Just out of curiousity. He's arguably one of the very best young adult authors out there. Somehow he's managed to, time and time again, create living characters in bizarre circumstances. But he also manages to explain even the most obscure and confusing things well enough that just about anybody can comprehend it, be they young or old. Quantam mechanics? Try The Last Universe. Multiple dimensions, with entirely new directions? Go for The Boy who Reversed Himself. Black holes and singularities? Well, Singularity. Time Travel is explored masterfully in Rewind.
But beyond that, most of his characters are...really, unbelievably believable. Singularity and House of Stairs are prime examples of this.
So...I just wanted to know if there are any other William Sleator fans out there. He's one of my favorite authors, and some of his books are some of my favorite of all time. (Singularity, anyone?)
If you haven't read any of his books, I suggest you go out and check out Singularity and House of Stairs right now. They're both quite short, and you'll finish them in no time. You won't regret it, I can pretty much guarantee that. Chances are after that, you'll end up reading most of his other books as well, and we'll have more fans. Never a bad thing.
</random subject written whilst too tired>
Posted by twinky (Member # 693) on :
I remember really enjoying Interstellar Pig as a kid.
Posted by aragorn64 (Member # 4204) on :
Interstellar Pig, and Parasite Pig are great.
Not his best, IMO. But they're both pretty dang funny.
Posted by Belle (Member # 2314) on :
I'm always on the lookout for great young adult authors. I'll be sure to check him out.
Posted by aragorn64 (Member # 4204) on :
Yes, please do so. Tell us what you think--I've converted more then one person to being Sleator fans on other forums in the past. ^_^
Posted by Telperion the Silver (Member # 6074) on :
I must kill you now.
Posted by Baron Samedi (Member # 9175) on :
I've read all of his books many times, and he's been one of my heroes ever since 4th grade. The Green Futures of Tycho has been at the top of my list since I read it, but Singularity, The Duplicate, The Boy Who Reversed Himself, Interstellar Pig, and The House of Stairs are also on the list of books I've read far more times than I can count. But, as I said, I don't think he's ever written anything that I haven't read at least once.
I don't know how realistic I find his characters, but he has a real gift for taking things that seem totally cool, especially to the mind of a fifth-grader (time travel, journeys into the fourth physical dimension, duplication, telepathy, space travel, etc.), and making them look twisted, dark and scary. I'm surprised that his books haven't long since been made into movies.
Posted by Puffy Treat (Member # 7210) on :
When Sleator is good, he's very good.
That said, some of his recent novels have cool concepts but incredibly clunky characters. I could barely stay interested in Parasite Pig.
Still, The Last Universe made up for it.
Posted by aragorn64 (Member # 4204) on :
I enjoyed Interstellar Pig and Parasite Pig, but I really don't think of them as coming close to many of his other books. I can see where you're coming from when you say some of his novels have clunky characters...but when he's good, he's very very good (which is most of the time).
Yeah, my sister got me The Last Universe for Christmas last year. I love it--the idea of a quantam garden is weird, and kind of blows your mind. And the ending? MAN, that was...well, I won't spoil it for anybody. ^_^
Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :
Oh for the love of Pete, I thought this said William Shatner. I was so worried. *rests head on desk*
Posted by starLisa (Member # 8384) on :
OMG, yes. I read The House of Stairs when I was a kid, and I've never, ever forgotten it. A couple of years ago, I set out to find it (not so easy, since I'd forgotten the name of the book), and picked up some others of his while I was at it. The House of Stairs still stands alone. It is just chilling. And in terms of group think and individualism, I think it should be required reading for every kid.
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