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Piers Anthony

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Deerskin

New Member
I've found that this is often a highly controversial topic. Piers Anthony - a great writer of original work, an average writer of mainly light fantasy or a slightly twisted pervert who's writing borders on pornography (believe me - I've seen him described in this way!)?

Personally, I love his work. Yes, it's repetative but it's light and it's fun. The Xanth books have changed (for better or for worse?) since the series began; the Incarnations of Immortality or the Adept series seem to usually be regarded as his best, though I am not familier with much of his earlier work. Piers Anthony has a style of his own which is easily recognisable to his fans - again, I'm not sure whether this can be regarded as a plus or not, does it get a little 'sameish'? I love the fact that I can settle down with one of his book when I need something really lighthearted - when my brain needs a break! - and get a feeling of familiarity, even when it is a first reading of a new book.

I find him an author with a lively, open mind, who is not afraid to follow his own instincts and deal with some real-life issues of the type that are usually overlooked or ignored in fantasy literature.
Any other opinions?
 
Yup, I agree. He's not considered serious because he doesn't write "real" fantasy. It's funny, it can't be real. In spite of the magic, demons, fantastical settings, etc., he probably hasn't got his due. I have posted here before that some of his books are a little tedious if you read them all one after another--I'd just finished the first eight Xanth novels in a row though. I think perhaps Douglas Adams had this same trouble with Sci Fi but I'd put his writing up against any "real" Sci Fi writer anyday.
 
Prolixic - I don't think I could read eight Xanth novels in a row!
You're right, they can get a little tedious, although I enjoyed them when I was younger and still occasionaly do (in small doses!).
I've seen them perfectly described as 'popcorn for the brain', light and funny and not to be taken too seriously, which is why I was surprised to find some very negative views of them by many readers on internet forums.
 
I've recently read A Spell for Chameleon (I felt I needed a bit of light relief after a particularly gruesome horror story), and if I were to compare it with any particular theatre foodstuff, I would pick peanuts. Theres now a little literary Arachis hypogeae skin stuck in the reading portion of my brain. Do we find out any more about Bink and Chameleon? What happens to Trent now that he is King?

One gripe I do have, however, is Anthony's fixation on the word 'oriented'. He seems to use it once a page, even when it doesn't meet the requirements. Doesn't the guy have a thesaurus?

I picked up Ogre, Ogre and Night Mare at a car boot sale, these are yet to be read, though.
 
I remember reading one of the Xanith books but I forget which. I believe I have two or three books of his in my collection but I have so many to read that I forget what I have sometimes. Yeah I heard about hit writting and I think for any author they have some controversy to them.
 
letterhead - lol - if I ever read a Piers Anthony book again I'll be looking out for the word 'oriented'! IMO, Ogre, Ogre is one of the better Xanth books (along with Castle Roogna, my favourite:))
 
Well, I finished Ogre, Ogre and I am now reading Night Mare. I can honestly say I enjoyed Ogre. I have yet to encounter any of his writing that borders on pornography, at most I would describe it as titillating.

I enjoy his wordplay and puns. It was interesting imagining 'rolling hills' that actually rolled.

I have read a couple of rather disapproving writings on his portrayal of females, mainly that he didn't create strong enough characters. I find this puzzling, this is a fantasy world with centaurs, gorgons, mermaids, dryads and nymphs that he has created. Not real people at all. To be honest, I don't find his male characters that strong, either. I thought Bink was an irritating little twit.

I've recently bought his Split Infinity trilogy, as well as his Tarot threesome. I'm interested to see how they compare with the Xanth books.
 
I was pleased to find this discussion as I am thinking of buying the first book of the Xanth series and I've not read any of this author work before.

So does anyone have any views for me?

rune :)
 
Excellent author, particularly the Xanith series, and highly recommend:

Incarnations of Immortality [Series Title]

On a Pale Horse
Bearing an Hourglass
With a Tangled Skein
Wielding a Red Sword
Being a Green Mother
For Love of Evil
And Eternity

This is the list of books in that series. All very good for that extra twist..... :p
 
Incarnations was really difficult for me to follow--I.e., I'd check them out of a library before I decided to invest in them. My opinions on Xanth haven't changed much. Its sort of the same story recycled over and over...and over and over and over....

But you've got to give him credit for persistance. Well and his readers too.
 
Its funny how many Xanthian puns have become part of my family "culture". We all love it when dad springs for "eye scream" and watch out for " night mares" and the mild mannered "day mares". Gotta love that "Adult Conspiracy" and those "cherry bombs", and of course, the "hypnogourds." Maybe Piers Anthony isn't the greatest writer in the world, we'd never all agree on who gets that honor anyway, but he's entertaining and those puns are sometimes very thought provoking.
 
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