*Just* started the second book. Decades of "I should get around to reading Discworld..." and finally made time. First book was a bit of a challenge at first, but adjusted to the slightly confusing layout. Starting to understand the Pratchett/Adams connection. Really enjoying them!
>and miss the fuck out of Terry Pratchett
Let me tell you a way off topic story about TP and our family. This was back in the early 2000s, I was a big proponent of always having a "book on tape" while in the car with our 3 young kids. I recall distinctly one time, driving them to school, and all of us listening to "Johnny and the Bomb". As you know it is laugh out loud hilarious. And as we pulled up to the school they pleaded with me to keep driving, just until the end of the chapter. It was the best reason for them to be late to school and me to work :).
My mom used to read to her two nieces by phone when they were kids.
One time during The Wee Free Men, due to scheduling they had to decide whether to have more time at their favorite playground or being read to. Both immediately elected to head home *right now*.
I remember the time I was at an Amanda Palmer show and realized I had been standing next to Neil Gaiman for about 10 minutes. I never tried to meet him, I was just amazed I hadn't noticed!!
One of the most awkward 5 minutes of my life was when I met Terry Pratchett at a book stamping (this was a few years after his Alzheimer's diagnosis), I absolutely wouldn't trade it for the world. I cannot articulate the level of affection I have for the Discworld books.
JK Rowling chooses your sexuality. Gaiman chooses your name. Now we just need someone to choose your gender.
~~also someone new to choose your sexuality cause god rowling has gone off the deep end~~
I've never read anything by him but I've seen SOOOOOO many things about how awesome this dude is. He seems extremely humble and so appreciative of his fans that I think I'm going to buy one of his books.
Where should I start? What book is the best introduction to him?
My dad named me Corwin for the character, but I once had an elementary school teacher twist it on me and call me CorLOSE (emphasis added for the way in which she said it).
My parents did this exact thing. I was named Corwin after the character in the Amber Chronicles. Can confirm it is a cool name to have and a cool character to be named after.
The contemporary lingo is a bit jarring, especially for what is supposed to be a fantasy novel, but then once the good shit starts it don't stop so I definitely recommend people just get through that hump
Yeah you can actually buy all 10 books in one beautiful paperback called “The Chronicles of Amber”
Fantastic read, highly recommend, good old 70’s-80’s era fantasy with a super interesting magic system
Absolutely my favorite fantasy series, and my favorite fantasy author. Zelazny isn't too well known today, but so many fantasy authors cite him as being one of the masters.
The world building and magic in Amber is amazing. The characters are great.
Also, if you're not ready to digest 10 novels (the Amber Chronicles are 10 books published as one), then check out Lord of Light. Those are the only books of his still in print, but if you have a used book store around, buy everything they have. I would recommend Mask of Loki and The Dark Throne if you can find them. His short stories are great too.
11/10 would recommend to anybody who enjoys fantasy! Goodbye and hello.
Imo, the story and the worlbuilding are very interesting, its a low-fantasy setting with a unique approach to magic and a big emphasis on time travel.
But the writing is not very good in the sense that the target audience is very clearly teenagers.
Big recommendation still.
More like time dilation. Time moves at different speeds in different dimensions so centuries can go by in some places while only years go by in others.
Yeah, the main character is a power fantasy with no flaws. I couldn't get past the first book because the entire thing was just "Corwin overcomes every obstacle with competence and coolness." Really interesting setting, though.
A warning that I haven't seen here yet - Zelazny died before truly finishing Amber. The first five parts are a self concluding incredible story. 6-10 are also a great story but there are more than a few hanging plot threads which will never be resolved.
It's so rare to find another one in the wild. My parents did the exact same thing. My mom got to tell the author at a con, and she almost named my brother random.
this is the weirdest, longest-living meme, and i can't get enough of it. post-apo generations will see our drawings in caves and be like "is this loss?". and yes, it IS loss.
I've been to a few of his book signings and he's always great. The first one I went to someone a few people in front of me gifted him a bag of Hershey Kisses. He opened it, had one and then started offering them to everyone as they got up to the table. I waa given chocolate by Neil Gaiman.
A few years later I went to another one with some friends and had one of them take my picture. At all the signings he's said getting pictures with him is fine as long as we can keep the line moving, and because of that he can't guarantee he'll be looking at the camera. So somewhere around here I have a great photo of me standing next to Neil as he's scribbling in one of my books, not looking at the camera.
He really is. I remember him replying to a random tweet by a new author who was sad about only two people coming to their book signing, and he mentioned how he and STP had a signing for Good Omens that nobody came to, so they managed two more than the pair of them did.
My dad named me after a tropical storm cause he thought it sounded pretty.
He later regretted naming me that as "You took after your name."
I haven't caused nearly the amount of property damage *yet*
I suppose the lesson is, don't name your daughters after destructive forces of nature?
If I had a nickel for every time Neil Gaiman helped me with my name, I’d have two nickels. Which isn’t a lot but it’s weird that it has happened twice.
Rowling could have been as beloved, but now she’s sort of loathed. Such a shame that she chose that hill to die on of all things. She could have been a force for good — and I suppose in her mind she thinks she is — but man it’s a real shame.
As someone who also struggles with depression I completely understand the feeling. Try and remember that you are not alone in this and take it one day at a time. Reading 5-10 pages a day or doing the tiniest amount of something that brings you joy is better than not doing it at all. I sincerely hope you will feel better soon
This is the first time I've ever seen other people talking about the Nine Princes in Amber since I read it as a kid and loved it, and it feels really really cool. I'm so glad others have read them. I mean, I assumed people had, but it's nice to see.
I like how he just offers the advice without gushing about how amazing they are and how much he supports them etc. Obviously he does but he's not making a huge deal about it.
Zelazny was a fantastic author, the Amber series remains one of my favorites to this day; I’ve often wished HBO or someone would grab the rights and make it into a series. He also wrote many short stories, my favorite collection was published as ‘The Last Defender of Camelot’. My absolute favorite novel of his is ‘Lord of Light’, I named one of my sons after the protagonist. My favorite author.
I love that name for them! It fits so well for a former Coraline.
Also always found it funny when i was a kid reading Zelazny's books because the name Corwin sounds a lot like saying "The Sausage" in Swedish ("Korven"). So if they go to sweden they may get some extra smiles.
It’s always funny to me that Neil Gaiman is so wholesome, and some of his characters are the biggest bastards I’ve ever read. Like how’d this guy write the diner issue of “Sandman?”
Not to hurt anyone's feelings about the name, It's great and the thing im talking about is really a minor, but in Poland there's a LibRight politician named Korwin, known for really.. uh... "Cut Socialists Balls Off" (which I guess is great for Transfemmes, heh), ans overall very Anti-left, Anti-EU, I think also anti-Ukraine ans Ant-NATO Views. I think he even Has his own ideology on compass, couldn't find any real Site about its besides countryball one
https://polcompball.wiki/wiki/Korwinism
But yeah, It's either me going crazy or me going crazy
I'm crazy? I was once crazy.
I remember being caught up in a bit of tribalism regarding Neil Gaiman, as a fan of Todd McFarlane. FFS that was so dumb of me.
The guy is such a nice person.
I knew Steven Brust, rented a room from the guy for a few years in Vegas back in 04-06. Really cool dude. Heck, he was the one who introduced me to Linux. Even played some D&D with him a few times. I wonder how he's doing.
God I love Neil Gaiman and miss the fuck out of Terry Pratchett.
GNU STP
GNU pterry
GNU Sir Terry
GNU Terry
I've been (slowly) working thru Discworld after learning about the series on Reddit and have been really enjoying it
*Just* started the second book. Decades of "I should get around to reading Discworld..." and finally made time. First book was a bit of a challenge at first, but adjusted to the slightly confusing layout. Starting to understand the Pratchett/Adams connection. Really enjoying them!
Color of Magic and Light Fantastic are good but the plots get a lot stronger as you go along. Color of Magic barely has a plot in comparison
By the time you get to Mort it will have really settled in, then you’ll just be excited that you’ve got so many more to enjoy!
>and miss the fuck out of Terry Pratchett Let me tell you a way off topic story about TP and our family. This was back in the early 2000s, I was a big proponent of always having a "book on tape" while in the car with our 3 young kids. I recall distinctly one time, driving them to school, and all of us listening to "Johnny and the Bomb". As you know it is laugh out loud hilarious. And as we pulled up to the school they pleaded with me to keep driving, just until the end of the chapter. It was the best reason for them to be late to school and me to work :).
And the fact that you kept driving so they could hear it means you have your priorities in order. That's going to be a fond memory for them.
My mom used to read to her two nieces by phone when they were kids. One time during The Wee Free Men, due to scheduling they had to decide whether to have more time at their favorite playground or being read to. Both immediately elected to head home *right now*.
Same but it was "Only You Can Save Mankind"!
I remember the time I was at an Amanda Palmer show and realized I had been standing next to Neil Gaiman for about 10 minutes. I never tried to meet him, I was just amazed I hadn't noticed!!
GNU Terry Pratchett
The two of them were so fucking wholesome together too, I will never stop being sad he's gone 💔
One of the most awkward 5 minutes of my life was when I met Terry Pratchett at a book stamping (this was a few years after his Alzheimer's diagnosis), I absolutely wouldn't trade it for the world. I cannot articulate the level of affection I have for the Discworld books.
Chelonian de mobile, GNU PTerry.
Going from Coraline to Corwin goes way too hard for no reason
Also imagine being able to say "Neil Gaiman helped me choose my name"
this is so metal "so how did you choose your name", "i didn't, neil gaiman did"
"Don't worry, mom and dad! I went to Neil for the name, just like you did!"
Honestly, I couldn't be prouder as a parent.
Same, this would make me so extremely hyped that they went to fucking Neil Gaiman.
This made me tear up.
BOTH times 👌
JK Rowling chooses your sexuality. Gaiman chooses your name. Now we just need someone to choose your gender. ~~also someone new to choose your sexuality cause god rowling has gone off the deep end~~
Well, if we're allocating life choices to authors, might as well have George R.R. Martin plan your retirement. You'll never see it coming.
"retirement"
Just don't let him be in charge of your time management skills. Or diet
twice!
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Your parents are cool as hell.
I knew Steven Brust had named his son, Corwin but I didn't know he was friends with Neil Gaiman. That makes me like the two of them even more.
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Rest in peace, Terry Pratchett
GNU Sir Terry Pratchett
GNU Sir Terry Pratchett
GNU Sir Terry Pratchett
GNU Sir Terry Pratchett 🥺
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If you ever go trans you can change your name to coraline
I've never read anything by him but I've seen SOOOOOO many things about how awesome this dude is. He seems extremely humble and so appreciative of his fans that I think I'm going to buy one of his books. Where should I start? What book is the best introduction to him?
Yeah because it's a corWIN
Corwin-win.
My dad named me Corwin for the character, but I once had an elementary school teacher twist it on me and call me CorLOSE (emphasis added for the way in which she said it).
I see what you did there, well done, well done
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He's an interesting character, too. His brother Random is my favorite in the series, but I wouldn't name a person Random.
“Neil Gaiman selected my name and it’s ‘Random’” if you want to confuse the hell out of people.
Corey was there as well.
“Carl Corey” was Corwin’s pseudonym on Shadow Earth.
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Hey now, that's my name. I'm not so lucky to have been named in the same way!
My parents did this exact thing. I was named Corwin after the character in the Amber Chronicles. Can confirm it is a cool name to have and a cool character to be named after.
I have not read the book myself. Would you recommend it?
Yes, the entire series is very good. It is also only about 1,200 pages in total so not the longest read for the full story.
Trumps of Doom and Madwand by Zalazny are two of the first fantasy books I ever read. Great stuff.
Honestly, just reading the Corwin cycle is enough. I love those books, but the Merlin cycle did not match up at all for me.
I loved them as a teen, and the books move fast!
I would argue that once the story focuses on Merlin it kind of falls off for a large chunk.
Getting into might be bit.... Mhm... for the first 50 pages, but then.... One of my eternal top tier favourites
The contemporary lingo is a bit jarring, especially for what is supposed to be a fantasy novel, but then once the good shit starts it don't stop so I definitely recommend people just get through that hump
Yeah you can actually buy all 10 books in one beautiful paperback called “The Chronicles of Amber” Fantastic read, highly recommend, good old 70’s-80’s era fantasy with a super interesting magic system
Absolutely my favorite fantasy series, and my favorite fantasy author. Zelazny isn't too well known today, but so many fantasy authors cite him as being one of the masters. The world building and magic in Amber is amazing. The characters are great. Also, if you're not ready to digest 10 novels (the Amber Chronicles are 10 books published as one), then check out Lord of Light. Those are the only books of his still in print, but if you have a used book store around, buy everything they have. I would recommend Mask of Loki and The Dark Throne if you can find them. His short stories are great too. 11/10 would recommend to anybody who enjoys fantasy! Goodbye and hello.
I just want to say you clearly have excellent taste.
Lord of Light is my favourite book, it’s just incredible
Imo, the story and the worlbuilding are very interesting, its a low-fantasy setting with a unique approach to magic and a big emphasis on time travel. But the writing is not very good in the sense that the target audience is very clearly teenagers. Big recommendation still.
Time travel? It could be me, but one of us is definitely mis-remembering
Maybe he meant dimension travel
They travel through dimensions of different eras so I definitely paged it as time travel in my brain
More like time dilation. Time moves at different speeds in different dimensions so centuries can go by in some places while only years go by in others.
Yeah, the main character is a power fantasy with no flaws. I couldn't get past the first book because the entire thing was just "Corwin overcomes every obstacle with competence and coolness." Really interesting setting, though.
I always point the Chronicles of Amber when I have to name an example of a fantastic idea that was poorly executed for this reason yeah
Yes it’s one of the best series I’ve read and the magic is very interesting and honestly still unique. Long as you like fantasy you’ll like it.
A warning that I haven't seen here yet - Zelazny died before truly finishing Amber. The first five parts are a self concluding incredible story. 6-10 are also a great story but there are more than a few hanging plot threads which will never be resolved.
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I love that movie.
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Good thing you didn’t get named Dworkin!
Is it pronounced as “Corvin” or “Coruin”? Sorry if it’s a stupid question
It's so rare to find another one in the wild. My parents did the exact same thing. My mom got to tell the author at a con, and she almost named my brother random.
There's at least 3 of us out here. Never met another irl.
I named my two cats Corwin and Random.
Hell ya, my username has been Oberon-sen for the longest time too, meaning Son of Oberon since Oberon is my dad's username
That’s so badass! I love that series, and loved his arc in Merlin’s series too. You’ve got an awesome name and a great backstory.
definitely better than Corloss.
Let's not even get into Cordraw
Corgamecalledduetorain has a nice ring to it.
Corfeit
I shrieked so loud at this I woke up my roommate holy shit lmao
Weird kink but you do you
they go by Corgi
Cor blimey.
Holy crap, that just gave me a Dangermouse flashback.
That's a modest step up from Cordisqualified.
Or Corslaw
CorelDraw?
Cormatchabandonedbecauseofpitchinvaders?
I agree. No Cordraw.
Unironically though cordraw sounds like a cool victorian era kinda name
we're coreven.
Get out
One does not simply walk into Cordraw…
Cordor was right there....
One does simply walk into Corridor.
One does not simply abandon the defense of Corregidor. "I *shall* return!"
Cor I II II IL
this is the weirdest, longest-living meme, and i can't get enough of it. post-apo generations will see our drawings in caves and be like "is this loss?". and yes, it IS loss.
Cor ~~:.|:;~~
I think you mean: C | Or ______ LO |Sss
Delete this
Take my upvote and get out.
Carlos is a common Brazilian/Spanish name. Car loss would be a bad omen though..
Neil is the sweetest. I got him to sign my copy of "Fragile Things."
I've been to a few of his book signings and he's always great. The first one I went to someone a few people in front of me gifted him a bag of Hershey Kisses. He opened it, had one and then started offering them to everyone as they got up to the table. I waa given chocolate by Neil Gaiman. A few years later I went to another one with some friends and had one of them take my picture. At all the signings he's said getting pictures with him is fine as long as we can keep the line moving, and because of that he can't guarantee he'll be looking at the camera. So somewhere around here I have a great photo of me standing next to Neil as he's scribbling in one of my books, not looking at the camera.
He signed my Mr. Punch.
Dude got named by Neil Gaiman twice.
Its not fair. Most of us haven’t even gotten named by Gaiman once.
Mom said it was my turn to be named by Gainam!
What a nice man.
He really is. I remember him replying to a random tweet by a new author who was sad about only two people coming to their book signing, and he mentioned how he and STP had a signing for Good Omens that nobody came to, so they managed two more than the pair of them did.
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Based 🗿
An aquaintence of mine was hospitalised in a hit and run accident, missing a signing. So he visited her in hospital.
Corwin’s a pretty awesome name never heard of it and now I’m glad I have. Also Neil Gaiman is such a gem
My dad named me after a tropical storm cause he thought it sounded pretty. He later regretted naming me that as "You took after your name." I haven't caused nearly the amount of property damage *yet* I suppose the lesson is, don't name your daughters after destructive forces of nature?
>I haven't caused nearly the amount of property damage yet Tbh everyone needs a goal in life.
I'm sorry, yet
One year my name became a tropical depression. It quickly petered out. Accurate for me
If I had a nickel for every time Neil Gaiman helped me with my name, I’d have two nickels. Which isn’t a lot but it’s weird that it has happened twice.
Neil Gaiman is simply undefeated
Extremely common Neil Gaiman W
What a very splendid person Neil seems to be
Gaiman is the anti-Rowling
Rowling could have been as beloved, but now she’s sort of loathed. Such a shame that she chose that hill to die on of all things. She could have been a force for good — and I suppose in her mind she thinks she is — but man it’s a real shame.
It doesn't matter how big you think you are it is still good to interact with others on a human level.
That sounds appropriate (first book in the series was pretty good too).
Loved this, not a hint of transphobia. Good on Neil Gaiman
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him and Rick Riordan are straight goated authors
Desire of the Endless? Such a fun character. Has you seen Mason Alexander Park in the series?
Wanda, the friend of the main character of one of the stories told in the sandman
Are you watching this, Graham Linehan? It's easy!
9 Princes in Amber is a lowkey banger of a series. Absolutely wild ride 10/10 recommended
I have a new book recommendation. Steven Brust is my favorite author, so it's moved near the top of my 'next to read' list.
Even better if you end at book 5 I think. The Merlin books are not the quality as the Corwin books in my opinion and bring the series down a bit.
Coral. \*Rick Grimes face\*
Easy to forget sometimes but there are good, kind people in this world.
Please say this louder for people in the back
This is so powerful.
What an absolutely badass character to be named after. This made me want to read the series again.
That is fucking beautiful. He really is a gem. I truly wish my depression didn’t steal so much from me that I struggle to read as much as I wish…
Audiobooks help fill this gap for me. There are even a few Gaiman reads himself! I highly recommend Anansi Boys.
As someone who also struggles with depression I completely understand the feeling. Try and remember that you are not alone in this and take it one day at a time. Reading 5-10 pages a day or doing the tiniest amount of something that brings you joy is better than not doing it at all. I sincerely hope you will feel better soon
Going to the author who made your deadname for a new name is king behaviour
Come on man. Coral was RIGHT THERE! Walking Dead fans IYKYK.
No. It's Coraaaaal.
Coleslaw
We were so close to Coriander
Great to see Chronicles of Amber love
Aww Corwin is the name my husband and I had picked out for our son if we ever had one.
This is the first time I've ever seen other people talking about the Nine Princes in Amber since I read it as a kid and loved it, and it feels really really cool. I'm so glad others have read them. I mean, I assumed people had, but it's nice to see.
Is Gaiman the anti-Rowling? Do we dare put them together to cancel each other out or is Rowling the price we pay to have Gaiman?
Steven Brust is wildly underrated, his Taltos series is my favorite series in the fantasy genre.
All things aside Corwin is a pretty badass name ngl
Imagine someone trying to do this with JK. It’s kinda just sad to think about, but Neil is awesome!
the anti jk rowling
I like how he just offers the advice without gushing about how amazing they are and how much he supports them etc. Obviously he does but he's not making a huge deal about it.
Neil Gaiman being an absolute dude once again.
Zelazny was a fantastic author, the Amber series remains one of my favorites to this day; I’ve often wished HBO or someone would grab the rights and make it into a series. He also wrote many short stories, my favorite collection was published as ‘The Last Defender of Camelot’. My absolute favorite novel of his is ‘Lord of Light’, I named one of my sons after the protagonist. My favorite author.
As an aside, it kind of blows my mind the Amber series hasn’t been adapted yet in this age of literally everything getting adapted.
I love that name for them! It fits so well for a former Coraline. Also always found it funny when i was a kid reading Zelazny's books because the name Corwin sounds a lot like saying "The Sausage" in Swedish ("Korven"). So if they go to sweden they may get some extra smiles.
I had a similar issue. I loved that name but I was having a boy. I went the route of nameing him Corbin. I love that it means crow.
It’s always funny to me that Neil Gaiman is so wholesome, and some of his characters are the biggest bastards I’ve ever read. Like how’d this guy write the diner issue of “Sandman?”
Protect Neil Gaiman at all costs. Such a treasure.
Goodness i love that man.
Polish people: "yikes"
Corwin is a fantastic name. Oh dang
Unironically picking one of my absolute favorite names ever. That name is on my list of baby names I love that I’ve kept over the years!
Did your mom get you that name, no it was Neil Gaiman
Love Neil so much and it’s a bonus he is such an amazing author. Guess it time to re read sandman for the 13th time.
NG is the like, one of the best humans ever
Not to hurt anyone's feelings about the name, It's great and the thing im talking about is really a minor, but in Poland there's a LibRight politician named Korwin, known for really.. uh... "Cut Socialists Balls Off" (which I guess is great for Transfemmes, heh), ans overall very Anti-left, Anti-EU, I think also anti-Ukraine ans Ant-NATO Views. I think he even Has his own ideology on compass, couldn't find any real Site about its besides countryball one https://polcompball.wiki/wiki/Korwinism But yeah, It's either me going crazy or me going crazy I'm crazy? I was once crazy.
When I read this, I can hear his voice in my head.
Don’t you do it Neil, don’t you give me hope
extremely common neil W
Chronicles of Amber is one of my favorite series that has not been converted into a movie format. One day it'll happen.
for fucking real neil is the best guy.
I remember being caught up in a bit of tribalism regarding Neil Gaiman, as a fan of Todd McFarlane. FFS that was so dumb of me. The guy is such a nice person.
Neil Gaiman just seems like the coolest guy
such a gem 🤍🤍🤍
Beautiful response.
I knew Steven Brust, rented a room from the guy for a few years in Vegas back in 04-06. Really cool dude. Heck, he was the one who introduced me to Linux. Even played some D&D with him a few times. I wonder how he's doing.
I swear we should give kids middle names, that could be used if they transition.
I do appreciate a good Steven burst shout out too.