rsingle@bbncc-washington (01/23/86)
From: Ron Singleton <rsingle@bbncc-washington.ARPA>
Yd22@br1.thdnet asked for a list of Bradley's Darkover books. My
terminal didn't know how to get there from here, so I'm sending this
suggestion to the digest. I am reasonably certain somebody out there has
the list. You will post it, won't you?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
I thought the Darkover list you had asked for was somewhere in my
files, but it turns out not to be so. Darkover was discussed for quite a
while and I'm sure the archives contain your info, but since I found these
two references thought I'd pass them along. It seems that 'Flamesong'
could be one of the type of story you will enjoy.
I've read a couple of the Darkover novels but it has been a while.
After reading through some of my junk I've decided maybe I'll go back and
read them again. Good luck in your search.
Ron S.
----------
Date: Mon, 30 Sep 85 23:36:31 PDT
Subject: MZB's "son", Paul Edwin Bradley
Actually, it's her brother. His books are not set in the Darkover
universe, but in one that he created independently. That some of the names
are the same is because both drew from _The King in Yellow_. That red hair
is special in both books is because both have red hair. And besides, as
every modern witch knows, only red-haired people make effective magi.
Read MZB's anthology, _Greyhaven_, for more family info, and to see works
by her niece. There are works there also by Diana L. Paxson and her son.
----------
Date: Thu, 7 Nov 85 11:02 CST
Subject: Review : Flamesong by M.A.R. Barker
Flamesong by Prof. M.A.R. Barker, DAW Books, Sept. 1985
Barker is one of those writers who has created the perfect combination
of fantasy and science fiction. His world of Tekumel is a delightfully
rich tapestry unlike any other. The depth of detail rivals or surpasses
Middle Earth or Darkover. While basically fantasy, elements of technology
are not far under the surface, sometimes quite literally. Technology
exists in the form of artifacts of the Ancients, whose knowledge has been
lost many tens of millenia ago.
Barker writes about adventure and intrigue, palace plots and pitched
battles, magic and technology. I especially enjoy the way he describes
technological artifacts in non-technological terms, as the characters would
see them. Barker writes about complex characters with real motivations,
unusual often bizarre cultures, and stories that won't let you put them
down. (I read this substantial book in two days, and I work full time.)
His first book, Man of Gold, though very good, was slightly marred by
the attempts Barker made to introduce the reader to his world. Flamesong
avoids this potential problem without losing any of the magic of the place.
In conclusion, I would strongly recommend Flamesong and the earlier
Man of Gold for anyone looking for unusual settings and cultures, realistic
characters, and exciting plots.