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I don't want to blaspheme, or speak ill of the dead.
However, as someone *born* in the 80s, I've not really read much if anything that has come directly from Gygax. However, what I have put together through the way people talk about him, and the aspects of 1e I can piece together, our tastes in games, and styles, are very different.
But my question is, when it comes to his ability as a writer, what's it like, and how is he? If I had never heard of Gygax, and I picked up one of the Planet Stories novels, what would my impression be based on the books themselves?
Can someone give a constructive critique?
I'm a little worried that I might get a lot of praise, simply due to who he was, or what he has done for the RPG hobby, and not if I'll enjoy his books or not.
I've only read anubus murders.. as i remember it, he is very descriptive through his character's reactions, senses and thoughts, and less through a narrator. This may be because he is writing a mystery-style book in anubus, but it is a little confusing as we try to understand how Gygaxian magic works in his earth-like world.
the was enjoyable... but very history based. as long as you don't try to seporate the facts he built upon from the fiction he made...
Everything I know about Gary is from the Advanced Dungeons and Dragons books, namely, the Dungeon Master's Guide. Go find a 1979 copy, snuggle down some where quiet and cozy up to the masterful feel of the game as it was designed to be played.
You will get a sense of Gary as the genius that he was - as the co-creator of our game.
As you know, most artists also dabble in other related artistic fields. For example, someone may like the Prince album 1999, but not have cared for him as an actor. Same with Madona, same with Sting, etc.
Even Elvis can be considered a competent actor (in some of his films), but his true genius was being the King of Rock and Roll.
So too, I find the E. Gary Gygax, that I have known to be best found in the way he wrote about the game, and the way he taught others to play through his writings. As for him as an author - my guess is that he was at least competent. So, when asked "how's Gary's writing," I am confident responding, "brilliant," but I refer to his game-related material, not his fiction.
I read Gygax's Gord books when they first were published, and quite enjoyed them. At that time in my life, I read any fantasy book I could get my hands on and enjoyed them. Now, my "fun" reading time is quite limited, hence precious, and therefor I am much more selective for what I'll read. That being said, I bought The Anubis Murders and was quite happy with the quality of writing. It is on par with any mature fantasy novel published currently. To be honest, I had some concerns prior to purchasing the book. My tastes have changed over the years, and while I loved the man for his contribution to making my life fun, his writing style in the later Dragon articles was sometimes... ?pretentious/over-the-top? However, I found his tone in the book was excellent, descriptions evocative, and characters unique yet still reassuringly familiar. I look forward to reading his other books that Paizo is publishing.
Back when the Gord the Rogue Books have been published I loved them. Part of that love had to do with them being based in Greyhawk. Back then, they made good reading but having reread them just a few month ago, I noted that the writing style is ...well lacking. I believe that this due to the reason that Fantasy writers have evolved during the last 20 years. Another example might be the Kane books by Karl Eduard Wagner. I really loved them, but after a recent re-read I asked myself: "what did you find so exiting about them back then." Again, I believe my preferences changed...evolved by reading novels of younger authors, who have developed a much more sophisticated writing style.
Still, both writers (as are other Classic Authors of SF an F) mentioned above are worth reading today, and are quite enjoyable. The lated Gygax books (Anubis Murders, Samarkand Solution, Deth in Delhi and Infernal Sorceress do have the problem that the reader does not know how the magic works. If You can get your hands on Gary's Dangerous Journey Rules, you can check out the magic system there, since the books are based on that RPG.
All in all, I can recommend any of his books. You will not waste your money. They are solid and one immediately recognizes that they have been written by a great storyteller. Just keep in mind that they have been written 20 to (almost) 30 years ago.
Everything I know about Gary is from the Advanced Dungeons and Dragons books, namely, the Dungeon Master's Guide. Go find a 1979 copy, snuggle down some where quiet and cozy up to the masterful feel of the game as it was designed to be played.
You will get a sense of Gary as the genius that he was - as the co-creator of our game.
As you know, most artists also dabble in other related artistic fields. For example, someone may like the Prince album 1999, but not have cared for him as an actor. Same with Madona, same with Sting, etc.
Even Elvis can be considered a competent actor (in some of his films), but his true genius was being the King of Rock and Roll.So too, I find the E. Gary Gygax, that I have known to be best found in the way he wrote about the game, and the way he taught others to play through his writings. As for him as an author - my guess is that he was at least competent. So, when asked "how's Gary's writing," I am confident responding, "brilliant," but I refer to his game-related material, not his fiction.
I fully agree with you Pax, his books were written like he was telling you how it was and how it was always going to be. Those AD&D books spoke with such conviction and confidence that they made me feel like I had missed the boat for quite some time. I was the absolute first to bring D&D to my school. I was preaching demonic lessons in the empty classrooms during lunch hour. If those books were any less or more than the quality or the quantity they were, I am not sure D&D would have been the success it was. Three books and an endless number of adventures printed under one name, Gary Gygax.
This was his lifetime accomplishment to the human race. The ability to escape and imagine wherever you were. Roleplaying is so part of my psyche that I think if it had never happened, I would have been a famous writer by now. I do not regret that. The creative synergy of roleplaying are worth the costs.
Cheers,
Zuxius
No jesting :) I would say that the Inhetep stories are better than some of Moore's, though overall, yes, Moore is a better writer than Gygax.
Comparable with Moore? Surely you jest?
Personally Black God's Kiss was a hard read for me. Not that I didn't enjoy the stories, just that it didn't engage me and therefore took me longer to read.
Gygax on the other hand engaged me straight away and kept me there.The Anubis Murders was good.
The Samarkand Solution was better.
I am waiting for Death in Delhi to see if the trend continues.
Infernal Sorceress has ben my favourite so far (which is a big ask to beat the Setne ones since I am an Ancient Egyptian fanboi). It makes me wish we had the chance to hear more stories of Ferret and Raker.
All in all. Highly enjoyable.
No jesting :) I would say that the Inhetep stories are better than some of Moore's, though overall, yes, Moore is a better writer than Gygax.
Comparable with Moore? Surely you jest?Personally Black God's Kiss was a hard read for me. Not that I didn't enjoy the stories, just that it didn't engage me and therefore took me longer to read.
Gygax on the other hand engaged me straight away and kept me there.
The Anubis Murders was good.
The Samarkand Solution was better.
I am waiting for Death in Delhi to see if the trend continues.Infernal Sorceress has ben my favourite so far (which is a big ask to beat the Setne ones since I am an Ancient Egyptian fanboi). It makes me wish we had the chance to hear more stories of Ferret and Raker.
All in all. Highly enjoyable.
are you people actually comparing catherine l.moore unfavourably with gary gygax?...i thought it was some other moore you were talking about...oh dear...how STRANGE that a lot of you don't seem to like jirel of joiry...there is NO accounting for taste(which is good,but hello!!!...gary gygax???...c.l.moore???...god no!!)
Back when the Gord the Rogue Books have been published I loved them. Part of that love had to do with them being based in Greyhawk. Back then, they made good reading but having reread them just a few month ago, I noted that the writing style is ...well lacking. I believe that this due to the reason that Fantasy writers have evolved during the last 20 years. Another example might be the Kane books by Karl Eduard Wagner. I really loved them, but after a recent re-read I asked myself: "what did you find so exiting about them back then." Again, I believe my preferences changed...evolved by reading novels of younger authors, who have developed a much more sophisticated writing style.
Still, both writers (as are other Classic Authors of SF an F) mentioned above are worth reading today, and are quite enjoyable. The lated Gygax books (Anubis Murders, Samarkand Solution, Deth in Delhi and Infernal Sorceress do have the problem that the reader does not know how the magic works. If You can get your hands on Gary's Dangerous Journey Rules, you can check out the magic system there, since the books are based on that RPG.
All in all, I can recommend any of his books. You will not waste your money. They are solid and one immediately recognizes that they have been written by a great storyteller. Just keep in mind that they have been written 20 to (almost) 30 years ago.
so you wouldn't think much of stuff that's like 50 or a hundred years old?...if so,you are missing out!...are you sure it's not you that's become more 'sophisticated'?...this happens to all of us...i even loved robert heinlein as a teenager...like 'glory road' and 'methuselah's children'?...but when i re-read them a few years ago it was just really ORDINARY...same with stacks of others(poul anderson,zelazny,edmund cooper etc etc)...but i can read moore,brackett,howard,ashton smith,et al over and over and just get more out of it...it's just BETTER...and the old gothic stuff of sheridan le fanu,william beckford,mary shelley etc.from the previous century is just as cool now as it ever was...oh well,each to their own
I have enjoyed the Gord books and the 1st book in Planet Stories (The Anibus Murders) and in in the middle of the 2nd book.
I must say it started slow but I was soon imersed in the books and enjoy them greatly. I can't wait to read the other 2.
But everyone's tastes are different, for me they are well worth the money.
Snorter
(Pathfinder Adventure Path Charter Subscriber; Roleplaying Game, Campaign Setting, Companion, Modules Subscriber; GameMastery Superscriber)
Back when the Gord the Rogue Books have been published I loved them. Part of that love had to do with them being based in Greyhawk. Back then, they made good reading but having reread them just a few month ago, I noted that the writing style is ...well lacking. I believe that this due to the reason that Fantasy writers have evolved during the last 20 years. Another example might be the Kane books by Karl Eduard Wagner. I really loved them, but after a recent re-read I asked myself: "what did you find so exiting about them back then." Again, I believe my preferences changed...evolved by reading novels of younger authors, who have developed a much more sophisticated writing style.
Writing styles have certainly changed.
Heroes used to do things, now they gaze at their navels, reflecting on what they feel.It's the difference between listening to Battle Metal and Emo-whinging. Both are nominally, and loosely, lumped together in the category of 'rock', but one leaves you feeling pumped up and ready to take on the world, the other leaves you with the urge to smack their spoiled little faces, confiscate their mummy's make-up, and cut off their flopsy assymetric fringes.
DARN KIDS! GET OFF OF MY GENRE!
so you wouldn't think much of stuff that's like 50 or a hundred years old?...if so,you are missing out!...are you sure it's not you that's become more 'sophisticated'?...this happens to all of us...i even loved robert heinlein as a teenager...like 'glory road' and 'methuselah's children'?...but when i re-read them a few years ago it was just really ORDINARY...same with stacks of others(poul anderson,zelazny,edmund cooper etc etc)...but i can read moore,brackett,howard,ashton smith,et al over and over and just get more out of it...it's just BETTER...and the old gothic stuff of sheridan le fanu,william beckford,mary...
I ain't saying that I dont like the older stuff. I just mentioned the difference in writing style so that new readers to Gary, Wagner, and such will know that they used a different writing style than contemporary writers.
