Hi all… I've just read and loved Piranesi. I'd like some recommendations for other short(ish) Fantasy or Sci-Fi books please.
Some rules (because I'm difficult):
Short(ish) – under 400 pages for preference please (but this is not a hard rule – if something is really good but longer, go for it).
No series – I'd prefer a single volume Fantasy (for preference) or Sci-fi book. (Stand alone books from a longer series… e.g. a Terry Pratchett Discworld novel or Iain M. Banks Culture novel would be fine – but I want the story to be resolved by the book's end with no obligation to read another novel. Also: don't recommend Terry P or Iain Banks – I know, and love, their work).
Here's a difficult one – for preference – I'd like a fantasy novel which is, much like 'Jonathon Strange and Mr Norrell', set in the 'real' world. Yes, I know many authors have created wonderful imaginative worlds, and yes, over the years I've read many – but I don't have the energy to learn a whole new world, especially not when our own world has so many interesting historical scenarios. Is it wrong to want (for example) a book set in Medieval Paris… with Wizards!? Is it?! (Again – this is 'for preference' don't let it put you off recommending anything you like if you think it's really good).
Finally – I'm going to buy a physical copy of the book. So it's got to be something I can buy in a UK bookshop.
I was leaning towards something by Ursula Le Guin (who I have, of course, heard so much about but, to my shame, have never actually read), but I thought I'd canvas for some suggestions here…
by That_Arm