Caius Crispus, known as Crispin, is a mosaicist, mourning his family after their deaths in a recent outbreak of plague. His friend and mentor, Martinian, has been summoned to the city of Sarantium to work on a project for Emperor Valerius. He does not want to go and sends Crispin in his place. But Crispin … Continue reading A Series Ian Likes: The Sarantine Mosaic by Guy Gavriel Kay
Author: stuffianlikes
I read a lot and blog about some of it. I also talk about some other things that I enjoy.
A Novel Ian likes: Dreamsnake by Vonda N. McIntyre
Snake is a healer in a post-apocalyptic landscape. She travels with a small amount of vital equipment but most of her healing is done with the aid of three genetically-engineered snakes; two - a cobra and a rattlesnake – are of earthly origin but the third, Grass, is an alien creature about which little is … Continue reading A Novel Ian likes: Dreamsnake by Vonda N. McIntyre
A Novel Ian Likes: Legend by David Gemmell
The Nadir are on the rise. The fractious northern tribes have been united under one ruler – Ulric – and he is marching them south, conquering every country in his path. Only the fortress of Dros Delnoch stands between him and the Drenai nation. It’s undermanned, poorly maintained and run by a dying duke and … Continue reading A Novel Ian Likes: Legend by David Gemmell
A Novel Ian Likes: Bug Jack Barron by Norman Spinrad
Jack Barron hosts a phone-in talk show. He’s one of the hottest stars on television. But his personal life is a mess; his marriage has collapsed, he doesn’t appear to have any kind of goal or aim that he wants to achieve, and all he worries about are his ratings. But one night someone rings … Continue reading A Novel Ian Likes: Bug Jack Barron by Norman Spinrad
A Cultural Phenomenon Ian Likes: The Commitments
Jimmy Rabbitte wants to start a band. He doesn’t want to sing or anything: he wants to create and manage one. But he lives in the backblocks of Dublin. How is he going to manage that? All he has is his knowledge of music, a glib tongue, and two friends, Outspan and Dean, who want … Continue reading A Cultural Phenomenon Ian Likes: The Commitments
A Novel Ian Likes: It’s Like This, Cat by Emily Neville
Dave Mitchell lives in New York with his parents. He doesn’t think they “get” him or the important things in his world. He also lives with Cat, a stray “given” to him by Kate, the neighbourhood cat lady. Through Cat, Dave gets introduced to a wider world and develops a better understanding of those around … Continue reading A Novel Ian Likes: It’s Like This, Cat by Emily Neville
A Novel Ian Likes: Prodigal Summer by Barbara Kingsolver
Deanna is a biologist, living a solitary life doing research in a forest. Recently married and more-recently widowed Lusa finds herself managing a farm and dealing with unfriendly in-laws. Nannie and Garnett are neighbours and find that their beliefs are perfectly disposed to antagonise each other. Barbara Kingsolver is a bona fide phenomenon. She has … Continue reading A Novel Ian Likes: Prodigal Summer by Barbara Kingsolver
A Novel Ian Likes: A Case Of Conscience by James Blish
An exploration team on the planet Lithia has discovered a world full of valuable resources but which is also inhabited by a race of intelligent creatures who have a rich, vibrant culture but no concept of God or of Sin. It doesn’t bother three members of the team overly much but the fourth, a Jesuit priest, … Continue reading A Novel Ian Likes: A Case Of Conscience by James Blish
A Novel Ian Likes: The Kraken Wakes by John Wyndham
Mike and Phyllis Watson are journalists who are covering a series of unexplained phenomena. Beginning as a lethal curiosity, a series of unexplained catastrophes are wreaking havoc on the world’s sea lanes and coastal communities and – eventually – on the polar icecaps. Finding themselves increasingly isolated and at risk, they eventually become part of … Continue reading A Novel Ian Likes: The Kraken Wakes by John Wyndham
A Novel Ian Likes: Empty World by John Christopher
Neil Miller has lost his family in a car accident. He goes to live with his grandparents and begins at a new school. Still in a state of shock, he barely notices the news about a plague beginning in India, one that directly attacks the body at its most vulnerable point and ages its victims … Continue reading A Novel Ian Likes: Empty World by John Christopher
Stuff Ian Likes 