Work in Progress
The idea is for The Jub Jub Bird to become a site dedicated to the search for that mythical beast, Literary Fantasy: quality literature of a speculative nature. The emphasis is on the word quality because there’s so much dross out there, under the sci-fi / fantasy tag heading. This blog will attempt to direct readers towards the good-stuff and perhaps play some small part in bringing about a wider acceptance of speculative works by the mainstream.
I’ve kept a watching brief on sci-fi and fantasy since the days of my youth, when I was in to Tolkein, Iain M Banks, Pratchett, Weis & Hickman and Gaiman amongst others. Twenty years later there are serious gaps in my knowledge of the genre and its stars. I intend to educate myself and, by recording my thoughts along the way, stimulate debate and introduce others to the best that writing-between-the-worlds has to offer.
Please let me know your thoughts. As I’m a learner, any helpful advice or recommendations, gratefully received.
‘And when quarrels arose – as one frequently finds
Quarrels will, spite of every endeavour –
The song of the JubJub recurred to their minds,
And cemented their friendship for ever!’
Danielhall33@hotmail.co.uk
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Work in Progress
The idea is for The Jub Jub Bird to become a site dedicated to the search for that mythical beast, Literary Fantasy: quality literature of a speculative nature. The emphasis is on the word quality because there’s so much dross out there, under the sci-fi / fantasy tag heading. This blog will attempt to direct readers towards the good-stuff and perhaps play some small part in bringing about a wider acceptance of speculative works by the mainstream.
I’ve kept a watching brief on sci-fi and fantasy since the days of my youth, when I was in to Tolkein, Iain M Banks, Pratchett, Weis & Hickman and Gaiman amongst others. Twenty years later there are serious gaps in my knowledge of the genre and its stars. I intend to educate myself and, by recording my thoughts along the way, stimulate debate and introduce others to the best that writing-between-the-worlds has to offer.
Please let me know your thoughts. As I’m a learner, any helpful advice or recommendations, gratefully received.
‘And when quarrels arose – as one frequently finds
Quarrels will, spite of every endeavour –
The song of the JubJub recurred to their minds,
And cemented their friendship for ever!’
Danielhall33@hotmail.co.uk
Review Pending
The Scar - China Mieville
Now Reading
The Dispossessed - Ursula Le Guin
Coming Up
Gawain and the Green Knight - Simon Armitage
Best Reads 2010
The Children's Book by A.S. ByattMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
Rich and multi-faceted period piece by one of the best. See my full review at....https://thejubjubbird.wordpress.com/2010/...
In the Night Garden by Catherynne M. ValenteMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
A treasure trove of fairy tales, told the way stories used to be....
The Jub Jub Bird 
As “The Jub Jub Bird” already is the title of your blog, I can recommend the best fantasy book I know: “The Hunting of the Snark”.
Thanks for the recommendation Goetz, I’ll add it to the list.
Hey – love your blog! I’m a children’s writer, writing what my agent has described as “literary” (whatever that means these days!)…
Check out my blog: http://nigelmcdowell.wordpress.com/
Thanks Nigel. Looks right up my street! I’ve been thinking about defining the ‘literary’ part of my sub-heading, though I shan’t attempt to cover it all in one post.