Wolfe’s Favorite Books
Wolfe wrote back:
* = I probably have a copy I could loan
Sci-Fi:
_Ender’s Game_: *
One of the classicly great books. Read it.
_Midworld_: *
Somehow enthralling look at generational survival and
adaptation on an alien world. Easy read.
_Orion_:
Easy read about time travel and one tool-of-a-man’s fight
against evil
Fantasy:
Song of fire & ice series (_storm of swords_, _clash of kings_ ,etc):*
Dark, addictive, epic world of politics, war, perversions, alliances,
and amazing characters. It gets better as the series progresses.
Black Company series: *
A series of stories about a band of nearly amoral cutthroat
mercenaries. The first book is great; the first three are
darn fine. Then it slides a bit.
The Blue Adept series: *
A very guilty pleasure. Magic, sci-fi, unicorns, and
bodacious willing babes abound. The mental equivalent of
cotton candy. That said, it’s an interesting setting
and fun reading.
Graphic novels:
The Sandman series: *
Ten darkly and fantasticly wrought graphic novels centered
around the king of dreams. Unquestionably the greatest
graphic novel series ever created. Alternately grotesque,
thought provoking, amazing, humorous, and, overall, just neat
story telling.
_The Dark Knight Returns_ *
Batman at 55. Dark, involving, and fun.
Short stories:
Selected Robert Sheckley *
My father used to read these to me as bedtime stories. The
man has a knack for a great twisted ending.
_A Song for Lya_ *
A selection of Zelazny stories. He has many great
collections, but this has to be my favorite.
Humor:
Any Patrick McManus, esp. _Real Ponies Don’t Go Oink_: *
The best outdoor comedy writer ever. A great selection of
short stories. I haven’t read a book of his I didn’t like.
Then later he wrote:
Add “Surely you’re joking Mr. Feynman!” to my list. Best
autobiography.
–Wolfe
