I'm considering whether or nor I should read the Childe Cycle by Gordon R. Dickson. Is it worth the while to go browsing for a complete set? Or are there titles that could be read as stand-alone novels? To my knowledge the entire series spans nine books. Is this correct or is my information sadly outdated? I have only read one book by Dickson, The Way of the Pilgrim, and thought it rather good. I do have to add that at some times the narrative was kind of hard to get through, but the plot of the story easily made up for that. Is this typical for Dickson's books?
All your input will be appreciated. K.
Posts: 993 | Registered: Jul 2006
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posted
I haven't read that book, but I have read Time Storm by Dickson. It was bad enough that I have no interest in reading anything else he has written, but perhaps it was nonrepresentative. He certainly is a prolific writer. Personally, when I'm trying out new books/authors, I try to check them out at the library so if I hate them it hasn't cost me anything.
posted
I greatly enjoyed the Childe Cycle. I think you could read the first few books in any order; they pretty much stand on their own. I think starting with Lost Dorsai, the 6th book you probably need to go in order and have read the early works. My first was The Tactics of Mistake and I was hooked on the Dorsai. There are 10 books from 1959 to 1994 and one just completed by his assistant.
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Haven't read the Childe Cycle yet, but I love the whole Dragon Knight series, and I've read many stand-alone sf books by him as well. Mindspan is a great short story collection, and Spacepaw is quite a good novel.
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posted
Thanks for the info. I thought of looking for the books in the library myself, but unfortunately the libraries over here aren't well stocked when it comes to science fiction, the more so if the books in question are several decades old. Perhaps it would be wise to read another of his stand-alone books to get a better idea of his writing style, before committing to an entire series.
also, baduffer, could you possible send me your list, since my list has Lost Dorsai as the second book. TIA.
posted
I was referencing publishing order which is how I read most of them. I bet your list is in "future history" order. I guess that is why I said Lost Dorsai was an important starting point. Most of the books published after it are in direct "history" order or concurrent time frames from different viewpoints. I have not read Antagonist. I would be interested in seeing the historical order; here is the publishing order:
1. Dorsai! (1959) aka The Genetic General 2. Necromancer (1962) aka No Room for Man 3. Soldier, Ask Not (1967) 4. The Tactics of Mistake (1971) 5. The Spirit of Dorsai (1979) 6. Lost Dorsai (1980) 7. The Final Encyclopedia (1984) 8. The Chantry Guild (1988) 9. Young Bleys (1991) 10. Other (1994) 11. Antagonist (2007)
Posts: 87 | Registered: Apr 2007
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posted
Thanks baduffer, this is very helpful. I do not have the copy of the list I made with me right now, but it was on the inside of a copy of The Chantry Guild and as you suggested was probably in the "historical order"; starting with Dorsai! followed by Lost Dorsai. I can give the full list tomorrow.
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1. Dorsai! 2. Lost Dorsai 3. Necromancer 4. Soldier, Ask Not 5. The Spirit of Dorsai 6. The Tactics of Mistake 7. The Final Encyclopedia 8. The Chantry Guild 9. The Dorsai Companion
I guess that last title might be some sort of background information or some such thing.
Posts: 993 | Registered: Jul 2006
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posted
Thanks for that list, it is interesting. For some reason I imagined Necromancer as taking place before any of the others, but my memory may be fading since it has been over 30 years since I read it.
Since the latest book just came out and I haven't read one of these in over 10 years I think I will have to go back and re-read the series. I will have to think about the order. Hopefully they are all available, I gave all mine away years ago. Every time I move my paperback collection gets donated to the library (and I move a lot).
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