Re: (Clarke) Which 2003 Clarke Award Finalists Have You Read?

James Nicoll wrote:

2003: PM Blair embraces hilariously transparent lies to justify the
invasion of Iraq, two million Britons reveal the power of public outrage
when they protest the Iraq War to no effect, and the Coalition of the
Billing (UK included) faces an occupation of Iraq that will no doubt
be entirely without unforeseen challenges or consequences.
 Which 2003 Clarke Award Finalists Have You Read?
The Separation by Christopher Priest
Kiln People by David Brin
Light by M. John Harrison
The Scar by China Mieville
The Speed of Dark by Elizabeth Moon
The Years of Rice and Salt by Kim Stanley Robinson
 A hit or miss year for me. I've only read the Brin, the Moon, and
the Robinson. Oddly, the SFBC had me read the (mostly plotless)
sequel to Light but not Light itself.

The Brin, the Mieville and  the Robinson.
"The Scar" is not as good as "Perdito Street Station" or his next novel, "The Iron Council".  But I always get a bit picky about naval battles with imbecile commanders.  If you did like PSS you will probably like "The Scar", just not as much.  If you didn't like PSS, well ...
I have bounced off Robinson before, and expected to this time.  But I very much did not, in fact read it compulsively.  Something about the mix of science, religion, and alternate history fascinated me.  To my mind the book does not have an ending, it just stops.  If that bothers you, beware.
I have never bounced off Harrison before, but I did so with "Light".  On the other hand a family friend liked it considerably, so perhaps I should try again.
I have no excuse for not reading the Priest.
William Hyde