ShannonA
05-28-2008, 12:14 AM
Due to the passing of Robert Asprin, we're going to remember him by reading one of his books for the July book club. I've selected a smaller than usual set of books for vote this time: just five. So pick your TWO favorites, and the winner we'll be July's pick.
(And meanwhile remember that we're finishing up Philip K. Dick's Valis for June.)
The Asprin Top Five:
Another Fine Myth
http://index.xenagia.net/display-entry.phtml?mainid=359
This is comedy fantasy at its best. A would-be sorcerer/petty thief and a demon who's lost his powers join forces. This is the series that Asprin is best known for.
The Cold Cash War
This one's notable because it's Asprin's first novel, published in 1977. It's the story of a dystopic future which economic competition has turned toward military aggression.
Phule's Company
I've never read these books, but they've always struck me as a mythical version of the military science-fiction genre, which is to say military science-fiction with a heavy dash of comedy and light-heartedness.
Thieves' World
http://index.xenagia.net/display-entry.phtml?mainid=1255
The gritty first tale of the city of Sanctuary and the people that live there. On the one hand, Asprin is the editor of this book, rather than the author (although one of his stories, "The Price of Doing Business", does appear within). On the other hand, it may be his most influential work, as it started a large trend toward shared world anthologies in the 1980s.
Time Scout (with Linda Evans)
This is probably Asprin's third best-known series, after the Myth and Phule series. It's the story of a twenty-first century where time travel has suddenly become possible and the time scouts who pioneer the way for the masses of time travelers.
Let me offer the final caveat before you vote that at least The Cold Cash War and Thieves' World appear to be currently out of print. They should be pretty easy to pick up, but you should make sure you hunt down a copy early.
(And meanwhile remember that we're finishing up Philip K. Dick's Valis for June.)
The Asprin Top Five:
Another Fine Myth
http://index.xenagia.net/display-entry.phtml?mainid=359
This is comedy fantasy at its best. A would-be sorcerer/petty thief and a demon who's lost his powers join forces. This is the series that Asprin is best known for.
The Cold Cash War
This one's notable because it's Asprin's first novel, published in 1977. It's the story of a dystopic future which economic competition has turned toward military aggression.
Phule's Company
I've never read these books, but they've always struck me as a mythical version of the military science-fiction genre, which is to say military science-fiction with a heavy dash of comedy and light-heartedness.
Thieves' World
http://index.xenagia.net/display-entry.phtml?mainid=1255
The gritty first tale of the city of Sanctuary and the people that live there. On the one hand, Asprin is the editor of this book, rather than the author (although one of his stories, "The Price of Doing Business", does appear within). On the other hand, it may be his most influential work, as it started a large trend toward shared world anthologies in the 1980s.
Time Scout (with Linda Evans)
This is probably Asprin's third best-known series, after the Myth and Phule series. It's the story of a twenty-first century where time travel has suddenly become possible and the time scouts who pioneer the way for the masses of time travelers.
Let me offer the final caveat before you vote that at least The Cold Cash War and Thieves' World appear to be currently out of print. They should be pretty easy to pick up, but you should make sure you hunt down a copy early.