King & Joker back in print!

[vicki]

One of my favorite books--King and Joker by Peter Dickinson--is back in print (http://www.powells.com/biblio/1-9781933397375-0) at long last! Wahooo!! I'm going to buy up copies for Christmas presents. If you haven't tried PD (http://peterdickinson.com/), do give him a whirl. He's quite a literary daredevil--and a hugely thoughtful and intelligent one, at that. LRK is a huge fan of his, btw (see her essay about him here (http://laurierking.com/whateverwriters.php)).

And for those of you in the fantasy fan community who may not be familiar with him, he's also known as Mr. Robin McKinley (http://www.robinmckinley.com/) (and lookee--she's got a new one coming out--Dragonhaven!). :)

[jtb1951]

One of my favorite books--King and Joker by Peter Dickinson--is back in print at long last! Wahooo!! I'm going to buy up copies for Christmas presents. If you haven't tried PD, do give him a whirl. He's quite a literary daredevil--and a hugely thoughtful and intelligent one, at that.

Upon your recommendation, this is one I'm adding to the Pile; it got a good review on Amazon. Any other titles by Dickinson that you've liked?

John.

[Kathryn]

And for those of you in the fantasy fan community who may not be familiar with him, he's also known as Mr. Robin McKinley (http://www.robinmckinley.com/) (and lookee--she's got a new one coming out--Dragonhaven!). :)

WOOHOO! Okay, now that just made my afternoon. <laugh> Looks like I have more books to add to MY TBR list! Thanks for the heads-up! :D

[vicki]

Another McKinley fan, I take it? :D Mr. RMc does great stuff, too.


Any other titles by Dickinson that you've liked?


He's pretty audacious, being willing to try stuff other authors would never presume to tackle. And LRK's essay is dead on--he doesn't follow the rules, so expect surprises. One of my favorites is one he says will probably be his last book for adults--Some Deaths Before Dying, which features a 90yo, paralyzed detective who can barely even speak. I also love The Yellow Room Conspiracy, another sophisticated and complex mystery.

He also does terrific children's books--one that's had a lot of enduring popularity is Eva, a dark tale of a girl whose brain is transplanted into one of her zoologist father's chimpanzees after her body is destroyed in an accident. Dickinson doesn't pull any punches, either--he explores all the implications, which is why it's pretty controversial over here in the States, at least. Tulku is also a complicated and excellent children's book with memorable characters (it won the Carnegie Medal--it's like the UK's Newbery). AK is also a terrific book about the painful realities children face in war. The Seventh Raven is also supposed to be a knock-out--it's on my to-read list.

[jtb1951]

He's pretty audacious, being willing to try stuff other authors would never presume to tackle. And LRK's essay is dead on--he doesn't follow the rules, so expect surprises. One of my favorites is one he says will probably be his last book for adults--Some Deaths Before Dying, which features a 90yo, paralyzed detective who can barely even speak. I also love The Yellow Room Conspiracy, another sophisticated and complex mystery.

Thanks for the suggestions, vicki; he sounds like an author not to be missed!

John.

[vicki]

There are some good synopses and excerpts at his website (http://peterdickinson.com/), in case you want to browse a bit before choosing something to try. Enjoy!