Comments on: Ariel: post-apocalyptic sword-and-sorcery adventure that rocked my world http://boingboing.net/2009/08/25/ariel-post-apocalypt.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Thu, 23 May 2013 13:39:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/08/25/ariel-post-apocalypt.html#comment-614656 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-614656 Interesting I saw Ariel in the book store and I was angry that someone was copying off of Stirling Hah! Though now I know Boyett was before Stirling, and Dickerson fellow was before either. Though like some of the above posters added I am not going to get mad about it, so its been done before, alot. I found Stirling's "Dies in the Fire" and "Emberverse" first and I much prefer it. Though if you have read the latest book things are getting interesting. Perhaps I'll give Ariel a read too. Interesting I saw Ariel in the book store and I was angry that someone was copying off of Stirling Hah! Though now I know Boyett was before Stirling, and Dickerson fellow was before either. Though like some of the above posters added I am not going to get mad about it, so its been done before, alot. I found Stirling’s “Dies in the Fire” and “Emberverse” first and I much prefer it. Though if you have read the latest book things are getting interesting.

Perhaps I’ll give Ariel a read too.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/08/25/ariel-post-apocalypt.html#comment-573187 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-573187 I want to play and/or watch THAT game and/or movie! I want to play and/or watch THAT game and/or movie!

]]> By: toilet http://boingboing.net/2009/08/25/ariel-post-apocalypt.html#comment-573189 toilet Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-573189 Hey BB site admins, just noticed a small problem when browsing by tags. If you select a tag such as BOOK from this post, all is fine and only BOOK entries show up. http://www.boingboing.net/book/ However, at the bottom once you continue reading older posts, you lose the BOOK only criteria, and it appears to show all posts in that archive period. http://www.boingboing.net/book/2009/07/ Thanks! Hey BB site admins, just noticed a small problem when browsing by tags.

If you select a tag such as BOOK from this post, all is fine and only BOOK entries show up.

http://www.boingboing.net/book/

However, at the bottom once you continue reading older posts, you lose the BOOK only criteria, and it appears to show all posts in that archive period.

http://www.boingboing.net/book/2009/07/

Thanks!

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/08/25/ariel-post-apocalypt.html#comment-573190 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-573190 sounds interesting. but the name is quite ridiculous because in my home country there's a washing powder called "Ariel" that claims to wash your clothes cleaner than every other detergent. sounds interesting. but the name is quite ridiculous because in my home country there’s a washing powder called “Ariel” that claims to wash your clothes cleaner than every other detergent.

]]> By: MrWednesday http://boingboing.net/2009/08/25/ariel-post-apocalypt.html#comment-573191 MrWednesday Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-573191 @4 Ariel pre-dates Mr Stirling by 16 years. http://bit.ly/12R5EK @4 Ariel pre-dates Mr Stirling by 16 years.

http://bit.ly/12R5EK

]]> By: Sean Eric FAgan http://boingboing.net/2009/08/25/ariel-post-apocalypt.html#comment-573192 Sean Eric FAgan Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-573192 I pre-ordered it as soon as I saw it, and the sequel, on Amazon. I wonder if I'll find it as depressing as I did when I read it 25 years ago. I pre-ordered it as soon as I saw it, and the sequel, on Amazon.

I wonder if I’ll find it as depressing as I did when I read it 25 years ago.

]]> By: mstonervt http://boingboing.net/2009/08/25/ariel-post-apocalypt.html#comment-591383 mstonervt Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-591383 I'd never heard of Ariel and went right out and bought the eaudiobook from Penguin's website. I had a problem with the download (possibly because I'm running Snow Leopard). Customer service was good about getting back to me when I reported this issue, but I was told that it's a technical problem and it may take 8-10 days for tech service to get back to me. This is "customer service" at Penguin.... I’d never heard of Ariel and went right out and bought the eaudiobook from Penguin’s website. I had a problem with the download (possibly because I’m running Snow Leopard). Customer service was good about getting back to me when I reported this issue, but I was told that it’s a technical problem and it may take 8-10 days for tech service to get back to me. This is “customer service” at Penguin….

]]> By: legotech http://boingboing.net/2009/08/25/ariel-post-apocalypt.html#comment-573207 legotech Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-573207 So THIS is where Ringo got the idea for the Council Wars....ordered...thanks again for increasing my to be read bookcase :) So THIS is where Ringo got the idea for the Council Wars….ordered…thanks again for increasing my to be read bookcase :)

]]> By: hardwarejunkie9 http://boingboing.net/2009/08/25/ariel-post-apocalypt.html#comment-573209 hardwarejunkie9 Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-573209 I haven't read it, but as an SCA greenhorn I'm intrigued by the character. They're really easy to make fun of from a distance, but when you run into an SCA combat competitor they often serve a good reminded of what it means to "get medieval". It makes you glad that the big weapons are rattan. I haven’t read it, but as an SCA greenhorn I’m intrigued by the character.
They’re really easy to make fun of from a distance, but when you run into an SCA combat competitor they often serve a good reminded of what it means to “get medieval”. It makes you glad that the big weapons are rattan.

]]> By: Lodela http://boingboing.net/2009/08/25/ariel-post-apocalypt.html#comment-573210 Lodela Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-573210 The authors mentioned above must have been reading Peter Dickinson's Changes Trilogy, which predates them both (1968-70). I read those as a child and they immediately plugged into my early childhood "backhoe comes alive and comes after me" recurrent nightmare. It's a rich conceit and worth many explorations. The authors mentioned above must have been reading Peter Dickinson’s Changes Trilogy, which predates them both (1968-70). I read those as a child and they immediately plugged into my early childhood “backhoe comes alive and comes after me” recurrent nightmare. It’s a rich conceit and worth many explorations.

]]> By: Will Rogers http://boingboing.net/2009/08/25/ariel-post-apocalypt.html#comment-573215 Will Rogers Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-573215 @8 Yes, I know, Cory's post is very clear about the dates. That was my point. Until seeing this post, I didn't know of the existence of <em>Ariel</em>. Now I'm forced to conclude that Stirling's work is heavily derivative, which disappoints me. So I'd like to know if there's anything else to the story. @8 Yes, I know, Cory’s post is very clear about the dates.

That was my point. Until seeing this post, I didn’t know of the existence of Ariel. Now I’m forced to conclude that Stirling’s work is heavily derivative, which disappoints me. So I’d like to know if there’s anything else to the story.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/08/25/ariel-post-apocalypt.html#comment-574501 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-574501 FRED!! Reissued? Expanded? SEQUEL?? YAHOOOOO!!! I read the original in...1985. Holy cow. FRED!!

Reissued? Expanded? SEQUEL??

YAHOOOOO!!!
I read the original in…1985. Holy cow.

]]> By: angusm http://boingboing.net/2009/08/25/ariel-post-apocalypt.html#comment-573224 angusm Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-573224 @lodela Yes, the description immediately made me think of Peter Dickinson's "Changes" trilogy. ("The Weathermaker", "The Devil's Children" and "Heartsease") The books were beautifully written, and deserves to be better known. If my memory serves, "The Weathermaker" was the only one in which magic is explicitly present. In the other two books, modern technology has simply stopped working, but the reason is not made clear. @lodela

Yes, the description immediately made me think of Peter Dickinson’s “Changes” trilogy. (“The Weathermaker”, “The Devil’s Children” and “Heartsease”) The books were beautifully written, and deserves to be better known. If my memory serves, “The Weathermaker” was the only one in which magic is explicitly present. In the other two books, modern technology has simply stopped working, but the reason is not made clear.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/08/25/ariel-post-apocalypt.html#comment-573230 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-573230 Great book! Many fond memories of this one. I often wondered what happened to Mr. Boyett. I also enjoyed "The Architect of Sleep" which, if I recall, involves an alternate earth where Raccoon-like creatures have evolved intelligence. Great book! Many fond memories of this one. I often wondered what happened to Mr. Boyett. I also enjoyed “The Architect of Sleep” which, if I recall, involves an alternate earth where Raccoon-like creatures have evolved intelligence.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/08/25/ariel-post-apocalypt.html#comment-573234 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-573234 I *loved* Ariel when I was younger, can't tell you how many times I re-read it. The fact that it's been re-released & has a sequel on the way is music to my ears. I *loved* Ariel when I was younger, can’t tell you how many times I re-read it. The fact that it’s been re-released & has a sequel on the way is music to my ears.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/08/25/ariel-post-apocalypt.html#comment-573747 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-573747 There's an audiobook copy of this up on Audible as well, just snagged it for future listening. Thanks for the tip, Cory! There’s an audiobook copy of this up on Audible as well, just snagged it for future listening. Thanks for the tip, Cory!

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/08/25/ariel-post-apocalypt.html#comment-615477 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-615477 I loved this book. Got it in 84, lost it in a move, and found it on amazon *used* a few years back. I have already emailed my mom and mother in law the hint for my birthday and christmas....i can't wait to read elegy beach! means i'll have to pull out Ariel and start reading it again. YAY! I loved this book. Got it in 84, lost it in a move, and found it on amazon *used* a few years back.

I have already emailed my mom and mother in law the hint for my birthday and christmas….i can’t wait to read elegy beach! means i’ll have to pull out Ariel and start reading it again.

YAY!

]]> By: DWittSF http://boingboing.net/2009/08/25/ariel-post-apocalypt.html#comment-573237 DWittSF Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-573237 It reminds me of a literary version of Thundarr the Barbarian. It reminds me of a literary version of Thundarr the Barbarian.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/08/25/ariel-post-apocalypt.html#comment-573238 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-573238 Is this "I dub thee, 'Fred'"? That was a great book. Awesome good news, indeed! Thanks. Is this “I dub thee, ‘Fred’”?

That was a great book. Awesome good news, indeed! Thanks.

]]> By: MelancholyBaby http://boingboing.net/2009/08/25/ariel-post-apocalypt.html#comment-573246 MelancholyBaby Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-573246 I'm not familiar with Ariel, read The Architect of Sleep years ago and loved it, and I've marched through all the Stirling 'Change' books that have come out so far; I've also read his earlier 'Island in the Sea of Time' series. I'm wondering, how is 'derivative' being defined, since it's being used here in a negative fashion? Is anyone who explores the theme of people dealing with the sudden collapse of technology 'derivative' of whoever wrote about it first? Flat-out plagiarizing is one thing, but if just using similar situations and themes to some earlier writer is a crime, you'd have to lock up most of the authors out there ... I’m not familiar with Ariel, read The Architect of Sleep years ago and loved it, and I’ve marched through all the Stirling ‘Change’ books that have come out so far; I’ve also read his earlier ‘Island in the Sea of Time’ series. I’m wondering, how is ‘derivative’ being defined, since it’s being used here in a negative fashion? Is anyone who explores the theme of people dealing with the sudden collapse of technology ‘derivative’ of whoever wrote about it first? Flat-out plagiarizing is one thing, but if just using similar situations and themes to some earlier writer is a crime, you’d have to lock up most of the authors out there …

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/08/25/ariel-post-apocalypt.html#comment-576582 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-576582 I remember buying this in 1983 when in high school, and going through it in one setting. I just finished reading my fist edition again today, and now I hear of the book's re-issue, with expanded info-what an unexpected treat! I always liked how it was sprinkled with those literary and cultural references. At the time, it was a huge hit among everyone in <a href="http://www.amtgardinc.com/"> Amtguard </a>. Time to read it again! I remember buying this in 1983 when in high school, and going through it in one setting. I just finished reading my fist edition again today, and now I hear of the book’s re-issue, with expanded info-what an unexpected treat!

I always liked how it was sprinkled with those literary and cultural references. At the time, it was a huge hit among everyone in Amtguard .

Time to read it again!

]]> By: Tetsubo http://boingboing.net/2009/08/25/ariel-post-apocalypt.html#comment-573527 Tetsubo Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-573527 I read this book when it came out in 1983. I loved it and parts of it have stuck with me to this day. This is the book Stirling *wanted* to write but he lacked the balls to just come out and say the Dies the Fire universe was MAGIC. So instead, you get this really stupid universe that makes zero sense and is full of absurdity. I like the fact that Ariel never tries to explain why the Change happened. It just deals with it. I read this book when it came out in 1983. I loved it and parts of it have stuck with me to this day.

This is the book Stirling *wanted* to write but he lacked the balls to just come out and say the Dies the Fire universe was MAGIC. So instead, you get this really stupid universe that makes zero sense and is full of absurdity.

I like the fact that Ariel never tries to explain why the Change happened. It just deals with it.

]]> By: JLH http://boingboing.net/2009/08/25/ariel-post-apocalypt.html#comment-573530 JLH Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-573530 The line about "technology stops" reminded me of the Dickinson books, too. The BBC did a pretty decent and very bleak children's series based upon them in the mid-seventies called "The Changes." I remember Paddy Kingsland's electronic clanging and roars over shots of electricity pylons -- monsters of the id that the now technophobic population are too terrified to approach, never mind destroy. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Changes_%28TV_series%29 "Ariel" looks intriguing; onto the Amazon list it goes. The line about “technology stops” reminded me of the Dickinson books, too. The BBC did a pretty decent and very bleak children’s series based upon them in the mid-seventies called “The Changes.” I remember Paddy Kingsland’s electronic clanging and roars over shots of electricity pylons — monsters of the id that the now technophobic population are too terrified to approach, never mind destroy.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Changes_%28TV_series%29

“Ariel” looks intriguing; onto the Amazon list it goes.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/08/25/ariel-post-apocalypt.html#comment-876893 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-876893 Thats not the world trade center, thats the empire state building Thats not the world trade center, thats the empire state building

]]> By: Will Rogers http://boingboing.net/2009/08/25/ariel-post-apocalypt.html#comment-573285 Will Rogers Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-573285 Oh, I agree, there's nothing wrong with being inspired by others' work and writing something similar-but-different. I was just struck by the degree to which Cory's write-up of <em>Ariel</em> could stand in for a write-up of Stirling's books -- take out the unicorn and you're pretty much there. Oh, I agree, there’s nothing wrong with being inspired by others’ work and writing something similar-but-different. I was just struck by the degree to which Cory’s write-up of Ariel could stand in for a write-up of Stirling’s books — take out the unicorn and you’re pretty much there.

]]> By: cinemajay http://boingboing.net/2009/08/25/ariel-post-apocalypt.html#comment-573286 cinemajay Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-573286 Looks cool. I added it to my Amazon wish list! Looks cool. I added it to my Amazon wish list!

]]> By: cinemajay http://boingboing.net/2009/08/25/ariel-post-apocalypt.html#comment-573287 cinemajay Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-573287 @18/DWittSF, You had me at Thundarr! @18/DWittSF,

You had me at Thundarr!

]]> By: Chang http://boingboing.net/2009/08/25/ariel-post-apocalypt.html#comment-573288 Chang Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-573288 Elizabeth Bear was telling me about this last week. Now it get namechecked by Cory, too?! Then I gotta get it! Elizabeth Bear was telling me about this last week. Now it get namechecked by Cory, too?! Then I gotta get it!

]]> By: snakedart http://boingboing.net/2009/08/25/ariel-post-apocalypt.html#comment-573292 snakedart Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-573292 So it's Stirling's Dies the Fire WITH magic and WITHOUT the annoying fundamentalist Wiccans. I'm down with that. So it’s Stirling’s Dies the Fire WITH magic and WITHOUT the annoying fundamentalist Wiccans.

I’m down with that.

]]> By: Will Rogers http://boingboing.net/2009/08/25/ariel-post-apocalypt.html#comment-573312 Will Rogers Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-573312 Well, Snakedart, that does sound appealing. I'll have to read this one I guess :) Well, Snakedart, that does sound appealing. I’ll have to read this one I guess :)

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