did it unfortunately protect you from reading C.L. Moore's Jirel of Joiry stories?

I don't think I've even heard of them, so I guess so. It's not that I think the genre is inherently terrible, but the closer you get to pure fantasy the less it interests me for some reason. I did make an exception for Fafhrd & Mouser, though.

Of course, I still have a story you recommended years ago on my to-read list, because I'm that hopeless. Maybe I should start going to the library more often now that I've got free time again.

CL Moore's great--the Jirel of Joiry stories are really excellent, but "Shambleau" totally knocked me out when I read it in college (SF/fantasy feminist lit class).

CL Moore's great--the Jirel of Joiry stories are really excellent, but "Shambleau" totally knocked me out when I read it in college (SF/fantasy feminist lit class).

I sent Teppy a whole collection of CL Moore's Northwest Smith stories.

"Shambleau" is awesome.

I tried Doomsday Book a couple times, but couldn't get into it. Love A Distant Mirror, though. I adore Tuchman.

I've got two books going right now: Einstein's Clocks, Poincare's Maps and Banewreaker. I'm enjoying the first (and amusing my DH by reading to Mallory from it, giving him an early basis in relativity theory), but finding the second to be, well, I think the author's trying too hard.

Another recommendation for C.L. Moore. Also, her husband, Henry Kuttner. And the numerous pen names (Lewis Padgett probably the most-used) that they used for collaborations ("Mimsy Were the Borogoves" probably their best, though it's definitely SF and not fantasy).

And for other not-well-remembered '40s SF, I'd heartily recommend Eric Frank Russell and, believe it or not, L. Ron Hubbard's pre-war work.

CL Moore's great--the Jirel of Joiry stories are really excellent, but "Shambleau" totally knocked me out when I read it in college (SF/fantasy feminist lit class).

I sent Teppy a whole collection of CL Moore's Northwest Smith stories.

Yes, indeed. They were nicely dark.

(Lewis Padgett probably the most-used) that they used for collaborations ("Mimsy Were the Borogoves" probably their best, though it's definitely SF and not fantasy).

Aha! That is also on my to-read list. I don't actually know anything about it, but the title was enough.

You'll never look at Alice in Wonderland the same way again after reading it.

I have the 1969 collection of Moore's Jirel stories rattling around my library somewhere - would you like to borrow it?

You'll never look at Alice in Wonderland the same way again after reading it.

...This isn't a Santa Steps Out thing, is it?

I have the 1969 collection of Moore's Jirel stories rattling around my library somewhere - would you like to borrow it?

Oh, gosh, that's extremely generous of you. Let me see if there's anything at the library first (and actually, I should ask my brother since I may see him this weekend). But if that doesn't pan out I may have to take you up on that. Is there a particular title to look for, or are a lot of the stories scattered about in anthologies?

Actually, if we do a book exchange, I'll have to lend you Hawk the Slayer. [insert evil laughter here]

Anybody here ever read Emile Zola? I am reading a New Yorker article about his feud with Paul Cezanne, and wondering whether Germinal is the only exciting work of his, or whether I should go back and try others.

( Germinal is pretty exciting. It is basically a giant muckraking journalism novel about a miners' strike, except that, because it is not in the New World, there is not a single shred of optimism to be found. However, there are explosions.)