I’d read bits and pieces about this on the Internet and knew the name John Scalzi so when, on a recent visit to Macmillan, Peter Lavery handed over a copy of Old Man’s War I was happy enough to take it away and give it a go. The comments on the book from other authors were pretty good and here are the ones I think most relevant: ‘His dialogue is suitably snappy’ – Paul DiFillipo, ‘It’s Starship Troopers without the lectures’ – Cory Doctorow, ‘vivid characters’ – Ken McCleod. This book was also shortlisted for the Hugo award. Now, I always take such comments with a pinch of salt, because there are too many crap books out there lauded by an author’s author buddies and, as for awards, the opinion of a few voters or committee I feel is less important than that of those who actually go out and buy the books, and it strikes me that too many awards are political and nepotistic. I won’t tell you how wonderful was this aspect or that aspect of this book. Suffice to say I picked it up a couple of days ago and didn’t want to put it down, and I’ll certainly want to read its sequel The Ghost Brigades.
Wednesday, July 04, 2007
Old Man's War -- John Scalzi
I’d read bits and pieces about this on the Internet and knew the name John Scalzi so when, on a recent visit to Macmillan, Peter Lavery handed over a copy of Old Man’s War I was happy enough to take it away and give it a go. The comments on the book from other authors were pretty good and here are the ones I think most relevant: ‘His dialogue is suitably snappy’ – Paul DiFillipo, ‘It’s Starship Troopers without the lectures’ – Cory Doctorow, ‘vivid characters’ – Ken McCleod. This book was also shortlisted for the Hugo award. Now, I always take such comments with a pinch of salt, because there are too many crap books out there lauded by an author’s author buddies and, as for awards, the opinion of a few voters or committee I feel is less important than that of those who actually go out and buy the books, and it strikes me that too many awards are political and nepotistic. I won’t tell you how wonderful was this aspect or that aspect of this book. Suffice to say I picked it up a couple of days ago and didn’t want to put it down, and I’ll certainly want to read its sequel The Ghost Brigades.
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9 comments:
Funny you should say that Neal. I bought a copy of Ghost Brigades today, after thoroughly enjoying Old Man's War a few months back.
Still wondering, btw, when I'm going to se a copy of Polity Agent out here in Oz - I would have expected a hardcover or trade edition before now.
And don't forget The Last Colony, third book in the series. It pays off on questions brought up in OMW in a way you might not expect. At least, I didn't.
Readers in Oz can get the UK editions at competitive prices, with FREE postage, from
http://www.bookdepository.co.uk/WEBSITE/WWW/WEBPAGES/search.php?key=neal%20asher&by=author
"Old Man's War" is one of the funnest books I have read this decade so far. Scalzi's like of BS-style writing makes for a pleasurable non-stop immersion. Good stuff. I am glad you liked it. Loving your stuff as well.
Here's that book depository address chopped into three to fit:
http://www.bookdepository.co.uk
/WEBSITE/WWW/WEBPAGES/search.php
?key=neal%20asher&by=author
Great book, and the opening (before the real action starts) about his wife's death is fantasticly well written.
Good read, sequel was good also. Will be picking up the 3rd book.
Thanks for the Book Depository heads-up, Ed (and Neal). Hilldiggers has been ordered as a test transaction :)
This is a book that has been on my TBR list for ages. Will definitely read this one soon!
I've used The Book Depository numerous times and find them a very reliable alternative to Amazon, especially for US editions.
Have Old Man's War here to read, and while my "books to read" pile is rather large at over 70 titles, that one is quite high up the list.
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