[Cygnus]

I'm having a tough time getting into the Melnibone books. They looked pretty interesting, but I only got about 70 pages into the first one before I lost interest. It feels like it's written like an outline. The chapters are really short, and the prose just didn't seem to flow for me.

I just picked this book off the library shelf at random with no preconceptions. Has anyone else had more sucess with this author? I might try to pick them up again later. (I did just finish Tad Williams' Memory, Sorrow and Thorn series, so I'm bound to be disappointed with whatever else I read!!)

[6of9]

I first discovered Moorcock and Elric when I was about twelve, so my critical faculties weren't all that well-developed. However, I remain a devout fan to this day.

If Elric isn't doing it for you right now, check out Hawkmoon. It is a little less esoteric than Corum or Elric.

Stick with it. Moorcock is a wonderful writer.

[Keyoke]

Agreed! I love the Elric and Corum books.. Myself, I read the Corum books first, and thought they were great. It's been a long time since I've read them, but, I have do remember enjoying the Corum series. =)

Keyoke

[Cadfael]

I think the Eternal Champion books are awesome, and yes... they do take a little time to get used to... and I had the same advice from FitzChivlary that you are getting... start with Hawkmoon, thanks FC BTW, you need to get a feel for Moorcock, and Hawkmoon is the easiest to get into. Corum is okay as well.

The one that really may cause you some trouble is book 2, actually called The Eternal Champion, about Erkose(sp?)... Moorcock wrote this book at the age of 12, and it shows, but it is still a good story. I think this book has just been moved into the book 1 slot, with Von Bek the original book 1 now being labeled as book 2... and yes! I am confused as well http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/smile.gif For what it is worth, you do not need to read each omnibus edition in numerical order, each series is stand-a-lone to a certain extent

I really urge you to give them another go, it his his style that takes a while to gel... but I have to say, I have not been this hungry to devour a series for a long time... since Thomas Covenant in fact.

[FitzChivalry]

Yeah, Michael Moorcock is a great writer, few if any have a more fertile imagination.
But the thing to remember while reading The Eternal Champion books and especailly Elric is that those books were written in very different times in his life, from age 20 to 60 and the levels change very much.
So if you started in the wrong book for your reading preference, don't let it ruin the whole series for you, either try another book or finish that book and get to its sequel because it will be probably written in a pretty different way.

[Zsinj16]

Well, I haven't read Moorcock yet, but from what I've read he sounds indeed to be a great author!! And as for having trouble getting through any fantasy book, I've decided I'm going to stick it out to the bitter end in whatever fantasy book I am reading, because once you've trodded and slumped through all the stuff that is boring or doesn't appeal to you, the book seems to get better and better at a neck-breaking speed and you soon find out that it was well worth it to continue with the book. http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/smile.gif

[Cygnus]

Thanks for the advice everyone. I'll give him another go sometime. I'm now about 50 pages into David Drake's The Lord of the Isles, and I really like it.

[BehemothCat]

Some more thoughts on Moorcock: I like Elric, Corum, et al quite a bit as well, but my favorite of the Multiverse books are his Dancers at the End of Time books - very different from the rest of the Multiverse books and quite funny.

And Moorcock fans who're ready for something a little more substantial from him should run, not walk, and track down a copy of Gloriana (World Fantasy award winner - 1979) - it's far and away my favorite book of his. Unlike a number of the Multiverse books which were cranked out so that Moorcock could support his magazine, Gloriana is a well crafted labor of love. It's a stand alone book, gleefully scandalous, and extremely well written.

[neologik]

My god. People that don't know Mike Moorcock? I may wet myself.

People, people...correct this oversight. Now. Before you all die unhappy and unfulfilled.

Mike Moorcock is the creator of more fantasy tropes than anyone else beyond Tolkien. And he's still writing. Well over a hundred books so far.

You won't know what you're missing until you find it.

all best,
--gabe

(who gets email almost daily from Mike...)

[6of9]

"And Moorcock fans who're ready for something a little more substantial from him should run, not walk, and track down a copy of Gloriana (World Fantasy award winner - 1979) - it's far and away my favorite book of his."

I completely forgot that this novel even existed, and I just finished my current book. Thanks, BehemothCat.