Chung Kuo

Has anyone here read the Chung Kuo series by David Wingrove? It seems intriguing. I was wondering about the reading order, since it is being re-released in a 20 volume version that adds a lot of content to the original 8 volume sequence. I have the first three volumes of the original sequence, and if I like it, I want to read it in the best order. Thanks guys! _______________________________________________

On Dec 28, 2013 6:58 PM, <entonio at gmail.com> wrote: I'd never heard of it, but from WP the rerelease appears not to change the order, only include stuff before and in the middle and the author's original intended ending. Have you read any of it? It sounds like the kind of thing my household would enjoy... unless it is all joyrides and no ideas. No dia 28/12/2013, ?s 22:56, Antonin Scriabin <kierkegaurdian at gmail.com> escreveu: Has anyone here read the Chung Kuo series by David Wingrove? It seems intriguing. I was wondering about the reading order, since it is being re-released in a 20 volume version that adds a lot of content to the original 8 volume sequence. I have the first three volumes of the original sequence, and if I like it, I want to read it in the best order. Thanks guys! _______________________________________________

On Sat, Dec 28, 2013 at 4:15 PM, Antonin Scriabin <kierkegaurdian at gmail.com>wrote: Well I only just started the (traditionally) first volume, The Middle Kingdom. It seems so far to strike a balance between big, expansive sci-fi (lots of big ideas to go with the setting) and the personal experiences of a host of characters. Seems worth it so far! On Dec 28, 2013 6:58 PM, <entonio at gmail.com> wrote:

I'd never heard of it, but from WP the rerelease appears not to change the order, only include stuff before and in the middle and the author's original intended ending. Have you read any of it? It sounds like the kind of thing my household would enjoy... unless it is all joyrides and no ideas. No dia 28/12/2013, ?s 22:56, Antonin Scriabin <kierkegaurdian at gmail.com> escreveu: Has anyone here read the Chung Kuo series by David Wingrove? It seems intriguing. I was wondering about the reading order, since it is being re-released in a 20 volume version that adds a lot of content to the original 8 volume sequence. I have the first three volumes of the original sequence, and if I like it, I want to read it in the best order. Thanks guys! _______________________________________________

On Sun, 29 Dec 2013, Antonin Scriabin wrote: Has anyone here read the Chung Kuo series by David Wingrove? It seems intriguing. I was wondering about the reading order, since it is being re-released in a 20 volume version that adds a lot of content to the original 8 volume sequence. I have the first three volumes of the original sequence, and if I like it, I want to read it in the best order.

On 1/1/2014 7:19 PM, David Duffy wrote: On Sun, 29 Dec 2013, Antonin Scriabin wrote:

Has anyone here read the Chung Kuo series by David Wingrove? It seems intriguing. I was wondering about the reading order, since it is being re-released in a 20 volume version that adds a lot of content to the original 8 volume sequence. I have the first three volumes of the original sequence, and if I like it, I want to read it in the best order.

I didn't think think the plot justified the length, that the technologies needed seemed unnaturally constricted in scope (if one can do X, then Y would be just as easy - if it was fantasy then I wouldn't have this problem), and a few rather nasty scenes. The "meta" worry I had, which might seem weird to some, was whether Chinese culture was being adequately represented - I dislike obvious retellings of historical events (Napoleonic wars anyone?), and of stereotyping of non-European societies. There are a few set pieces from the series that stick in my memory though. _______________________________________________

On Jan 1, 2014 8:34 PM, "David Stockhoff" <dstockhoff at verizon.net> wrote: On 1/1/2014 7:19 PM, David Duffy wrote:

On Sun, 29 Dec 2013, Antonin Scriabin wrote: Has anyone here read the Chung Kuo series by David Wingrove? It seems intriguing. I was wondering about the reading order, since it is being re-released in a 20 volume version that adds a lot of content to the original 8 volume sequence. I have the first three volumes of the original sequence, and if I like it, I want to read it in the best order.

I didn't think think the plot justified the length, that the technologies needed seemed unnaturally constricted in scope (if one can do X, then Y would be just as easy - if it was fantasy then I wouldn't have this problem), and a few rather nasty scenes. The "meta" worry I had, which might seem weird to some, was whether Chinese culture was being adequately represented - I dislike obvious retellings of historical events (Napoleonic wars anyone?), and of stereotyping of non-European societies. There are a few set pieces from the series that stick in my memory though. _______________________________________________

I also read only The Middle Kingdom, and had he same concerns---not weird at all. _______________________________________________