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Original poster

What's 'a bit like Philip Pullman but not Terry Pratchet'?

32 replies

Mij · 24/06/2009 13:32

Been asked for a book that meets the topic title spec.

Anyone any ideas?! It's for an adult btw. Bit desperate, mate's birthday is tomorrow, can't get to a bookshop and Amazon's recommendations are a bit random and difficult to gauge just from the website.

Thanks

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TheFool · 02/07/2009 18:41

Another vote for Nix and Abhorsen (less so the days of the week books)

neversaydie · 02/07/2009 17:43

One more - Sherwood Smith - this series is brilliant!

neversaydie · 02/07/2009 17:42

Diana Wynne Jones?

Wen Spencer?

Jasper Fforde?

Or, if he likes space opera,

David Weber?

Lois McMaster Bujold?

janeite · 02/07/2009 16:38

Really EachPeach? Gah. I am desperate for reading matter again too.

Oldyellow · 01/07/2009 23:34

Neal Stephenson Baroque Trilogy - not fantasy but sort of alternative history

Grandhighpoohba · 01/07/2009 23:23

ursula le guin's wizard of earthsea series - technically for kids but like pullman, even better for adults

PrincessLayer · 01/07/2009 23:03

Robert Rankin.

MrsBadger · 01/07/2009 22:32

Ken MacLeod

Katymac · 01/07/2009 22:24

try this

differentID · 01/07/2009 22:21

I've begun reading KE Mills. The Accidental Sorcerer is the first in the series.

EachPeachPearMum · 01/07/2009 22:19

Jeff Noon is fabulous!

Janeite I don't think you want this month's book then....

westernfront · 25/06/2009 17:13

love GarthNix - bought for 12yr old son but decided walking dead a bit much - now won't hand over as too brilliant!
Anyone else into Raymond e. Feist? - have to warn you - all housework and conversation will fall by the wayside as you read these!

CMOTdibbler · 25/06/2009 17:13

Mark Chadbourn ?

Day Watch by Sergei Lukanyeko ?

janeite · 25/06/2009 17:10

I can't even remember the ending but I know it was rubbish!

LovelyTinOfSpam · 25/06/2009 17:08

Iain M Banks? Sci Fi but very enjoyable and plays with ideas about being like our world but not quite, same as pullman.

End of Mr Y did have dreadful ending which was a real let-down - agree with Janeite's friends there!

Jeff Noon is fabulous - Vurt is the place to start.

Also agree Neil Gaiman excellent.

janeite · 25/06/2009 16:59

Deffo Gailman. 'American Gods' and 'Anansi's Boys' are my favourite.

'After Dark' by Marukami is good but I didn't like 'The Wild Sheep Chase' at all - those are the only two I've read.

I know five people that have read 'The End Of Mr Y' - 2 loved it, one gave up and myself and one other thought there was some really good writing in it but ultimately it failed for being a) too clever for its own good and b) having a rubbish ending.

I don't like Garth Nix either!

How about some 'older' fantasy/sci-fi such as War Of The Worlds / Day Of The Triffids etc?

Or if you want a fab series, different idea to Pullman but similar in that it has great characters, religious element (this time inspired by Japan) etc, then try Leane Hearn's 'Across The Nightingale Floor' series, which is very well written and spans years of epic battles etc.

Sunshinemummy · 24/06/2009 15:25

Yes Garth Nix. The Abhorsen books are fabulous.

fizzpops · 24/06/2009 14:21

As Juwesm says Garth Nix - not really for adults (more teen) but I am reading Lirael which is reminding me a lot of Philip Pullman. The first one is called 'Sabriel'.

gegs73 · 24/06/2009 14:09

Haruki Murakami is my favourite author and his books are all fantasy. Any of them are really good. I've just finished 'The End of Mr Y' by Scarlett Thomas, which Phillip Pullman gives a really positive review to so could be worth a try.

RealityIsMyOnlyDelusion · 24/06/2009 14:08

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retiredgoth2 · 24/06/2009 14:06

....didn't Neil Thingy write Coraline?

Took the urchins to see the film..... I was they were scared shitless by it...

Joolsiam · 24/06/2009 14:00

Never heard of Neil Gaiman, but will def check that out.

Just popped in to look at the answers as I love Philip Pullman but don't get Terry Pratchett.

Julian May is another fave of mine - a bit more futuristic though

RealityIsMyOnlyDelusion · 24/06/2009 13:48

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cyteen · 24/06/2009 13:44

There's also a great Neil Gaiman short story collection called Smoke & Mirrors.

RealityIsMyOnlyDelusion · 24/06/2009 13:42

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