The Golden Compass series by Philip Pullman.

Quote from: David RNo Le Guin, Elliot?

Isn't Earthsea aimed at children or is that young adult?

Young adult is fair game.

Um, never read any of Le Guin's fiction.

About Heinlein, I remember enjoying The Star Beast.

I think I enjoyed Andre Norton, and that at least some of her stuff was aimed at a juvenile audience but I'm at a loss to recall any titles in particular.

War of the Buttons by Louis Pergaud

Another vote for The Dark is Rising, as well as Pullman's His Dark Materials series. Prydain is also cool.

I'm surprised no one has mentioned the Narnia chronicles.The Lion, The Witch..., Voyage of the Dawn Treader and The Silver Chair are pretty much archetypal fantasy quest adventures.

Quote from: David RNo Le Guin, Elliot?

Isn't Earthsea aimed at children or is that young adult?

While I totally dig Earthsea I have to say that there isn't much setting in the novels. It is a very personal quest of one (or two, if you count Tenar) heroes, and all that travelling to the lands of the dead is not the basis for many different adventures.

I could imagine a home grown setting in the vein of Earthsea, though.

My two cents:

The Haunting of Alaizabel Cray by Chris Wooding
That's a "World of Darkness" I can imagine gaming in.

Dark Reflections Trilogy by Kai Meyer
Reminiscent of Pullman's Golden Compass, but lighter.

The Edge Chronicles by Paul Stewart and illustrator Chris Riddell
Sky pirates, flying ships, weird creatures in dark forests, and floating cities chained to the edge of the world - this one has "Adventure" (capital "A") written all over it. (Plus: The artwork reminds me a lot of the good old Fighting Fantasy style by Russ Nicholson et al.)

Dirk

Quote from: DrewI'm surprised no one has mentioned the Narnia chronicles.

I did...as a negative example. Started the first book sometime after reading all of the then-available Tolkien, thought it was too kiddie, put it away.

One thing about children's/young adult fiction is that if you're a year or three past the target age, you're likely to hate it. While as an adult you're past all the concerns about maturity and those books become accessible again.

Interesting to see Ender's Game mentioned above--I guess it is children's fiction, but I didn't realize it when I was reading it.

Quote from: Elliot WilenI did...as a negative example. Started the first book sometime after reading all of the then-available Tolkien, thought it was too kiddie, put it away.

Sorry, I missed that part of your post. In response I'd reiterate my point that several of the books are near perfect for the traditional RPG setup. Take Dawntreader, which features a group of varied adventurers sailing across the ocean in search of long-lost noblemen. Each island is practically an adventure unto itself, presenting varied and often darkly magical obstacles to be overcome. The quest eventually transforms itself into an attempt to land on the shores of heaven, no less. Perfect fodder.

Then of course there's The Silver Chair. Against the Giants, anyone?
 

QuoteOne thing about children's/young adult fiction is that if you're a year or three past the target age, you're likely to hate it. While as an adult you're past all the concerns about maturity and those books become accessible again.

True. I was fortunate enough to read Narnia at exactly the right age (seven) and they've pretty much stayed with me, heavy-handed Christian allegory and all.

Quote from: Pierce InverarityOh but we should forget it. But we can't. But we should.

Why? That book has given me plenty of inspiration for gaming over the years.

(The Hungry City Chronicles by Philip Reeve, beginning with Mortal Engines, would also make for a good RPG setting.)

Starship Troopers gets classed. I could do a good game off of that!

-Marco

Quote from: Elliot WilenAnd a few I would exclude as too "kiddie":

Harry Potter (Honestly I don't see the attraction for adults. Though I admit, I haven't read it at all.)

Ha!  Excellent.  Only a true gamer will criticize a book which he's never read.  Well done.

Quote from: Elliot WilenThe Chronicles of Prydain (Ditto.)

I would argue these are not too 'kiddie' at all.  I read them for the first time just a couple of years ago, at the age of 36 and quite enjoyed them.

Quote from: Elliot WilenThe Chronicles of Narnia (General distaste, plus wondering how it could possibly be of interest as an RPG.)

I read these as a kid, and again as an adult.  I'm still a fan.  Plus, there's tons of stuff in them you could steal into a FRPG.  The sense of history, of a chronology that spans centuries, yet all focussed on the same core struggle would make for a brilliant game.

Quote from: Elliot WilenI did...as a negative example. Started the first book sometime after reading all of the then-available Tolkien, thought it was too kiddie, put it away.

One thing about children's/young adult fiction is that if you're a year or three past the target age, you're likely to hate it. While as an adult you're past all the concerns about maturity and those books become accessible again.

Interestingly enough...

"When I became a man I put away childish things, including the fear of childishness and the desire to be very grown up."

 -- C.S. Lewis

Quote from: GrimGentWhy? That book has given me plenty of inspiration for gaming over the years.

Because Michael Ende is the King of Kitsch, the Thane of Tacky, the Sultan of Schlock.

That said, if you're into Borgstrom (sp?)...

Quote from: Pierce InverarityBecause Michael Ende is the King of Kitsch, the Thane of Tacky, the Sultan of Schlock.

Interesting. That's the first time I've heard someone call his books kitschy or tacky, by the way, ever since I read Momo close to thirty years ago.

Quote from: zombenHa!  Excellent.  Only a true gamer will criticize a book which he's never read.  Well done.

:bow:

QuoteI would argue these are not too 'kiddie' at all.  I read them for the first time just a couple of years ago, at the age of 36 and quite enjoyed them.

For me they suffered from the same issue as Narnia: I'd just read LotR and the Silmarillion, and I was in the 7th or 8th grade.

Quote from: Pierce InverarityThere are those Enid Blyton novels, which I did read (whatever their English name is), and an RPG loosely based on them does exist: Lashings of Ginger Beer. Would I want to play it? Hell no.

There's also the Forgotten Futures supplement Fables and Frolics, based on Edith Nesbit's stories.