Any other Alastair Reynolds fans here?

I was a touch disappointed with the conclusion of the Revelation Space trilogy but I've loved his writing. His vision is epic, and he mixes settings, technology, and people with plot wonderfully. His science feels more real with all its pros and cons. I have at least one on my to read list that I'm looking forward to.
 
I will conceed that the ending was a little bit disappointing.
 
I have only Prefect by Reynolds, haven't read it yet. Very curious about his other books, hope they are not packed with high-tech stuff? And, what does 'hard S.F.' mean exactly (my interpretation to be 'hard nut':p)?
 
I believe that Hard SF refers to the science being factual and realistic within known science.
 
Hard SF is the stuff written by authors who either are scientists or have a scientific background. Clarke,Asimov,Heinlein etc. It tends to be factual in its methods whereas the soft SF of Dick and Ballard etc have stories that don't rely so heavily on being scientifically viable. Hard SF however doesn't have to mean hard to read,and soft SF doesn't mean its easier to read or less accurate,its just being scientifically spot on isn't such a priority.
 
Thanks for the explanations. I'm looking forward to read Prefect. If Reynolds doesn't go too 'professional' on the science parts and I like his writing, I'll get more of his books.
 
Reynolds is a very accessable writer and i think you'll enjoy the prefect.

Also, i though the Whiphound is one of the best weapons i've ever read about too. Very cool concept.

Don't forget to let us know how you get on.
 
Rodders said:
I believe that Hard SF refers to the science being factual and realistic within known science.
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Reynolds's books are mostly "hard" SF if one takes on board how things such as intelligence enhancement might develop over the timescales encountered. There are, though, small examples of not-so-hard SF in the Revelation Space universe, but I shan't go into specifics as they might (to a very small degree) be considered to verge on being spoilers.
 
Rodders said:
Reynolds is a very accessable writer and i think you'll enjoy the prefect.

Also, i though the Whiphound is one of the best weapons i've ever read about too. Very cool concept.

Don't forget to let us know how you get on.
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Sure. The only problem is that there are just too many books I'm looking forward to reading. But it is definitely in the 'first to read' batch.

Oh I like cool weapons, as long as they remain a concept.;)
 
I just finished Pushing Ice. I enjoyed it, but as someone else mentioned, the relationship between the 2 main characters was slightly overdone. Overall, I did enjoy it. I'm looking forward to picking up some of his other books, preferably The Prefect as I've heard such good things about it.
 
I just finished Chasm City and I must admit I didn't enjoy it that much. I found the motives and motivations of the characters to be waaayyy to insubstantial. I do like his books cause he paints some pretty cool settings, but sometimes his characters are a bit lacking in dimensions. Having said that, I enjoyed the lead character, Wendell Floyd, from Century Rain. I also enjoyed The Prefect, despite some of the plot holes.
 
And speaking of items in the Guardian about Mr Reynolds:

Hailed as the "man who gave credibility back to space opera", British writer Alastair Reynolds has signed a 10-book deal worth £1m, it was announced tonight , in one of science fiction's biggest-ever contracts.

Reynolds, a former astronomer from south Wales, said he was "amazed and thrilled" at the deal with the Gollancz imprint of the UK-based publishers Orion, which has published his previous eight novels, starting with his 2000 debut, Revelation Space.

Reynolds, who became a full-time writer five years ago, began publishing short stories in science fiction magazines during the 16 years he spent working as an astronomer at the European Space Agency in the Netherlands.
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70 pages into Prefect. Well... unlike Banks' Culture world which I immersed in and feeling home immediately, Reynolds universe is still at a great distance, so far. The story seems interesting enough, either because the writing is a bit matter-of-factish or the characters are a bit flattish, it hasn't gripped me firmly. Yes the whiphound is indeed cool and creepy -shot me with a plasma gun any day, just don't show me that nasty snake! :eek::D

Will go on reading of course but may be take longer than I thought to finish as I suddenly crave for pTerry's Amazing Maurice And His Educated Rodents!
 
It's not really a detective in space.
The prefects have the role of policing the Glitter Belt polling process, so more electoral observers than police, and their role is limited to insuring everyone who is allowed to vote can vote and no one fiddles the vote.
Of course, there is slightly more to the novel that just watching votes, with a threat that could destroy the whole Glitter Belt.
 
I enjoyed the Prefect very much and thought that it was a good read. Perhaps because it's set in the Revelation Space universe.
 
J-Sun said:
Huh. I said I would (and I did on other threads), but never came back to this one. So, to keep my word: I got past my bookmark and finished it. :) Still like his short fiction better so far, but RS ended up being worthwhile.
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Did you like it enough to read the next installment? It's better than the first.
 
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