Olaf Stapledon Question

Which of his books should I read first - Star Maker or Last and First Men (or another title, perhaps)?

Star Maker is a sequel to Last and First Men, and should be read first. The two are short enough that you could read both in quick succession, probably. They are the ones to read if you're reading only one or two. Next would be Odd John.

Is Star Maker is the sequel, why would you read it first?

>3 amysisson:

Because I was not aware that those books constituted a series.

^4 Sorry, I'm confused. :-) I was responding to post #2, because it says "Star Maker is a sequel ... and should be read first". Normally I would have thought that a person would read the sequel second. I wonder if this is just a misunderstanding based on the wording of post #2.....

So much for my coherence. I meant to say that one should read Last and First Men first. I'll just be over here in the corner, mumbling to myself...

Sorry for the confusion.

^That's what I thought might be the case. No worries, we have our answer now, plus you've inspired me to finally read some Stapledon! It's beyond time that I do.....

amy, If you are planning to read just one Olaf Stapledon then I would recommend Starmaker. You do not need to read Last and First men before as it stands on it's own. If you wanted to read a second book of his then Odd John or Sirius would be my recommendations.

I think Last and First Men is the better of the two; his first use of his big idea. But either is fine.

Note that neither of these is a novel, really. Very little characterization, all imaginings of possibility. Odd John and Sirius have characters present throughout.

> 6: Ah, if you'd been REALLY incoherent, dukedom, you'd have been recommending reading First and First Men last. (But not necessarily in that order.)

I'll get my coat.

Oh. I'm a little concerned about the "very little characterization" -- I find I don't have much patience for that, no matter how good the idea. Maybe I should look at Odd John.