Books Reviews

1: Dune (Frank Herbert)

Science Fiction doesn't get much better then this. Dune is every Science Fiction aficionado's wet dream. Many people claim Dune is Science Fiction's answer to "Lord of the Rings" and I have to agree: it sure is. There are many good science fiction books, but Dune is indeed a giant among giants. It truly is a pinnacle of Science Fiction literary achievement. If you haven't read Dune, doesn't waste any more time. Read it now!

2: Starship Troopers (Robert Heinlein)

War is beautiful according to Robert Heinlein. This is a novel about the glorification of war. The premise: space-marines wearing special armor battle vicious alien insect aliens. This is classic "old school" science fiction at it's best. It's a rip-roaring ride through the galaxy that you don't want to miss.

3 : Ender's Game (Orson Scott Card)

This is one of the corner stones of science fiction and one novel that you shouldn't miss. A critique on society, the story of a boy who refuses to give up, a battle to save the fate of mankind - this science fiction book combines them all into one addictive and compelling mix that shouldn't be missed.

4: Foundation (Isaac Asimov)

This is undoubtedly on of the finest works of science fiction ever written. If you a fan of science fiction with grandiose and epic storylines, get your hand on this book.

A corollary: Foundation is a series for people who love grand and complex ideas. If you are looking for a book heavy on the action but thin on concepts, this may not be the book for you. The strength of the ideas presented are the focus of this story, not the characterization. Regardless, this is one of those Science Fiction books that you just need to read. You will never think about Science Fiction the same way after reading the Foundation series.

5: Snow Crash (Neal Stephenson)

Part-time hacker and pizza delivery boy and full time samurai swordsman, meet Hiro Protagonist. Snow Crash is breath taking novel with action and pacing thick enough to drown in. Snow Crash redefined and rejuvenated the Cyberpunk genre. If you want a novel with bucket loads of action, futuristic technologies ala The Matrix, and the gritty futuristic dystopia of the Blade Runner world, Snow Crash is the perfect recommendation.

6: Forever War (Joe Haldeman)

The Forever War is pretty much The Vietnam War in space. It's brutal and bloody and makes a strong case that war really is pointless. Don't let the strong political statement of the novel deter you, however; this is Science Fiction at its finest: a complex, disturbing novel that makes you think...and feel. It's a great science fiction story that you don't want to miss, a true masterpiece of the genre.

7: The Night's Dawn (Peter Hamilton)

This is space opera science fiction done right: Massive space battles, a large cast of compelling characters, political tension between planets, and an all out grand adventure. There is a good deal of space opera in the science fiction genre already, but Peter Hamilton is one of the best character writers in the genre and his plots are just so damn interesting. He really knows how to write a rip-roaring adventure that keeps you up into the late hours of the morning. Those in the mood for something big with lots of action, both in and out of space, Night's Dawn trilogy delivers.

8: Gap (Steven R. Donaldson)

This disturbing series is a dark ride into hell that you don't want to miss. It's one of the darkest set of books I've read, period. But the world that Stephen Donaldson draws is superb. Stephen Donaldson is an author that cares deeply about characterization, and he excels at crafting anti-heroes. If you are looking for some dark space opera, I highly recommend the Gap series.

9: Otherland (Tad William)

Those looking for something like the Matrix in written form need look no longer. Otherland is about as close as you'll get. With less mumbo jumbo psycho babble and more realism, Otherland makes for a really compelling read. Otherland starts slow, but those willing give it a chance will be greatly rewarded.

10: Altered Carbon (Richard Morgan)

This is one dystopian cyberpunk with a lot of style and some seriously punishing action. I guarantee that once you start reading this novel, you won't be putting it down. Morgan is a man with some visionary ideas; he always has interesting characters, twisting plots, and heart-pounding action. Those that love Blade Runner, Snow Crash, and Neuromancer are in for a treat.

Women Writers and Fiction

It is widely acknowledged that the largest sector of book purchasing is done by women and, to engage women's attention and maintain their interest, women's fiction needs to capture their emotions in a way that impacts on their place in society today, their secret fantasies and the images women dream of in their perfect relationship. Novels that have more appeal for women than men invariably tend to be written by women and cover romantic fiction, historical fiction and women's fiction whose taxonomy tends to be within the mainstream of the novel category. Romantic fiction is often regarded as being fundamental to women's fiction.

Chick-Lit and Romance

It is a huge market and brings with it equally large revenue, much of it written within the genre of serious, meaty fiction rather than focusing on the more light-hearted, flighty 'chick-lit' market as it has come to be known. Since Chick-lit made its entrance onto the UK market in 1996 with the appearance of 'Bridget Jones' Diary' it seems to have carved out a sub-genre all of its own - and people tend to either love it or hate it, with equal passion! Those who profess to hate it dismiss this sub-genre as frivolous, despite the fact that it is read by a huge market of women whose own place within the professional world requires them to find effective ways to 'switch-off' during their few leisure hours: a good read with this much-maligned chick-lit offers these women a chance to throw off their responsibilities for a short while and lose themselves within the pages of a book that makes no demands on their intellect.

20th Century Classics

Rather topical at the moment following the release of the film 'A Picture of Dorian Gray', the book originally written by Oscar Wilde has been described as 'one of the modern classics of Western literature' - even though it probably led to his social downfall! Oscar Wilde was one of the celebrities of the Victorian era. He was born in 1854 in Dublin and became a successful playwright and writer of short stories. He also wrote one book which was used extensively during his trial on the grounds of homosexuality for which he was imprisoned.

During his trial his book 'A Picture of Dorian Gray' was drawn on time after time to 'prove' Oscar Wilde's dubious sexuality. Following his period of imprisonment he spent the rest of his life in Europe where he died in November 1900. Despite the notoriety surrounding the life of Oscar Wilde, he was a brilliant wit in his lifetime, leaving us with a plethora of quotes, plays and short stories that are as applicable today as they were when he wrote them.

Pure Literature

Meanwhile, Margaret Atwood is a prolific poet, author and critic - as well as social campaigner and renowned feminist. On one occasion she was recipient of the Booker Prize and has been nominated for it a further 4 times; and has won the Governer General's Award twice and been nominated a further 5 times. She has also been awarded the Prince of Asturias award for Literature as well as winning the Arthur C. Clarke Award. Margaret Atwood is best known as a novelist although she has also had 15 books of poetry, many based on fairy tales and myths, published as well.

She was born in Canada in 1939 - Ottawa, Ontario and later studied English, Philosophy and French at Victoria University, part of the University of Toronto. Margaret Atwood published her first book privately in 1961 - this was a book of poetry for which she was awarded the EJ Pratt medal. However, before her writing career began in earnest, Margaret Atwood enrolled at Radcliffe College on a Woodrow Wilson fellowship, graduating with a master's degree in 1962. For the next few years she followed a teaching career as a university lecturer, alternating teaching with writing and culminating at New York University as Berg Professor of English.

Sex in Literature

So, who better qualified to write some of the 20th century classics than Margaret Atwood? Amongst her many books, the Handmaid's Tale has been described by The Daily Telegraph as being 'compulsively readable'. This book is about S-E-X! The story is set in a theocratic state run along totalitarian lines, called the Republic of Gilead. This Republic is the future of what was previously the USA. Dangerously low reproduction rates have necessitated the need for handmaids to bear children. This story revolves around restrictions on the movements of the handmaids - and you will have to read the rest to find out what happens: I would hate to spoil it for you!

Retrospective Fiction

This book is written in 'flashback' style that reconstructs the events that led up to the Republic of Gilead: it refers to women's rights, military coups, pornography, prostitution - even an assassinated president and members of Congress are woven into the fabric of the story. As the story evolves an underground resistance organisation comes to light: in fact, there are more threads to unravel than in an old jersey! The story closes in 2195 with an epilogue in the form of a lecture given by a Professor. That is all I am saying about the book - if you want to know more, I suggest you contact our web page and buy the book which is available in the Fiction section, under 20th Century Classics. It's an amazing book that you will find difficult to put down - so, get your chores out of the way before you start reading!

This book is a good read - in fact, it is immensely readable. In fact, if you delve into the Fiction section of our website, you will be amazed and delighted at the enormous range of fiction we have available - enough to keep you reading for many years to come!