==================================================================<## Original recipient: /DOVE-Net/Debate >==================================================================<
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8098298.Richard_Falken
http://www.richard-falken.com/
Yup, you found me.
My English was not publishing grade back then. What I used to do was to
write in English, and then get the text translated. Since I could not
afford a translator I performed the task myself and then got the drafts proofread by volunteers. The process is very cumbersome and I don't
recommend it. Thankfully, I showed up in some publisher's radar and they helped me translating, sparing me the shame of publishing literary
pieces in mediocre English.
Nowadays I am much better at Shakespeare's language. I write directly in English. I am still not half as good as I would like to be, but abusing
my friends' good will I can get my drafts polished and ready for
publication quickly
My mother, whose opinion I highly respect, told me Zanfn was nothing to
write home about. Since I have so many books to read on my shelves, I
haven't given it a try.
I have heard he died recently. Too bad... He was one
of the few modern Spanish writers that seemed respectable.
/'
But.. Zafon is only "the most widely published contemporary Spanish
writer". !!! If your mother *has* read La sombra del viento, 2001 (The Shadow of the Wind), then that may most likely mea
that the English translation supercedes the Spanish version! LOL The translator
(mentioned earlier) has impeccable credentials. If instead, your mother
has read some *other* earlier works by Zafon, then that may also mean that the earliest pieces did not gain too much
attention for a reason.
But.. Zafon is only "the most widely published contemporary Spanish
writer". !!! If your mother *has* read La sombra del viento, 2001 (The
Shadow of the Wind), then that may most likely mea that the English
translation supercedes the Spanish version! LOL The translator
(mentioned earlier) has impeccable credentials..
I am afraid she was speaking about La Sombra del Viento :-)
I'll give it a try, but first I have to finish The Wheel of Time, which
is a looooong read.
Hello Arelor!
** On Monday 22.06.20 - 05:11, arelor wrote to Ogg:
But.. Zafon is only "the most widely published contemporary Spanish
writer". !!! If your mother *has* read La sombra del viento, 2001 (The >> Shadow of the Wind), then that may most likely mea that the English
translation supercedes the Spanish version! LOL The translator
(mentioned earlier) has impeccable credentials..
I am afraid she was speaking about La Sombra del Viento :-)
Like I said, I think the magic was probably created in the english translation then.
Or.. living in Spain and then reading about old Spain does not have the
same appealing experience of escape into another land.
I'll give it a try, but first I have to finish The Wheel of Time, which
is a looooong read.
Yes.. The series is a collection of books starting with the self-titled
WoT. But you have about 14 novels in total to go!
If you count the pre-quel, that would be 15.
I just got directed to Peter Hamilton's "Commonwealth Saga" sci-fi series: [1] Pandora's Star, and [2] Judas Unchained.
I'm more of a traditional space-opera adventure guy - stuff with space ships, futuristic technology, etc. Fantasy.. no so much.
I really enjoyed Ringworld by Larry Niven, many many years ago.
../|ug
I just got directed to Peter Hamilton's "Commonwealth Saga" sci-fi series: >> [1] Pandora's Star, and [2] Judas Unchained.
I'm more of a traditional space-opera adventure guy - stuff with space
ships, futuristic technology, etc. Fantasy.. no so much.
I really enjoyed Ringworld by Larry Niven, many many years ago.
I am finishing Lord of Chaos. [SPOILER] Somebody told me Bela dies so that has taken away some of the motivation for finishing the story.[END SPOILER]
I enjoy the worldbuilding and the backstabbing, but the story in general is
a bit slow. Still having a lot of fun.
I don't really count the prequel since it was supposed to be a prequel
series that never got finished.
The issue with fantasy nowadays is that the ony thing that sells is urban/contemporary fantasy. Cute vampires, leprechauns that do your
laudry... if you try to market an epic about gods using moral pawns in order to further their agendas, true love threatened by a dargon wizzard or whatever, you are already at a disadvantage because that is not what publishers are buying at all. Today's fantasy readers want a tale about a grandma who discovers she can repair the microwave with dark magic.
Lots of modern fantasy readers have been in it for decades and not read
a good duel on the mad wizzard's laboratory. While the laboratory is set ablaze. With a portal opened to Hell from which demons are pouring in
our dimension. While pitiful mortals fight mutan abominations to keep
them at bay while the champion of the gods runs a flamming sword through
a centuries old ancient threat.
So so so so sad.
Hey, if you enjoy Space Operas, have you heard about Deathstalker? It is
very tongue-incheeck and a bit of a cheapo self-parody, but I found it
to be golden. You must turn your brain off to enoy it, be warned.
Are you reading the english version of WoT?
I don't really count the prequel since it was supposed to be a prequel series that never got finished.
I was not aware of that. It probably doesn't add much for the fan of the series anyway.
But the idea of a prequel seems to persist. Recently, the newest release
to the Hunger Games trilogy was released - a prequel. Apparently, (according from some reviewers) this one works because it provides the
sense of how the Games originated and who the netorious Snow comes from.
The issue with fantasy nowadays is that the ony thing that sells is urban/contemporary fantasy. Cute vampires, leprechauns that do your laudry... if you try to market an epic about gods using moral pawns in ord to further their agendas, true love threatened by a dargon wizzard or whatever, you are already at a disadvantage because that is not what publishers are buying at all. Today's fantasy readers want a tale about a grandma who discovers she can repair the microwave with dark magic.
LOL. But yes and no. As a book seller, I see a huge variance of sci-fi interests. It really depends on what one or two persons behind a publisher's desk "feels" will be the next viral genre.
For the discriminating reader, I steer people to "The Lies of Locke
Lamora" by Scott Lynch:
"Passing themselves off as petty thieves, the brilliant Locke and his tightly knit band of light-fingered brothers have fooled even the criminal underworld's most feared ruler, Capa Barsavi. But there is someone in the shadows more powerful-and more ambitious-than Locke has yet imagined."
It's kind of like a swashbuckling pirates meets space technology meets aliens mix. Three books in the series so far. A 4th is forthcoming next year.
Lots of modern fantasy readers have been in it for decades and not read
a good duel on the mad wizzard's laboratory. While the laboratory is set ablaze. With a portal opened to Hell from which demons are pouring in
our dimension. While pitiful mortals fight mutan abominations to keep
them at bay while the champion of the gods runs a flamming sword through
a centuries old ancient threat.
HA! That sounds a lot like how the last few episodes of Picard (tv
series) played out! LOL
So so so so sad.
There is definately BAD stuff out there. But something like this is fine for a good laugh:
Sysop: | MCMLXXIX |
---|---|
Location: | Prospect, CT |
Users: | 325 |
Nodes: | 10 (0 / 10) |
Uptime: | 133:09:57 |
Calls: | 501 |
Messages: | 218428 |