each is more or less a self contained story--though each book does make references to past books, so you don't necessarily have to read all 4, but I say go for it.
The Lost Years books don't fit together as well as they should, because they were done under several different editors over a fair number of years. The second book was heavily rewritten, the originally planned third book (and fourth?) got cancelled, and then totally different third and fourth books were done much later. So there are some continuity issues between them -- for instance, A Flag Full of Stars is set in 2269 and Traitor Winds in 2270, but TW is at an earlier stage of the Enterprise refit (with the saucer undergoing reconstruction on the ground) than AFFoS (where the completely rebuilt saucer is being launched back into space).
Speaking for myself, I found the Lost Years to be a bit boring (but I haven't read it in years). I prefer the end of the five year mission shown in George's Crucible books. But it's been many years since I've read that book, so maybe I should give it another shot.
My very first Trek book--and I honestly don't remember that line!
It's when Molly is feeding the Horta computers in Keiko's classroom!
Thanks for suggestions. Think I will crack open Lost Years book 1 since it is pretty cheap on Kindle and see if I like it. Otherwise I am going to probably jump back to Discovery timeline novels and start season 1.
(I am super late to that party but I wanted to wait for whole season).
(I am super late to that party but I wanted to wait for whole season).
That's a tough one. Maybe save them for post-Generations.
I've fallen way behind in my Trek novel reading, so I'm doing some catching up. Currently reading James Swallow's Titan novel Sight Unseen.
Star Trek TNG: Spartacus is my current read. I always really enjoyed this one. It's with a crew of alien-made androids fighting for their own independence from their makers.
Yeah, I always kinda liked that one.
Yeah, the Crucible books don't fit neatly in any one time period. Some elements are during the original series, some elements are after TUC and others after Generations.
Also, they are in their own continuity. David George noted that in his acknowledgments. At first he was trying to fit it in with the existing novel continuity but decided to write them independently of other continuities. So if you are reading them as part of an overall continuity of stories you don't have to worry about that. They are excellent stories though. I especially liked the McCoy book. I always wondered what happened to McCoy in the 20th century before the timeline was 'fixed' by Kirk and Spock and it was a fascinating read.
I'm currently finishing up the second book from the "A Time to" TNG series. So far it's been a pleasant story.
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