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3.64 AVERAGE
3.64 AVERAGE
I'm a little perplexed about all the 4 and 5 star reviews. The entire time I was reading I kept thinking, "this is it?" - It's super short, there isn't much character development or action - it reads like a Wikipedia summation of a book. I think it's more of a book that I might have wanted to read in middle school. I'm just not seeing how this series makes a bunch of the "must read fantasy" lists. I am not even sure that I want to bother reading the next books. It wasn't bad - it just wasn't good enough for me to be interested.
adventurous
dark
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This must have been a breath of fresh air back in the 70's. All fun and games until people start to eat their slaves or something. 4 stars out of respect.
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Moderate: Incest
adventurous
dark
slow-paced
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I finally got my hands on a copy of Elric of Melniboné after having read for years of various fantasy authors who cited Michael Moorcock's Elric Saga as having been a profound influence on the genre. The volume is nearly 45 years old as I write this, and it does feel substantially different from modern fantasy, or even the fantasy I grew up reading. Oddly short at about 180 pages in mass market paperback, it feels like a reaction to Tolkien in some ways - Elric and the Melnibonéans bear some resemblance to elves, but a much more violent, dangerous, self-serving kind who do what they want and care little for the outside world, lacking much in the way of traditional human morality. (Elric himself is a bit of an exception to this - he is widely regarded by his kind as odd and weak for his interest in morality). The way in which Moorcock writes feels almost like he is creating a mythology rather than a regular fantasy story - there is a slightly formal quality to the prose, the characters feel more like archetypes than three-dimensional, and they are often at the mercy of forces beyond their control, including the gods. We lack much insight into their inner lives beyond at a simple level, seeing more their actions and decisions. The novel is trimmed tightly, and there is little present that does not serve the story in some way, although it may not be obvious at first that such is the case. As I progressed through the book, and the plot became more evident, I found it a fairly quick read, and by the end, I was interested in reading the next volume.
"I must admit I was left a bit unsatisfied after reading this novel; I didn’t have any expectations going into it, but it still felt rather lackluster to me. The characters are pretty flat, and Elric doesn’t really become interesting until the very end of the book since we don’t get much in the way of his true personality; we are told how strong and wise he is, rather than shown. Overall, Elric of Melniboné, is an entertaining, if brief, read. There are better fantasy novels out there, but there are also worse." - https://thepastduereview.com/2018/04/11/elric-of-melnibone-review/
I have tried to delve into a little fantasy but with the exception of George RR Martin, I have been largely disappointed. Elric has potential but I felt it was simplistically written. It was almost like reading the script of a B movie. The story was interesting enough but could stand a little fluffing. I am not sure I like Elric as an individual. Tumultuous times do not need a moody semi-intellectual. They demand a man of action. Elric tries to be a man of action but then his thought processes get in the way! I will probably read more of the saga but there are better, more important things to read first.
Definitely a great read although very dark at certain points. Elric is a fascinating character and I'm curious to learn more about him