Immortals

TalkBook talk

Join LibraryThing to post.

Immortals

This topic is currently marked as "dormant"—the last message is more than 90 days old. You can revive it by posting a reply.

1jldarden
Dec 4, 2013, 5:36 pm

I am looking for stories about immortals. Nothing darkly supernatural, with vampires or demons etc., but more like regular folks who are or become immortal.
I recall a TV series a few years ago called "New Amsterdam" about a man who was granted immortality for stopping the murder of a girl. Along those lines.
Any suggestions?

22wonderY
Edited: Dec 4, 2013, 5:56 pm

I see you enjoy Audio books and have read Dog On It, so I'm going to recommend The Iron Druid Chronicles, even though they have vampires and demons and witches too.

Atticus is the only druid left alive, and he's nearly immortal. His sidekick, Oberon, has a wonderful dog voice. Do listen, as Luke Daniels makes them better than print.

3nemoman
Edited: Dec 4, 2013, 7:29 pm

My favorite is The Boat of a Million Years by Poul Anderson. The book starts in Phoenician times with a ship captain who discovers he is immortal. The book continues into the future with the protagonist seeking out others of his kind. The historical settings are handled quite well.

4yoyogod
Dec 4, 2013, 11:53 pm

Flying Dutch is a good comic fantasy in which instead of being a ghost ship, the Flying Dutchman is crewed by immortals.

5fyrefly98
Dec 5, 2013, 12:24 pm

Before Ever After by Samantha Sotto, The Mummy by Anne Rice (NOT part of her vampire series), and Immortal by Traci Slatton are three that spring to mind.

6amberwitch
Edited: Dec 5, 2013, 12:47 pm

Changer by Jane Lindskold and the sequel Legends walking features communities of immortals, a lot of them referencing mythologies around the world.

Also Wild Seed by Octavia Butler, My soul to keep by Tananarive Due and Blood Brothers by Steven Barnes

7aulsmith
Dec 5, 2013, 9:57 pm

Tuck Everlasting. Children's book which I read too long ago to remember well.

8reconditereader
Dec 5, 2013, 10:14 pm

Kage Baker's The Company series is all about immortals and their foibles. It starts with In the Garden of Iden.

9jldarden
Dec 5, 2013, 10:36 pm

Thanks all for your suggestions. I have read The Mummy and Tuck Everlasting.
Any more?

10Booksloth
Edited: Dec 6, 2013, 8:07 am

A real gem for grown-ups is The Thief of Time by John Boyne. There's another fairly recent book that I'm trying desparately to think of and it's now going to be on my mind until I rememebr; I hope someone else comes up with it before it drives me crazy.

ETA - Darn it! I just remembered what that book was and realised that if I told you I'd be giving away one of the best surprises in recent fiction. So I'm not saying a word. I just hope you come across it accidentally one day and enjoy the revelation as much as I did.

11TLCrawford
Edited: Dec 6, 2013, 9:24 am

A World out of Time by Larry Niven takes an interesting look at immortality and what we might be willing to give up to achieve it. His character Lewis Wu from the Known Space stories has some trouble with boredom after only two hundred years, personally I agree with Heinlein, who wants to live forever?

12jldarden
Dec 6, 2013, 12:09 pm

10> you are cruel!

13Booksloth
Dec 7, 2013, 6:00 am

#12 No, really - you'll thank me one day!

14amanda4242
Dec 7, 2013, 1:55 pm

I haven't read it, but Peter Hamill's Forever is supposed to be similar to New Amsterdam.

15bernsad
Dec 8, 2013, 12:12 am

#13 No, he won't. Even if he stumbles on the book you have in mind he will never know that is the one you were referring to. And now you've left the rest of us wondering what we're missing too!

16Booksloth
Dec 8, 2013, 7:12 am

#15 Heh, heh, heh . . .