Ancient & Medieval Historical Fiction discussion

Eaters of the Dead discussion thread.

I have purchased this one. Should come in the mail in a few weeks.

I got my Eaters today. It's a funny-sized book -- tall and skinny. Like a... like a schooner. Not unattractive. Not masses on a page, and the story ends on p. 231, out of 289. The rest is appendix, sources, a factual note and a big excerpt from Prey.

Looks a nice lazy January read.

It's this one:

That sounds odd. Since we bought the same edition, I will be checking the mail box for a schooner shaped parcel. :-)

I'm considering an anthropological study on the acrobatics of the acquisition of books for Internationally based Internet/web book groups.
This group would definitely be a prime test case given the number of ways we attempt to get at these worthy reads every month.

We all do have many different ways to source books around here. :-)

That would be an interesting study. I think I have 5 or 6 ways of getting books myself. I always find it curious how different parts of the world can get or not get books too. :)

Bronwen wrote: "Went ahead and bought this from Book Depository this time. Arrived in just under two weeks. Pretty good considering it is the Christmas period."

I am still waiting for my copy from The Book Depository. It should not be too far away now. The public holidays this week would have slowed it up.

Dawn wrote: "That would be an interesting study. I think I have 5 or 6 ways of getting books myself. I always find it curious how different parts of the world can get or not get books too. :)"


And how much longer it takes different parts of a country to get books.
Bryn ordered this book the day before me from TBD. She got hers in NSW before Xmas and I still haven't gotten mine as I live at a rural address in QLD.

And how books I order from the UK get here before books I order from the US.....I always find that so strange.

The cost of S&H from different countries is vastly different too. It's often cheaper to order from the UK than from the east coast of my own country.

Thank goodness for TBD free International shipping or I would never buy myself any books. :-)

There has been a lot of contention in New Zealand in the last few weeks about the time it has has taken books from The Book Depository to arrive, apparently some people had been waiting months to get books that they were promised would arrive in a few weeks. They tried to blame NZ Post and say that the containers with the books in had been sitting on a warf in NZ. In reply NZ Post put out a scathing press statement, which basically said that was a lie and the delays were due to TBD using super cheap, and therefore very slow posting options in the UK. Free postage is great if you are willing to wait, which I usually am as the longest I've had to wait is about three weeks.

That sounds like a big stuff up by TBD. Gee. And they got caught which is good.

Thankfully I have never had any huge delays from TBD. Fingers crossed I don't in the future either. I am running out of reliable bookstores. lol. The ones here in Oz are either too expensive or don't have free shipping or have cheap prices and free shipping but have a terrible service.
I have run the gauntlet of them all and won't shop in Australia anymore. Hopefully TBD will continue to do the right thing by me.

I heard in another group there's been unusual delays lately from both US and UK to NZ/Aus. I can testify to that, for a few parcels I expected weeks ago from US. In my case, Book Depository has been as per normal (and well-used).

Interesting. *nervous face* i hope I get my copy of Eaters of the Dead before the end of Feb. :( That would not make me happy, to have it delayed.

That would make a difference I expect.

I ordered a cover for my Tablet off ebay from Hong Kong mid December and that came a little earlier than they estimated. So I guess some shipping/postage channels are running on time. I admit, I kind of expected my TBD parcel from the UK today....nope. :( Only the Tablet cover was there.

Just been lent a copy of this from a mate. So I can read it again, it's been years.

Edited for embarrassing spelling mistake. :0o

Terrific!

Since I completely blew off Agincourt, I'll try to get this one read for sure.

It helps that it is a small book. Harder for us to blow off. :-)

My copy still hasn't come, so I have started reading the other group read. I shall join in the group read of Eaters of the Dead when I finish The King's Spy (provided the book has arrived by then).

Mine is ready for pick up at the library.

just about to start

You lucky guys.
I am still waiting for mine in the mail. :(
The other group read is a quick read, so I would be on Eaters of the Dead in a day IF THE DAMN THING WOULD SHOW UP. :]

Word to the wise about this book. When I read the reviews on it, it appears to be written in an unorthodox style. Starts out like a non fiction or something...as I don't have my copy yet *yells some more at the letterbox* I can't tell for sure.

If memory serves, it is written in first person. A bit diary, a bit biography, but a narrative nonetheless.

Since it's a shortie, I'm waiting for other people. Maybe for the mail to reach Queensland.

I need to check the date they sent it. It may not be late. If it is late, I will send them an email.

Well it's a very strange read so far, but in good way.

Good to hear. I am expecting a strange read (if I ever bloody get to it) but I am hoping for a strange read in a 'unique' and challenging sort of way. Something different to your usual meat and potatoes.

Then that's what you will be getting from this book terri.

Good. :-)

Incredible descriptions so far, still disgusted of the norse matinal routine.

Definitely not a usual reading but still amazing :D

Hi Labor,
Thanks for joining in the discussions on Eaters of the Dead. :-)

I checked when i bought the book and it was on the 17th December. It usually takes two weeks give or take for books to get here from The Book Depository, so considering there were three public holidays since I bought it, the book is only a little late. Which is heartening.

Just bought myself a copy. I'm well-read on many Michael Crichton novels; but I must say, Crichton delivers a very different (but nice) read in "Eaters of the Dead". Halfway through now, and I'm really enjoying it.

A small similarity I'd like to point out, though:
A representative & messenger of the Caliph of Bagdad, City of Peace, forced into being the 13th member of a company of odd, foreign Norsemen to fight a dark, unknown terror and reclaim a fallen kingdom in the North. Fictionally recorded as "The Manuscript of Ibn Fadlan, Relating His Experiences with the Northmen in AD 922" by Ahmad Ibn Fadlan.
-- plot of Michael Chrichton's "Eaters of the Dead".

A humble map collector of Bag End, the Shire in Hobbiton, contracted into being the 13th member of a company of odd, foreign Dwarves to fight a fiery terror and reclaim the fallen kingdom of Erebor in the Northwest. Fictionally recorded as "There and Back Again" by Bilbo Baggins.
-- plot of JRR Tolkein's "The Hobbit".

This is why I love my sci-fi & fantasy.

Haha....there is also the Beowulf connection too. Which Crichton modelled the story on. :-)

And Tolkien in turn heavily influenced by Beowulf. It's a circle.

Sure is a case of chicken or the egg.

Finished, it, but need to sort out my thoughts on this book. I thought I had read this years ago but I hadn't. I think I may have started it but never finished.

Terri wrote: "Sure is a case of chicken or the egg."

I'm attempting to picture Beowulf, Tolkien and Chricton laying eggs... As this is not a vision I wish to repeat any time soon, I've concluded they're all (good) eggs. :D

I haven't read this book in several years but remember loving it. I'll have to reread it as my memory of it is a bit foggy.

Hi Kati,
It is amazing how many people read the book many years gone.
I imagine it had a spike in sale due to the movie? I wonder if that is why so many people read it ages ago.

D wrote: "Terri wrote: "Sure is a case of chicken or the egg."

I'm attempting to picture Beowulf, Tolkien and Chricton laying eggs... As this is not a vision I wish to repeat any time soon, I've concluded t..."

Ha! Yes, they are all good eggs I suppose. :-)

I first read the book over 30 years ago, and I've read it a couple of times since, and all before the movie came out. I don't think the movie improved on the book at all.

Well..all I know is I can't wait to bloody read it! I just need it to turn up in the mail.

i have finished it and done a review,

i gave it 4stars

Excellent! 4 stars sounds promising. I won't read your review until I have read it or am part way through though. Want to go into the book with a clear mind.

Almost finished and amazed at the similarities to Beowulf especially. Even the name of the Black Mist and Nordic leader are pronounced alike to Grendel and Beowulf. Should be finished tonight.

Look forward to see what rating you give it, Bobby.