Science Fiction for the Jane Austen Fan

[sylvanb]

Here is a classic story: in the late '80's, science fiction writers Sharon Lee and Steve Miller created a wonderful new world, the Liaden Universe. Their first three books came out in paperback, delighted their readers, and appeared to vanish. They kept struggling, and in time were stunned to discover that a substantial cult had developed around the (now falling apart) Liad books. A website and mailing list provided focus, they found a new publiisher, and their new book, I Dare, has been hovering in the 40's on Amazon's best-seller list.

I haven't read I Dare yet; I'm just finishing last year's release, Pilot's Choice. This is a two-novella volume which focuses more on the characters, relationships, and conflicts of values and mores than on action and technology as in some earlier books.

There's something for everyone in the Liaden books. I have little interest in the science side of science fiction, but I love the slightly (or very) off-center characters they've created, and the clash of cultures, Terran and Liaden, provides ample suspense to make these books genuine page-turners. My husband, on the other hand, wants credible science and interesting technology, and Lee & Miller keep him happy too. Someone looking for shoot-em-up action and cliff-hangers will find Plan B and Agent of Change entirely satisfying.

Anyone else out there a fan of Lee & Miller? I'd love to hear your reactions.

Check 'em out at:

Liad Website

It looks like they've been too busy getting the new books out to tinker with the website; it's a little out of date, but full of useful information.

[theeye]

Jane Austen and sci fi (or "skiffy" as my hubby calls it)? Sounds too good to be true. I'll have to check these out.

[sylvanb]

Yeah, whodathunkit? See, the Liadans have this complex and restrictive code of conduct, and the conflicts develop between society's demands and the loves and aspirations of individuals, especially when they come into contact with Terrans.

It gets almost overt in Pilot's Choice, which has some sly references to Austen's work.

Doesn't this sound like Austen? --

"[He] had never met Ran Eld's sisters, though it had been his policy from the first to find them delightful."

There are others, but this is the first I thought to dogear.

[quasar]

I will have to check out this series.

Eye, if you like this sort of thing, you might try Connie Willis' To Say Nothing of the Dog. I was disappointed in it, but mainly from a science/credibility standpoint and with some of the foreshadowing. It was an enjoyable read, although not (in my opinion) the masterpiece many claim it to be.

Anyway, much of the book is set in Victorian England and it definitely has an Austenesque feel in places.

Janice

[theeye]

Originally posted by sylvanb
"[He] had never met Ran Eld's sisters, though it had been his policy from the first to find them delightful."

Ok, sold!

[Cldplay]

These books sound like loads o' fun, and I'll have to pick one or more of them up from the library or Amazon. ;-) I understand there's a series of Jane Austen Mysteries out there as well -- does anyone have any views on them?

[theeye]

Originally posted by quasar
I will have to check out this series.

Eye, if you like this sort of thing, you might try Connie Willis' To Say Nothing of the Dog. I was disappointed in it, but mainly from a science/credibility standpoint and with some of the foreshadowing. It was an enjoyable read, although not (in my opinion) the masterpiece many claim it to be.

Anyway, much of the book is set in Victorian England and it definitely has an Austenesque feel in places.

Janice

You won't believe this but To Say Nothing of the Dog is sitting on my nightstand near the top of a rather large stack of books. (And has been there for an embarrassingly long time.)

[sylvanb]

Erm, I don't want anyone to think that they are going to find something in JA's league. This isn't fine literature. But it is intelligent, and fun, and won't insult the discerning reader.

[Redlass]

For that matter, there's a wonderful series of Jane Austen mysteries with Jane Austen as the protagonist. Now, if only I could remember the titles and authors (I'll be back with them in a bit, I know I wrote a review on a few of them, that should perk my memory. Was it Barron? *sigh* I hate losing my mind...)

[Grouch]

Correctamundo, Redlass, Stephanie Barron is the author.
Here's the Amazon page to the series

[Redlass]

Thank you!
I thought the first book in the series was a little slow, but the next two are wonderful. I haven't read the three after that yet, but only because my husband snatched them when I was in the middle of reading them and now I can't find them.

[quasar]

I recently read the Liaden books - all of them (I am completely incapable of reading just one book in a series). I found them very uneven. I really enjoyed two of them and found the rest very ho-hum and forgettable. Unfortunately I read my favorite first so I ended up more disappointed in the rest than I perhaps would have been had I read them in a different order.

Janice

[ms_n]

quasar said

I recently read the Liaden books - all of them (I am completely incapable of reading just one book in a series). I found them very uneven. I really enjoyed two of them and found the rest very ho-hum and forgettable. Unfortunately I read my favorite first so I ended up more disappointed in the rest than I perhaps would have been had I read them in a different order.

Janice

Which title was your favorite?

[quasar]

Oops, I meant to mention that. Conflict of Honors (Priscilla and Shan's story) was my favorite. It held my attention, felt original and intriguing. It left me wanting to know more about the characters and the universe. The other book I enjoyed was Local Custom, the story of Shan's parents Anne and Er Thom. I didn't care for any of the books that focused on Line yos'Phelium.

Janice

[ms_n]

Thanks. Sounds good!