[Glelas]

If this type of question is somewhere else, I apologize now and it is my headache to find out what I need.

I want to read David Gemmel, but I first want to know what type of read I am getting myself into. Is it of the Dragonlance, Forgotten Realms type "comic book - but no less entertaining"? Or more "substance" like Erikson, Hobb, Martin type?

Or somewhere in the middle?




PS this is my subjective interpertation of "comic book" or "substance". It is not intended to judge anyone else's likes or dislikes...

[ChrisW]

I'd say middle. He's not as meaty as the fat fantasy authors but has a little more subtance than the DL and FR books. From the few i've read anyway.

Can't say I know to much about them as I've only read the Dark Elf trilogy.

[Richardb]

Gemmel is his own sort of thing. Definately not fat fantasy, but a rousing good tale. I little bit of old Robert E Howard, combined with some of the story telling of a Feist. His strength is in the almost elemental power of his characters, with enough interesting backdrop to keep the pages turning.

[juzzza]

Bang in the middle, great characters and plenty of action. His books are like great action movies, great entertainment and provide an escape from reality and a rest from the heavier reads although you are unlikely to come away inspired... Although you may want to hit things.


;)

[Nunchuckz]

:)

[Warewolf]

I resent your implication that comic books are all light reading by comparing them to Dragonlance and Forgotten Realms in such a dismissive manner :D

[Erfael]

It is rather insulting to the comic books, isn't it?

[juzzza]

It's no secret that I am a huge Gemmell fan, he inspired me to write, but I must say that whilst I appreciate his books for what they are, don't dismiss them as having no substance, I think he is one of the greatest creators of characters I have ever read, his plots are the problem, very samey.

He is a master at writing about man's inner struggle and the perception of right and wrong depending upon who's side you are on. He is also the Godfather of the grey path, no whiter than white heroes in Gemmell's books.

[Ouroboros]

I agree with Juzzza that while on the surface his books may appear to be the fantasy novel equivalent of kickboxing with the lads and then a few beers, Gemmell actually has a serious agenda underneath.

His books deal with questions of moralty, individual responsibility, moral absolutism versus moral relativism. Yeah, he may explore them using axes and sieges to illustrate his arguments, and yes he is on 'repeat mode', but I admire the fact that he is an author who is not afraid to lay his beliefs down on the table and fight for them.

Some people learned everything they know about morality from 'Star Trek : The Next Generation' ... I think I took a lot of my beliefs from reading Gemmell when I was a teenager.

Damn it, John Wayne movies and Clarence from 'True Romance' were in the mix as well.

[Glelas]

Originally posted by Warewolf
I resent your implication that comic books are all light reading by comparing them to Dragonlance and Forgotten Realms in such a dismissive manner :D

I have no intention of judging your tastes. Although I love the Dragonlance and Realms series that is the category "I" deem appropriate.

If you must resent something about me resent the fact that I am one big hunk of a man...