rdtthoughtpolice t1_j9xonui wrote on February 25, 2023 at 8:37 AM

Interesting take!

I've read a lot of his books but not this one. I think Use of Weapons had the most effect on me because the subject matter is also pretty extreme. He was a brilliant writer, one of my favourites, but he certainly got into some dark places in his writing, especially when it came to the human mind.

Have you read much else of his work?

[deleted] OP t1_j9xowk3 wrote on February 25, 2023 at 8:40 AM

I have read like alot of books by him. However this one is the one that has stuck with me because of the reasons in my post. I love Use of Weapons but it just doesnt scare that much as it's science fiction and uses supernatural instead of being a close analysis of the mind of a young psychopathic teen boy. What did you like about Use of Weapon's subject matter? It was similar to his other novels...

rdtthoughtpolice t1_j9xp630 wrote on February 25, 2023 at 8:44 AM

Oh it's not my favourite of his books, that one goes to Excession for the great depiction of the culture Minds, but use of weapons is about the horrific things people do during war and the story about zakalwe and the chair is just so dark, especially when you finally realise who is who...also I am 40 so no doubt I emphasise more with older characters

[deleted] OP t1_j9xqac4 wrote on February 25, 2023 at 9:00 AM

I have read Excession and yeah, it's quite good. It's like Good Omens level good. And I think you have a really amazing sense of liking books. We are quite alike!

rdtthoughtpolice t1_j9xqy72 wrote on February 25, 2023 at 9:09 AM

Oh you like Terry Pratchett. You sir are clearly a person of taste. Have you read the discworld books?

[deleted] OP t1_j9xr7ih wrote on February 25, 2023 at 9:13 AM

Read em. Love em. Keep em by my bedside

rdtthoughtpolice t1_j9xwx1n wrote on February 25, 2023 at 10:36 AM

Hmm let's see what else you might like. Have you read Hyperion by Dan Simmons? That's well regarded.

I've been reading Peter F Hamilton lately, which are not perfect but they are a good read still. Particularly the Nights Dawn trilogy, but I've also enjoyed Pandora's star and Judas

You might try William Gibson if you haven't already. Starting with neuromancer and working your way through. I think those have a charm of their own reading them these days.

Do you read fantasy? The wheel of time is a classic worth reading.