Opinions on Christopher Priest please.

[Coragem]

Hi all:

I'm looking for more challenging reads these days – very well written, ideally thought provoking with good characters, maybe something that plays about with narrative structure.

I thought of trying The Separation or The Affirmation by Christopher Priest.

What do people think?

To say the least, I think it would be a bit of a break from my usual reading. For example, I've been reading a lot of Ian McDonald lately and more generally my taste is sci-fi with politics and sex and violence and above all very engaging characters.

Coragem.

 

[Foxbat]

I've only read a couple of Priest novels - The Inverted World and The Prestige. I love his ideas and originality but find reading his books a bit of a struggle. I'm not sure what the problem is. I wouldn't say they are badly written but I find the structure untidy - but I'm no expert on narrative structure so perhaps it's just me.

Having said that, from what I've read, I would recommend giving him a try.

 

[iansales]

He's definitely worth reading. The Inverted World is an early and relatively straightforward work. Later books are far more ambiguous and literary. The Separation is very good, as is The Prestige. I've not read The Affirmation, but I have it on the TBR. The Islanders won the BSFA Award, and his latest, The Adjacent, is getting lots of very good notices.

 

[Ashley R]

The Glamour is my favourite.

 

[Allegra]

I only read The Prestige after seeing the film and liked the book very much. Also have The Affirmation on the shelf waiting to be read - bought it when I saw an amazon review saying the novel is like M.C. Escher's artwork that I love so much. I'll have to look up The Separation.

 

[Stephen Palmer]

The Glamour, Inverted World and A Dream Of Wessex are all great. A unique author well worth checking out.

 

[Coragem]

Thanks all.

I think I'll start with The Separation and The Affirmation. Not so keen on The Prestige precisely because of the film.

Coragem.

 

[Fried Egg]

I love Christopher Priest, definitely one of my favourite authors and he sounds like he ticks all the boxes you are looking for. "The Affirmation" is fabulous. "Glamour" is also superb. "Fugue of a darkening Island" is a great dystopian/post apocalyptic novel is that's your thing. "Inverted World" is more conventional SF but still a fascinating concept.

 

[antiloquax]

I've read The Glamour, The Affirmation, The Prestige and The Inverted World. All impressed me very much. I wouldn't let the film of The Prestige put you off, the book is v. good. I also have The Space Machine, but I have yet to read it.

 

[Ian Whates]

Chris has just signed a new three book deal with Gollancz, and a film of his novel The Glamour is due to go into production early next year.

So, although Mr Priest celebrated his 70th birthday this weekend past, there's still plenty more to come from him. Great news for all fans of quality fiction.

Ian Whates and Christopher Priest, 12.07.2013​

 

[GOLLUM]

Anythnig new from Mr. Priest is cause for celebration....

Thanks for the update.