[ChrisW]

http://www.malazanem...read.php?t=3133

It's just below the review.

He's a bit brutal with some of your questions but aleast he's refreshingly honest! :eek3:

[Asheroth]

Lobo: It appears to me, by very nature of his being hard to find, that Glen Cook is the kind of person who would not appreciate being tracked down by a rabid fan

[drinksinbars]

glad to see he's candid. Makes a change from some authors who seem to take it so seriously.

another great interview Chris, who's next?

[RodeoRanch]

Amusing.

[Kimpo]

you mean these guys?

"The English word thug, meaning a violent criminal, comes from the Hindi word thag (and originally from the Sanskrit word sthaga), meaning a thief or villain.

The original Thugs were bands of roving criminals in India who strangled and robbed travellers. Originally these gangs committed murder following precise religious rites to honour Kali, the Hindu goddess of destruction."

taken from bbc.co.uk
and, sadly, I have to say that the books didn't live up to all the praise I've been reading on this board :/ they're ok but I'd have enjoyed them a lot more without the hype

[opiate taylor]

Kimpo said:

and, sadly, I have to say that the books didn't live up to all the praise I've been reading on this board :/ they're ok but I'd have enjoyed them a lot more without the hype

You mean the hype lessened your enjoyment of the books? I think they are some of the best fantasy books out there. they certainly have inspired many authors whose attempts at a similar style have fallen short of the simple and concise manner of the originals. Glen Cook is the most underrated fantasy writer in america. He deserves to be recognized for his accomplishments. In other words, the hype is always just that: hype. Let the books speak for themselves. And as far as GC taking things from the Indian culture, so what? Fantasy authors do it all the time. At least he is using them in an original way. Peace =)

[Kimpo]

opiate taylor said:

You mean the hype lessened your enjoyment of the books? I think they are some of the best fantasy books out there. they certainly have inspired many authors whose attempts at a similar style have fallen short of the simple and concise manner of the originals. Glen Cook is the most underrated fantasy writer in america. He deserves to be recognized for his accomplishments. In other words, the hype is always just that: hype. Let the books speak for themselves. And as far as GC taking things from the Indian culture, so what? Fantasy authors do it all the time. At least he is using them in an original way. Peace =)

Yes, they lessened the experience since I was expecting something as vast as Erikson, I missed the amount of characters you get to know, the only ones you really get beneath the skin were Croaker and Lady, since they were the only ones who's thoughts you got to follow. The intrigues wasn't as intricate but there were some good twists. I'd had hoped more on the military aspect, more focus to the larger battles instead of the squad size action(I like that too, just thought the balance between the two was schewed). The seeming invincibility of the Black Company in battle while they always complained about being old, sometimes I felt like I was reading about the Gray Horde in one of Pratchett's books

Edit: I have nothing against cultures being borrowed into Fantasy books, but giving them the same names... well, I prefer it when names and some details are changed so instead of getting the "stealing" feeling, you get a feeling of "ohh, I know what culture he took that from, and that detail is a nice twist to it, cleverly done" while nodding to yourself with a satisfied smile

[Svaran]

I would love to see Glen Cook take a crack writing a Jack Vance style book. I enjoyed Micheal Shea's a "Quest for Simbilis" a sequel of sorts for to Vance's classic "Eyes of the Overworld"

[opiate taylor]

I would recommend that you read them in order, since many of the characters from the first book remain central during the entire series. I am now reading SitD as well. While I love all the black Co. novels, I find that the first three are my favorites. I have recently began reading his Dread Empire books as well. They are really well done military fantasy with more than a touch of Scandinavian and middle-eastern influences. All in all, Cook is one hell of a writer, and I can say I have enjoyed everything I have read by him. And yes, that includes the Garrett novels.

[Dagger]

I have only read the first three Black Company and never got beyond there. From what I have heard, those were the best of the lot anyway. But they were incredible. Bare bones prose, no exposition, a breathless pace. Must have reread them at least three times and that's rare for me. I'll have to give his new series a shot, sounds like he's re-energized.