Best books of two categories?

Question

First category, Good contemporary fantasy like the golden compass.

Second category, some military memoirs or fiction from a soldier's (prefferably not american, just getting sick of the constant glorification) point of view.

First one to answer both thoroughly with good books (I'll look at the first few pages on amazon) get's best answer.

Answer 1

Contemporary Fantasy:
Neil Gaiman. There are no words to describe him. He is just plain brilliant. He has an ability to blend myth, humor, fantasy, and magic all into one. I'd start with Neverwhere, which is kind of a dark, Aliceinwonderland-esque novel which takes place in London. American Gods is his masterpiece, which topped The Da Vinci code off the #1 spot and won a Hugo. It takes in contemporary times and it's about the battle of the "old" gods (like Thor and Ibis) with the "new" gods (like Television). And if you have a chance, go see the movie Mirrormask, which he wrote the Screenplay for =). You'll love him.

Terry Brooks. He's one of my favorite fantasy authors. He has a series called the Word and the Void which are about normal people who are named Knights in an alternative future where the world is dying and they're the only ones who can save it. Terry's new book, which comes out next Tuesday is somewhat a continuation of that series, and a prelude to his claim to fame, the Shannara novels. Although his Shannara novels don't exactly take place in the current times, they are definitely worth reading because it has magic, elves, airships, and wonderful stories.

If you liked the Golden Compass, I think you should also read fantasy that doesn't necessarily take place in "current" times. George R.R. Martin is like the king of High Fantasy, with Terry Goodkind running a close second. Good old fashion magic can be found in Mercedes Lackey and Robin Hobb.

Military Memoirs/Fiction:
I have limited experience in this, but from what I've read, I've loved the following:
Bernard Cornwall. BBC did a special on him a few weeks ago. Yes, it is amaerican military, but it's fiction. And he's excellent in staying in the point of view of the character in question, not much glorification =)

Forgotten Soldier by Guy Sajer. This is about a teenage German boy who fought in WWII and it's all through his perspective and the horror he witnessed. Very good book.

I have personally loved the military memoirs of Julius Caesar. Although he is BC, The Conquest of Gaul is a very good memoir of the expedition.

Tom Clancy. I hesitate to recommend him because he is more technical and may fall into your "sick of glorification territory." I have read his earlier novels, not so much the recent ones. Red October definitely is not glorifying and it is an excellent military thriller.

Good luck on the reading!

Answer 2

As for the first one, my favourite contemporary writer is Paul Auster, and his "New York Trilogy" is worldwide acknowledged. He provides a Kafka-like atmosphere mixed with postmodernism.

As for the second, there are many, including U. S. writers (without glorification), such as Hemingway's "For Whom The Bells Toll", Remarque's classic "All Quiet on the Western Front"... etc. My favourite war novel is Stephen Crane's "The Red Badge of Courage". Finally, let me recommend an interesting one, "Simplicissimus" by Grimmelshausen. It is not really good, but it provides a picture of war in the 17th century by a 17th century man.

Answer 3

Great question!
First category: you gotta admit the Harry Potter series is GREAT. The plot is a wonderful cliffhanger... if you haven't at least given it a chance, ahhhhhhhh! The last book of the series (#7) has lots of questions to fill. what will happen...
Second Category: All Quiet on the Western Front, the book is wonderful, by Erich Remarque, young German soldier joins the First World War 1918... all the death and loss around him, it is a true classic...

Happy readings!

Answer 4

I know next to nothing about fantasy , but here are the two I can think of for military:

"Regeneration" by Pat Barker is an excellent novel about WWI from a British perspective.

"The Enormous Room" by e.e. cummings (which is a fictionalized account of his actual experience) is American but is amazingly good as it is both funny and heartbreaking. It can be dificult to read as he experiements heavily with style and throws in French phrases constantly, but this actually adds to the book.

Answer 5

First category, Good contemporary fantasy like the golden compass........"lucky star" by Asimov

Second category, some military memoirs or fiction from a soldier's ......... "Diario de una Bandera" "Raza" both written by Francisco Franco

Answer 6

Contemporary fanasy is tough - try "Island of the sequined love nun" by Christopher Moore - It's more comedic than fantasy... definately not the dragons and demons kind of thing...

Military - well not really - but kinda - try Mo Hayder's book "Tokyo" again not a military book - but my wife put me onto it and it's a unique perspective on the Japanese invasion of China - yes - Japan tried to take over China once upon a time.... welcome to world history chilrdren...

Answer 7

I cant read.
sorry about that.