Tuesday, January 24, 2006
Book Review: Elric of Melnibone by Michael Moorcock
Writing Style-5.4
Originality-4.7
Plot-1.8
Literary Merit(whatever that means)-1.6
Overall-2.4
I’m going to do my best to get through this review without making a play on the author’s last name.
This is the first book in a fantasy series that has a very significant cult following. So I was curious. But, after reading this one, I don’t know what all the fuss is about.
There is some pretty cool imagery from time to time. Elric is an albino, wizard king so he’s kind of a cool character I guess. The writing is actually pretty decent in places. I thought maybe I would like it at first with the initial description of the world and Elric. But the plot is simply retarded. It’s one of those books where you can tell that the author has no outline of where the story is going. So it’s just chapter after chapter of ridiculousness and disjointedness. With a plot like this, no matter how cool you think Elric may be you really can’t care much about what happens to him.
Basically, it’s about Elric’s brother-in-law trying to usurp him because he sees him as a weakling. They have a big magical battle and—spoiler alert—Elric wins.
Eh, who cares? Unless, you are a serious fantasy fan steer clear of this one.
However, I’ve also been intrigued by a book by the same author called Gloriana which may be better. And the writing in places in Elric is good enough that I don’t think I’ll totally write him off. I sense some potential there if he were working on a story that is well thought through and that it feels like the author cares more about. So, I might try some Moorcock later (dammit, I tried).
Originality-4.7
Plot-1.8
Literary Merit(whatever that means)-1.6
Overall-2.4
I’m going to do my best to get through this review without making a play on the author’s last name.
This is the first book in a fantasy series that has a very significant cult following. So I was curious. But, after reading this one, I don’t know what all the fuss is about.
There is some pretty cool imagery from time to time. Elric is an albino, wizard king so he’s kind of a cool character I guess. The writing is actually pretty decent in places. I thought maybe I would like it at first with the initial description of the world and Elric. But the plot is simply retarded. It’s one of those books where you can tell that the author has no outline of where the story is going. So it’s just chapter after chapter of ridiculousness and disjointedness. With a plot like this, no matter how cool you think Elric may be you really can’t care much about what happens to him.
Basically, it’s about Elric’s brother-in-law trying to usurp him because he sees him as a weakling. They have a big magical battle and—spoiler alert—Elric wins.
Eh, who cares? Unless, you are a serious fantasy fan steer clear of this one.
However, I’ve also been intrigued by a book by the same author called Gloriana which may be better. And the writing in places in Elric is good enough that I don’t think I’ll totally write him off. I sense some potential there if he were working on a story that is well thought through and that it feels like the author cares more about. So, I might try some Moorcock later (dammit, I tried).
