Iain Banks Interview and Podcast News
Always an interesting interviewee but this one also has news of a free podcast containing excerpts from his new book: Transition.
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 