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Elric of Melniboné (The Elric Saga, #1)

Michael Moorcock

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What Members Thought

May 27, 2015 Markus rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2016, fantasy, the-separatists

I have always detested Michael Moorcock.

As a fantasy reader whose passion for Tolkien’s writing knows no boundaries, I have always had a hard time swallowing the venomous spite and blind arrogance with which he’s been denouncing the champion of my fantasy dreams.

Generally speaking, I never felt anything against authors who attempted to step out of Tolkien’s shadow. These separatists, as I enjoy calling them, count shining stars like Mervyn Peake and China Mieville among their ranks, both men I ...more

158 likes · Like · see review

Apr 24, 2020 Adam McPhee rated it really liked it

Shelves: fantasy, 2020, sword-and-sorcery

Avoided Moorcock's Elric of Melniboné for a long time because of criticism people made about melodrama or whatever. Once you realize the book is essentially a roman à clef about a moody goth kid, they're actually a lot of fun (think of the royal court as a high school). Think Jack Vance going for high drama.

The Ship that Travels Over Land and Sea was the coolest part. ...more

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Jan 19, 2018 Clint rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2018, fantasy, sword-sorcery, dead-trees, fantasy-worth-reading, appendix-n

This is my second attempt at reading the Elric saga. Some things are very likable: the pacing is great, the writing crisp, some of the character names are evocative, Dr Jest is Mervyn Peak brilliant.

But then there are the things I do not like. I don’t like, and yes this is petty, the fact that Moorcock felt Howard’s Conan needed an opposite. Which sounds silly. There are more than enough Clonans out there, but Moorcock’s essays and ideas often strike me as pretentious and I step away thinking h ...more

1 like · Like · see review