Phillip Jose Farmer's "Dungeon"

[Tyjenks]

Has anyone else read this, I think, seven book series? I believe I read it approx. 10 or 12 years ago and enjoyed it. It had a sort of D&D feel to it in that the characters were being played with by some higher being (DM). I cannot remember much more other than some caring female spidery character.

Wondering if anyone has read it recently and how good or bad it actually was.

[Scott A.]

It's 6 books, actually... The same guy wrote the 1st and 6th, and their were different writers for the 4 in between.

It's been about 4 years since my last read. None of the books *really* live up to the 1st one, but they are ok. I'd definately recommend the first one, to anyone looking for some sci-fi to read.

[Tyjenks]

Thaaaat's right. Have you read any of his other stuff? I really just read those and never thought to read Farmer again. I was at the used bookstore the other day and did not realize how prolific he was.

[Alan Dunkin]

I read it when it first came out, and dutifully bought each novel.. don't think I could go back to it now. After the first book, it really went downhill (always liked the illustrations though).

It did get me intrigued enough to pick up the Dayworld books, and the Riverworld series. Dayworld is an interesting concept (sci-fi society where everyone lives one day out of the week and one guy who doesn't), Riverworld started good, but it just went on and on... I guess it was interesting too, seeing all of those historical characters, but man.

Forget how many Dayworld books there were, it's been a long time since I've read them (in fact I'm not 100% sure it was called Dayworld hehe).

--- Alan

[junior allen]

Yeah, it was Dayworld.

Farmer is (was?) very prolific, but nowadays he's probably best known for a bunch of pulp-related books: Lord of the Trees, The Mad Goblin, Doc Savage: His Apocalyptic Life, etc. In these books (and elsewhere) Farmer puts forth the notion that every single pulp/adventure character you like are related to each other in some way.

It's a big hobby for a bunch of people, and you can check out the website here: www.pjfarmer.com/woldnewton/Pulp.htm As with most things like this, too many people take it too seriously, but it can be fun to browse around in there.

junior allen

[Tyjenks]

In these books (and elsewhere) Farmer puts forth the notion that every single pulp/adventure character you like are related to each other in some way.

It's a big hobby for a bunch of people, and you can check out the website here: www.pjfarmer.com/woldnewton/Pulp.htm As with most things like this, too many people take it too seriously, but it can be fun to browse around in there.

junior allen

Wow. "Too seriously" may be putting it mildly, junior. Really interesting though. Thanks for the link.

[JFeil]

I have to agree that the dungeon series started out ok, but descended into a bad "Space:1889 meets D&D meets The World of Tiers" tale which meanders without focus for 5 books.

Mentioning the World of Tiers, that was my favorite Phillip Jose Farmer series. It was very much like the Amber series, by Zelazny. In fact, one set of books mentions the other in its "thank you" (can't remember which, though).

[Scott A.]

Heh, I forgot about the sketches in the Dungeon books - they're the best part. Worth killing 10 minutes or so next time you're in a book store, anyways.

[Jessica]

I always liked his World of Tiers (http://users.castel.nl/~nuniz01/PJFsl.htm) series best.

[Miramon]

... but there are other good PJF books including the World of Tiers, which I think is his best. The Riverworld stuff was interesting at first, but got old for me. He has written some semi-pornographic fantasy stuff which was actually pretty good if you like that kind of thing. I can't remember the names of those books, though.

[Tyjenks]

He has written some semi-pornographic fantasy stuff which was actually pretty good if you like that kind of thing. I can't remember the names of those books, though.

Sweet! Porn I can justify to my wife. Quick! Get me more info.

Seriously, thanks for all of your replies. I have successfully avoided trudging through those books again and believe I will hunt down the other series' of PJF everyone mentioned as I did really like his writing in that first book. I was fairly young when I read those and at the time really dug the D&D/characters as puppets theme.



And um, Miramon if you do not feel comfortable and have supposedly "forgotten" those books feel free to PM me. No one will be the wiser. :wink:

[junior allen]

.He has written some semi-pornographic fantasy stuff which was actually pretty good if you like that kind of thing. I can't remember the names of those books, though.

Image of the Beast, Blown, and A Feast Unknown.

junior allen

[Tyjenks]

Thanks junior. :)

[Miramon]

No it's just been many years since I read 'em.

Hmmm.... haven't seen Blown :shock: