Viriconium

[Sean Wright]

No need to apologise, kron. At the end of the day, reviews are subjective opinion. I've not read Pastel City yet, but based on In Viriconium, I'm looking forward to it.

 

[Luke_B]

He may very well have had a point to his work. But if it fails to engage and maintain interest then it really doesn't matter how important his point, the whole package is a failure, and for me it was.

I can see how you feel that way about the first two novels. I struggled to get through them, too. However, In Viriconium and the short stories from Viriconium Nights are terrific pieces of work which certainly engaged and maintained my interest. The city comes more into focus in the latter novel, and is a beautiful and decadent setting, perfect for the story of a doomed artist and the man in love with her. Harrison's writing could be described as impressionistic, but there's certainly a very simple story (in narrative terms) told well here, about the relationship between art and life, with beautiful characterisation. "The Luck in the Head" and "The Lamia and Lord Cromis" are also two of my all-time favourite short stories. They're both terrifying and mesmerising. The reprinted collected editions are worth buying for these stories alone. Tear out the other pages if you like!

 

[Sean Wright]

I wouldn't say that at all. In fact if Harrison ever were to continue writing in this vein and setting I would definitely be buying and reading. But I would not put him in the apparent lofty heights of the fantasy Olympus that others apparently do. He's a good writer with a deft imagination but my shelves hold dozens and dozens of authors that fit in that category.

Fair dues, John.

I've just finished Strange Great Sins, which is in the Viriconium collection I'm reading. I really do like Harrison's imagination. The sin-eater idea is great, and although the majority of the short tale is a very long flashback, his characters really are very memorable. I find the elegant prose and unique turns of phrases, coupled with the overall bizarre atmosphere exciting in this story. Anyone else read this little gem?

 

[Erfael]

Just a heads-up for everyone. Viriconium has been selected as the Fantasy Book Club book for March. So hopefully we'll have a lively discussion there.

 

[Luke_B]

I've just finished Strange Great Sins, which is in the Viriconium collection I'm reading. I really do like Harrison's imagination. The sin-eater idea is great, and although the majority of the short tale is a very long flashback, his characters really are very memorable. I find the elegant prose and unique turns of phrases, coupled with the overall bizarre atmosphere exciting in this story. Anyone else read this little gem?

I agree, Sean. It's great. But I still prefer "The Luck in the Head" and "The Lamia and Lord Cromis" for pretty much the reasons you state.