nomadman
Registered User
- Joined
- Jul 17, 2017
- Messages
- 35
There isn't really anything remotely like either The Worm or Gormenghast, but plenty of works of similar power and originality.
David Lindsay's A Voyage to Arcturus has already been mentioned, but it's worth reiterating just how strange and powerful this novel is. Despite its framing device and Earthly set-up, which proceeds for a few chapters, it's as close to a piece of pure inventive fantasy as anything you're likely to read without veering into psychotropic nonsense like Naked Lunch. Hodgson's The Night Land exerts a similar effect, though its prose is excruciatingly turgid at times. It's one of the few novels I'd recommend soldiering through in spite of its many failings, in order to experience the truly stand out elements. Dunsany's work might not be to your taste, but there's no doubt that he's a singular fantasist with one of the most hypnotic and magical prose styles imaginable. If you can't get into his short work I urge you to tackle The King of Elfland's Daughter, which is an incredible novel and the essence of fantasy for me.
Well of the Unicorn by Fletcher Pratt has much of the earthiness of Worm's battle scenes and general political machinations, but lacks the spiritual or fantastical elements. It's a great example of realistic world building and grounded fantasy but tends to be a bit on the dry side at times. The Broken Sword by Poul Anderson is the flip side of that. It has all the bravado and majesty of Worm but lacks the realism and depth of prosaic detail.
Book of the New Sun by Gene Wolfe has been mentioned. I'm not a huge fan, but it's no doubt an extremely ambitious and well wrought piece of fiction with much to recommend it. The sequels are of a similar complexity and depth, though you might like to be aware of the time and effort commitment before starting.
Avram Davison's Phoenix and the Mirror is terrific, as is everything by this author, though that's by far the best place to start. If you enjoy that work then check out Peregrine Primus, Ursus of Ultima Thule, The Island Under the Earth or any of his short story collections.
Olaf Stapledon's Last and First Men and Starmaker might be ostensibly science fiction, but they capture much of the awesomeness and sense of wonder of the above works. Cordwainer Smith's Instrumentality series might also float your boat, for similar reasons.
David Lindsay's A Voyage to Arcturus has already been mentioned, but it's worth reiterating just how strange and powerful this novel is. Despite its framing device and Earthly set-up, which proceeds for a few chapters, it's as close to a piece of pure inventive fantasy as anything you're likely to read without veering into psychotropic nonsense like Naked Lunch. Hodgson's The Night Land exerts a similar effect, though its prose is excruciatingly turgid at times. It's one of the few novels I'd recommend soldiering through in spite of its many failings, in order to experience the truly stand out elements. Dunsany's work might not be to your taste, but there's no doubt that he's a singular fantasist with one of the most hypnotic and magical prose styles imaginable. If you can't get into his short work I urge you to tackle The King of Elfland's Daughter, which is an incredible novel and the essence of fantasy for me.
Well of the Unicorn by Fletcher Pratt has much of the earthiness of Worm's battle scenes and general political machinations, but lacks the spiritual or fantastical elements. It's a great example of realistic world building and grounded fantasy but tends to be a bit on the dry side at times. The Broken Sword by Poul Anderson is the flip side of that. It has all the bravado and majesty of Worm but lacks the realism and depth of prosaic detail.
Book of the New Sun by Gene Wolfe has been mentioned. I'm not a huge fan, but it's no doubt an extremely ambitious and well wrought piece of fiction with much to recommend it. The sequels are of a similar complexity and depth, though you might like to be aware of the time and effort commitment before starting.
Avram Davison's Phoenix and the Mirror is terrific, as is everything by this author, though that's by far the best place to start. If you enjoy that work then check out Peregrine Primus, Ursus of Ultima Thule, The Island Under the Earth or any of his short story collections.
Olaf Stapledon's Last and First Men and Starmaker might be ostensibly science fiction, but they capture much of the awesomeness and sense of wonder of the above works. Cordwainer Smith's Instrumentality series might also float your boat, for similar reasons.
