What is good, what Poul Anderson done wrote?

[Aus_Snow]

Read some books of his? Like them lots?

Well, this is your chance to say which and why.


Also, are there any real stinkers, ones to avoid IOW?

 

[trancejeremy]

I never liked his science fiction much. I liked the Hoka! stories as a kid, but as a grownup, found them a bit dumb.

Three Hearts and Three Lions and The Broken Sword are still pretty good, though. And you can see the roots of D&D in them.

 

[replicant2]

I'm not a hard-core science fiction fan, so although Anderson has written enough SF to sink a ship, I can't make any recommendations.

But as for his fantasy, that's another story. Anderson has written some of my favorite fantasy of all time. You've probably heard of Three Hearts and Three Lions--some consider it his best in the fantasy genre, especially around these parts, due to its obvious influence on D&D (an iconic paladin, a green-skinned regenerating troll, etc.).

But for my money he's written better fantasy. If I were you, I'd start with The Broken Sword. In a field crowded with bloated, overwritten, 3 or 7 or 12 part series, Anderson in under 300 pages manages to spin a fantasic epic tale combining Norse mythology, inexorable tragic fate, faerie races vs. encroaching humanity, and Christianity vs. paganism. It's quick-moving, bloodthristy, and utterly enthralling.

Also amazing were Hrolf Kraki's Saga and War of the Gods. These are Nordic fantasy all the way, full of war, passion, betrayals, revenge, grim destiny, etc. You might find them hard to track down but they're so worth it.

 

[ColonelHardisson]

Three Hearts and Three Lions - good, solid fantasy adventure.

The Broken Sword - Norse-based sword & sorcery that has scenes that still haunt me today.

A Midsummer Tempest - Good Renaissance-era fantasy.

The High Crusade - a fun romp. Aliens try to invade England during the Crusades, and an English force heading to the Crusades carries the fight out into space against the aliens. I like the premise for its sheer audacity; it seems very much like something an RPG adventure party would try.

 

[Plane Sailing]

I've never read any of his fantasy stuff, but I really enjoy his sci-fi characters. I still particularly enjoy a 3-story anthology called 'Trader to the Stars', centering around the merchant prince reprobate, Nicholas Van Rijn (one of my favourite sci-fi characters).

The Earth Book of Stormgate series is good too - he made a nice job of the alien Ythri race, particularly their philosophical clashes or misunderstandings with humans.

All of his sci-fi books I've read seem to fit into a general 'future history' revolving around the poleosotechnic(?) league (merchant trading organisations), and with heroes who are more likely to resolve a problem with wits and understanding rather than guns.

All this in books short enough to fit comfortably in your hand

Where are those writers now, I wonder?

 

[Aus_Snow]

For the record, I've only read 'The Broken Sword', so far. Loved it. Wished I could find more fantasy books like it. . .

Just now, I've gone ahead and bought a few more (the first being, not surprisingly, 'Three Hearts and Three Lions'.) As soon as I'm able, I'll see if I can post some thoughts on these.

Where are those writers now, I wonder?

So do I.

 

[Zaukrie]

I liked 3 heats, but I just tried to get my 11 year old fantasy loving son to read it, and he couldn't get into the language. I've not read any others.

 

[Silver Moon]

My favorite of Anderson's work is his Time Patrolman series (three books I believe). It was the basis for the Timecop movie and television series as well as the Timemaster RPG.

 

[Wolf72]

read a few that were good (titles escape me) ...

read "Boat of a Million Years" about immortals ... really good in the beginning ... then last half or so sucked the void of space ... to be fair I guess that's how the story was supposed to go (maybe?).

basically the immortals were discovered and tested, mankind learns genetic secrets, becomes extremely long lived/immortal too ... less kids, less population ... the originals leave to search out new places.

but the beginning was really enjoyable, very highlander-esque in the way things happened in to the characters in different time periods (no cutting off of heads)

 

[Erik Mona]

Virgin Planet is pretty lame, actually, despite the winning premise.

It's been a real chore to finish it and I've probably gone three five or six other novels since I started it.

--Erik