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

[Mij]

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

Ursula Le Guin maybe? Her books for adults are wonderful. The Dispossessed, Always Coming Home(my favourite), Left Hand of something or other.

Kevin Crossley Holland's Arthurian quartet.
Ursula le Guin

Thanks OrmIrian, I'm a bit at sea with anything fantasy, cos while I like Philip Pullman I don't really 'get' adult fantasy - don't even like magical realism a la Angela Carter et al.

I'll check her out...

Oooh, lots of x-posts! I'd found Neil Gaiman but didn't know what to make of him, so that's a great help.

I'm a sucker for a bit of Arthurian action too...

Garth Nix - Sabriel, Lirael and Abhorsen.
Second Neil Gaiman.

The Dresden Files are slighty 'off' your spec but really really good.
He's a modern day wizard living in Chicago helping the police solve supernatural crimes events - cue vampires, werewolves, trolls, faeries but not in the 'sword & sorcery' style. Very well written, funny & exciting.
Not to be confused with the Sky series of the same name, based very loosely on the books and was utter pants

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

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

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

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

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.

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'.

Yes Garth Nix. The Abhorsen books are fabulous.

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.

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.

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

Mark Chadbourn ?

Day Watch by Sergei Lukanyeko ?

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!

Jeff Noon is fabulous!

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

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

try this

Ken MacLeod