Piers Anthony fans check in here.

[ember dawn]

I myself love this writer he has given me a knew outlook on life. He makes me think about things in a different light. Especially in his book 'Pet Peeve'.

[Kind of Blue]

1. I haven't read him in so long.

Thanks for the reminder and the recommendation. And big welcome to DU!

[ember dawn]

4. Thanks for the kind welcome

I have been a fan of Piers Anthony since I was a teenager. The first book I read of his was "Golem in the Gears" and I couldn't quit after that. I even named my first daughter after one of his characters in the book. Princess Ivy because she was the one that I most related to. People around me tend to act the same way towards me that they did to her in the book. I figured it fitting that I name my daughter after her for that reason. And it has turned out to be real close.

[DontBlameMe]

2. Have you ever read his works before?

I ask, because, if you are not a HUGE fan of puns, plays on words, etc., you will find his stuff getting old very quick.

I was a big fan of his years ago, but after too, too many Xanth pun-filled tortuous adventures I had to stop.

[ember dawn]

5. I am the type of person that loves the punny style of writing

I talk like that a lot around my children and it really makes them think about how they say things now. Because you really have to word things right or it could be taken wrong and cause a lot of hard feelings. My oldest son (18 next month) read some of his works and said it gave him a better perspective on how to pay attention to what he says and how he words things now. But he didn't like it enough to read any more than the one.

But yes I think I have read at least 9 of his books and I own probably 5 of them. I read it when I get depressed and it cheers me up and makes me laugh a lot.

[Orrex]

3. I haven't read that one, but...

Years ago I read several in the Xanth series, and I forced myself to get through the Incarnations books. I can't really call myself a fan.

One thing that really bothered me about those two series was the strange but pervasive sexism. He could scarcely get through a whole page without commenting on some female character's breasts or else pointing out that she was nude or topless. In A Spell for Chameleon, for example, the protagonist encounters a vile Harpy, the essence and personification of foulness. However, Piers still stops to point out that she has nice boobs. And when Chameleon rides on the back of a female centaur, Piers can't help mentioning her breasts, either.

I like breasts as much as the next guy, but over the long haul it got to be a bit much. And his self-congratulatory "author's notes" at the end of every book were objectionably narcissistic IMO.

I've read a great deal about his laudable political views and his willingness to help young writers, etc. That's great, but at the end of it all I'd still have to say that I don't really care for him.

[ember dawn]

6. I agree to a point

But I think he is just pointing out that that is the way the world sees everything and tries to use it to his advantage to get the readers attention and keep it. He is the type of writer that is something like a "required taste". But I myself like it because it makes me use my brain to understand what he is referring to sometimes. I like books that makes me smile.

[TransitJohn]

12. Nah, he's not just pointing out that that's how the world works,

he just likes female boobs. Have you read his self published porn....er....erotica?

[X_Digger]

7. Just finished the Chromagic series..

.. it was a refreshing change from the puns of Xanth.

Heavy on the sex, but he roasts and toasts both sexes equally :)

[ember dawn]

9. I haven't read any lately but I think I look into it again

Reading at least relaxes me and helps me sleep at night.

[Qanisqineq]

8. I read the Xanth series

up until about 10 years ago then I got kind of bored with it. I was going to start reading his Xanth series again but I couldn't remember what ones I had read or figure out the order of the new ones so I gave up.

[ember dawn]

10. Yeah I always forgot the order too

So I just read whatever the library had on hand at the time. They never carry many of his books at one time.

[Greyskye]

11. I have a bunch of hardcover 1st editions in excellent condition

Any bidders? :evilgrin:

[Broken_Hero]

13. I just started Spell of the Chameleon the other day

I'm about 50 pages deep...so far, its interesting enough to keep me involved. :D

[Orrex]

14. You mean the first Xanth book?

Do yourself a favor and don't read any of the ones that follow it.


Also, don't read the "Author's Note."

[Broken_Hero]

15. I have to give it a shot,

my wife's cousin recommended him to me, so I'm giving him a fair shake. She gave me the first 6 or 7 books of the series, I'm going to hunker down and give it the good fight. I just fought through the Eragon set, so this series can't be as bad.

[Orrex]

16. Just brace for the boobies

And reading Anthony's Author's Notes is reminiscent of watching him masturbate in the public square.

I got as far as the third book or so and had to call it quits.


Best of luck to you in your struggle!!

[Broken_Hero]

17. I should have listened to you

Piers, at least this series just isn't for me, The Source of Magic, wasn't very good, and I'm about 90 pages deep in Castle Roogna, but I'm done, I gave him an honest shot, finished 2 books, and don't care to know what happens to Dor...I barely cared enough for Bink, or the rest, the Grundly character is ok, but again, just not for me.

[Orrex]

18. Live and learn, alas.

Perhaps your suffering can be an example to others...