|
Post by ian on Jun 11, 2009 15:41:14 GMT
If you were to recommend just one GNS novel to a friend, which one would it be and why?
|
|
|
Post by steppedonwolf on Jun 12, 2009 20:33:06 GMT
Difficult to say. I've always tried to spread the word, but most people I've lent GNS books to don't take to him.
I guess he's very much a Marmite writer, but I think his latest works will change peoples' minds.
All the novels from the Zebra era - in particular Dead End and Water Rites - would be good ones to start with for those allergic to giant crabs and heavy gore.
But I guess it would be a toss up between the supernatural time travel thriller Blackout and the psychological drama The Cadaver. Both recently published works (although written some time ago) and both proving that GNS has a lot more mileage in him yet - and ready for new readers!
|
|
|
Post by funkdooby on Jun 18, 2009 6:29:46 GMT
Probably Deathbell. If you don't enjoy that book, I doubt you'll enjoy anything GNS has written.
|
|
|
Post by steppedonwolf on Jun 19, 2009 17:19:13 GMT
I think Deathbell did very well in terms of sales. It's also a strangely timeless work as well. Not one that feels dated at all.
Without doubt one of the most original horror novels ever written - a bell that even the deaf can hear. How did he come up with this idea, FD?
|
|
|
Post by funkdooby on Jun 20, 2009 15:20:15 GMT
I think Deathbell did very well in terms of sales. It's also a strangely timeless work as well. Not one that feels dated at all. Without doubt one of the most original horror novels ever written - a bell that even the deaf can hear. How did he come up with this idea, FD? I don't know, I must confess. I don't think I've ever heard GNS discuss Deathbell. Someone needs to ask him where he got the idea from, for sure ;D
|
|
|
Post by darrelljoyce on Jun 24, 2009 21:53:25 GMT
I'd agree that 'Deathbell' is a timeless work, and very typical of GNS - a very good one to recommend to anyone looking for an example of his typical writing style.
Other than that, I'd find it difficult to pick a single book - although 'Mania' and 'The Black Fedora' (a strangely overlooked title from his back catalogue) spring to mind as distinct possibilities.
I would, however, recommend the 4-book 'Sabat' series as required reading for anyone unconvinced of Smith's writing prowess. They also run the gamut of the entire range of his writing style at the time they were written (and are all great reads in their own right, incidentally). Wonderful pulp horror for established fans and new readers alike.
|
|
|
Post by darrelljoyce on Jun 24, 2009 21:54:22 GMT
If I was forced to pick one title, however, I'd go for, 'Bloodshow.'
|
|
|
Post by nwdavies on Jun 27, 2009 19:13:14 GMT
Haven't read as many of his books as I'd like, but I did enjoy the "Crabs" books. Must search out some more.
|
|
|
Post by darrelljoyce on Jun 28, 2009 23:01:52 GMT
I'm a GNS heretic - not a big fan of the 'crabs' novels. He has written many superior works.
|
|
|
Post by ian on Jul 1, 2009 11:08:29 GMT
Does anyone have a LEAST favourite GNS books?
|
|
|
Post by steppedonwolf on Jul 1, 2009 13:12:12 GMT
Wasn't a huge fan of Alligators - and Witch Spell never did it for me, either.
I know a lot of people rate that book, but for me it didn't match the quality of the other books from the Zebra era.
|
|
|
Post by funkdooby on Jul 12, 2009 21:00:06 GMT
I'm a GNS heretic - not a big fan of the 'crabs' novels. He has written many superior works. Same here. I do love Rampage, but there rest are pretty ordinary, IMHO.
|
|
|
Post by funkdooby on Jul 12, 2009 21:01:24 GMT
Does anyone have a LEAST favourite GNS books? Yes - Accursed. Struggled to read that one. Re-read it years later and struggled even more the second time. Just thought it was a pretty poor novel.
|
|
|
Post by phantomofpulp on Jul 14, 2009 17:50:04 GMT
I always preferred Promite.
It's an interesting question because THE SUCKING PIT, for example, is classic GNS, while WATER RITES isn't.
NIGHT OF THE CRABS is classic GNS, too, as is BLOODSHOW and WEREWOLF BY MOONLIGHT.
I think DEATHBELL is a good choice. Not as "pulpy" as SUCKING PIT, but not as restrained as THE CADAVER, a book I like a lot.
My ultimate choice, though, is MANITOU DOLL.
|
|
|
Post by darrelljoyce on Jul 15, 2009 23:38:39 GMT
Does anyone have a LEAST favourite GNS books? The 'crabs' novels, 'Warhead,' and 'The Slime Beast' spring to mind.
|
|