The only Simmons books I've read are the ones listed in the entry, so no. ;) I wouldn't mind checking out his earlier horror though, one day when I don't have quite so many precarious piles of unread books lying about on my floor. :)
THE TERROR is finally in mass market (not fond of the cover, but hey), so you should pick it up, definitely. :)
I agree with your review, although I think I liked the setting a little more than you. I have no big love of that time period, but I enjoyed Simmon's writing about the gritty trash-laden streets and sewers. Definitely after the 500 page mark I grew tired of the dinner menus and unreliable narrator. I wanted more, and the ending unfortunately didn't deliver. I certainly admire the work and appreciate all the wheels within wheels. I think the narrator did offer a few interesting points on the society of the time, the gentleman society, avoiding marriage etc. Appreciate your detailed review and deconstruction.
Thanks so much for commenting! I was hoping to hear your thoughts. :)
I don't know WHY I wasn't engaged in the setting. Greg was impressed with it too, but when I was reading it, I was completely ambivalent about it. I don't know if it's because I've seen very similar settings in secondary fantasy worlds or what, but London didn't impress me, even the grubby, nasty dinginess of it.
But I agree with you about admiring what Simmons did do in this book and the stuff he pointed out concerning society and how Collins didn't fit in. There's no doubt good stuff in here, but it gets so lost with all the OTHER stuff. :(
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I still need to read The Terror - I think I just need to break down and buy a paperback copy so I can carry it around :)
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THE TERROR is finally in mass market (not fond of the cover, but hey), so you should pick it up, definitely. :)
Reply
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I don't know WHY I wasn't engaged in the setting. Greg was impressed with it too, but when I was reading it, I was completely ambivalent about it. I don't know if it's because I've seen very similar settings in secondary fantasy worlds or what, but London didn't impress me, even the grubby, nasty dinginess of it.
But I agree with you about admiring what Simmons did do in this book and the stuff he pointed out concerning society and how Collins didn't fit in. There's no doubt good stuff in here, but it gets so lost with all the OTHER stuff. :(
Reply
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