SPOILERS The Long War *Spoilers*

[Tonyblack]

Well the new book is out and many of us will have copies and be eager to discuss with other people who have read it.

This is the place to discuss without worrying about posting spoilers.

If you haven't read The Long War yet, then go no further as reading the discussions on this thread may spoil your enjoyment when you do get a copy.

You have been warned!

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[Tiffany]

Got my copy today & from no other posts, people must be reading theirs. I am at chapter 4. I'm getting into it, but can't say it's unputdownable, coz I just did.

 

[simmonds91]

Getting my copy on Monday, really excited.

 

[The Mad Collector]

Got my copy today & from no other posts, people must be reading theirs. I am at chapter 4. I'm getting into it, but can't say it's unputdownable, coz I just did.

It improves, I had a 250 page session last night, just had to keep going....

 

[Who's Wee Dug]

Does this one sag in the middle a little bit like the Long Earth, I have not bought mine, yet looked at one today.

 

[kizkiz]

Finished it this morning
nothing really happens to be honest
I mean, the trolls go away, watch a hologram of lobsang saying give us another chance, then come straight back.
They introduce the beagles, who don't do anything.
they introduce a few characters who do very little
It really did seem like the middle few chapters of a much longer book to me

 

[Who's Wee Dug]

Oh well £9 is no that much to spend on it.

 

[Tiffany]

Finished it this morning
nothing really happens to be honest
I mean, the trolls go away, watch a hologram of lobsang saying give us another chance, then come straight back.
They introduce the beagles, who don't do anything.
they introduce a few characters who do very little
It really did seem like the middle few chapters of a much longer book to me

I'm half the way through it & feel the same. Too many characters as well.

 

[kizkiz]

It's definitely setting up the next book. It introduces the characters and a brief background on them all.
We'll have lobsang with Joshua, sally, the rev etc
There will also be the navy girl and her troops off exploring.

 

[Who's Wee Dug]

Just like the Long Earth did.

 

[Tonyblack]

I haven't gotten very far with the book - I've been preoccupied, but I'm enjoying it. Terry really understands humanity and the way it thinks. When presented with infinite paradises, humanity reverts to form and tries to exploit.

The Rev seems interesting, although I haven't read much about him. A "religious" man who, when presented with something miraculous, turns to science for an explanation.

And there seems to be a whole of historical parody in there with colonies wanting to be independent to politicians appealing to the worst in people to gain votes.

 

[Tiffany]

Come back Discworld. I liked you better.

 

[Quatermass]

I haven't read the book yet, but thanks to TP's Twitter account, I learned that Michael Fenton Stevens read the audiobook. Just today, I heard him play the role of 'Mr Seyton' in the audio play Doctor Who: The Kingmaker. One set of his best lines?

SEYTON (having just appeared in the TARDIS in front of Richard of Gloucester and Henry, Duke of Buckingham, and delivered in a very hammy tone): For your information sir, this is my travelling machine! My magic cabinet that takes me to places beyond your imagination!

HENRY: So you're a demon, are you?

SEYTON: That depends. (quiet and concerned) Do they burn individuals that show sign of devilry in this century?

HENRY: Yes.

SEYTON: Well, in that case, I am a wise and benevolent sorcerer!

 

[Tonyblack]

I'm still slowly working my way through and had a little chuckle over Joshua's son wanting to be a "twain driver".

 

[Tiffany]

Finished it a few moments ago. Can't say I was very impressed, but there were some good parts to it.
Left open for another, I think.

 

[kizkiz]

It occurred to me earlier that a sports match involving natural steppers could be great fun.
Imagine Rooney running at goal, then suddenly vanishing, and reappearing just in front of goal for the tap in. lol

 

[Quatermass]

Just finished reading it, and I was surprised by the negative comments. While it is true that it's far from perfect, it feels at about the same level as The Long Earth, albeit for different reasons. I thought that the examination of how Stepping would affect politics was better than it was in the previous book, and the new species were welcome. But the sense of wonder has diminished, and the humour is not quite there either. Anyone else get the feeling that Stephen Baxter is the one doing most of the writing here? :think:

Overall, pretty good book.

 

[Tonyblack]

I'm still enjoying it.

 

[Quatermass]

I actually forgot to mention this, but there's a joke at one point in the book about a twain's bosun being called Higgs, right? Well, in an obscure fashion, that joke was already done in the Girl Genius comic. There's a character called Airman 3rd Class Higgs, whose naval equivalent rank would be a bosun.

 

[Tonyblack]

Q, I think it's got more to do with the Higgs Boson elementary particle.

Edit - I think that's what you are saying though.