Those who love the Fantasy genre...

[SoupDragon]

Which world would you like to live in? For me it's Pern every time. No matter how many fabulous books I read (and I've read 100s. Maybe 1000s), that is the only world I actually want to go and live in. It may be because of the dragons of course...

[cherryblossoms]

Hello SoupDragon.

I thought this was a really interesting question. So I thought about it, and I realised I'm a really, really boring person.

First of all, I thought I'd quite like to live in Alaistair Reynolds Glitter Band; technologically advanced, lots of travel through space, long-life, lots of interesting stuff. And I thought what I might like to be there ... and it hit me I'd probably be poor and it would be a rubbish existence ... .

So then I thought about Robin Hobb's dragon worlds; magic, sea travel, dragons, etc.. And then I thought that they are basically the middle ages and the middle ages have horrible diseases and poor health provision (even with the magic).

So ... (and this is where it really gets a bit sad) I suddenly realised the only place I'd truly be comfy was Iain M. Bank's The Culture. Which is basically a sort of Scandinavia/California souped up and technologised.

How sad is that? What a complete failure of imaginitive courage. I was actually really stressed when I started to think about life as a medium- to low-earner in the Glitter Band ... .

What's Pern like?

[roisin]

Oh yes, to be a dragonrider on Pern - the sex sounds fantastic I'd probably end up a drudge somewhere thought!

I'd quite like to be a faerie in the LEP though too.

I'd settle for being a hobbit in middle earth or an elf ..

Actually, when I start to think about it, whenever I read a book that I enjoy I can imagine myself as the hero of the story!

I do love Anne McAffrey though: I didn't know you were a fan. Is that where your name comes from? Have you read the latest ones (co-)authored by her son?

[roisin]

She lives in Ireland I believe. This summer we were on the west coast of Ireland on a peninsular, with sea around us for about 270 degrees and a blue sky. There was this amazing front approaching, with gossamer white cloud but very heavy rain, visible in the sky as it fell, and stirring up the sea. We were several miles from the car and about to get drenched (not unusual in Ireland!), so it felt quite ominous and threatening. But visually it was stunning.

As we watched it coming in, it suddenly struck us that this scene was the inspiration for thread. (Actually it struck dh first, but ds1 and I both agreed!)

[SoupDragon]

No, my name comes from the Clangers

I've just finished the latest paperback one, DragonHarper, which is by both of them. This is what made me think about what land I'd like to live in. I found it bizarre that of all the ones I've read about, Pern is the only one I'd want to live. Sadly too old now to impress a dragon though

Pern is, I guess, rural mediaeval. With a bit of technology thrown in during the later books (later in time, now when they were written ) since the settlers of theplanet came from a technologically advanced world. It was kind of like Escape to the Country on a grand scale

I don't know why it's the world I want to live in. I always get immersed in a book and live through it as the hero/ine but this one is the only place I want to linger.

[SoupDragon]

Obviously I would live with the Dragon riders or maybe be a Harper. Although I can't sing or play an instrument...

[janeite]

I would live in the Shire with Sam.

Or in Discworld with the lovely Captain Carrot.

[pointydog]

I do not love fantasy. However, I would like to live in the shire too.

[janeite]

No, I don't love fantasy either - or not modern, non-teenage fantasy! I would like to see Gandalf's fireworks and meet Tom Bombadil.

[Colonelcupcake]

This is a really good and though provoking question, I would like to go to either Pern in the later volumes once they have sorted out tech, or possibly the Roke island in the Earthsea series

[EachPeachPearMum]

I would like to live on Discworld, definitely.

[KatyMac]

Pern or the Shire definitely

Or I'd like to be a crystal singers or a brawn

actually a Talent would be good too

Or live on PTB maybe (might be a bit cold)

I would also love Valdemar

Or in the belgairad somehow

I guess who you are in the book dictates where you want to be

America with the Elves would be nice if a little dangerous

[Jux]

I'd like to live in The Culture.

[SweetWilliam]

ooooo

[SweetWilliam]

OOps

[madamekoto]

Ankh Morpork, every time. Maybe in the shades....

[fishie]

hmm maybe a ranyhyn in the land. sunnydale but i might have been eaten. i do quite fancy wherever the abhorsen was.

discworld is a bit two dimensional.

[differentCupID]

Pern, I'd live in the harper world.

[SoupDragon]

Oooh, Valdemar has its merits... but only if I could have a big white horse

I'd quite fancy being one of Jennifer Roberson's Cheysuli actually. I've not thought of them for ages.

[KatyMac]

I thought this would be a much busier thread

[nooka]

The trouble with a lot of fantasy is that it is set in feudal type worlds where the lot for women is fairly pants. Fun to read, but not to live, I think. Also there is usually a fair amount of peril going on (which obviously keeps you turning the pages) which I wouldn't really like in my life. Looking at my shelves I don't think I'd like to live in any of those worlds! I think Science Fiction probably offers better alternatives.

[SoupDragon]

In Science Fiction you have to wear silver catsuits though, which can be rather unflattering

[squilly]

In science fantasy you don't have to wear silver catsuits. Hence my penchant for fantasy rather than fiction. I'm much better at the busty wench at the bar type outfits, as long as they cover the thighs!

My favourite place to live would have to be the university town where Kvothe lives, Patrick Rothfuss's creation in The Name of the Wind.

Alternatively, it would have to be Discworld, but I'm sure I'd end up in the Shades or next to the River Ankh...not an appealing thought.

[squilly]

Reality...Gaiman's too scary for me. Though I wouldn't mind living in Stormhold, but only if Tristran and Yvaine were king & queen (film, rather than book based opinion, though I did love the book too).

I wonder if I could live in his Graveyard setting. I quite like the idea of the town's dance with the residents. Very intriguing.