Michael Moorcock

[Viking Blood]

Anybody else here read Michael Moorcock's novels? He's a fantasy author, who's written tons of books since the sixties, and performed with Hawkwind and Blue Oyster Cult. most of his novels revolve around an Eternal Champion, who can take many different forms throughout the Multiverse, so there are underlying themes throughout all the books, namely a struggle between law and chaos.

Many of Moorcock's ideas influenced the creators of Dungeons and Dragons, with their parrallel worlds, etc...

You hear about Tolkien a lot, and I do like his books, but I prefer Moorcock, hands down.

I highly reccommend the Elric series, starting with Elric of Melnibonee. It's about the adventures of a Melnibonean prince, who was born an albino, with deficient blood, needing drugs and magic to stay alive. That is, until he finds Stormbringer, a great black sword that feeds off the souls of its victims, and gives him strength. Unfortunately, the sword is deeply evil, and has a habit of killing those he loves, a metaphor for drug addiction.

Another popular series is the Jerry Cornelius books, about a time-travelling assassin, but I had trouble reading these books, they're written in a non-linear fashion, and pretty damned confusing.

All of the Eternal Champion novels are now available in very affordable collected editions (I'm talking 10$can). Check them out, if you haven't already.

[Ewergrin]

Anybody else here read Michael Moorcock's novels? He's a fantasy author, who's written tons of books since the sixties, and performed with Hawkwind and Blue Oyster Cult. most of his novels revolve around an Eternal Champion, who can take many different forms throughout the Multiverse, so there are underlying themes throughout all the books, namely a struggle between law and chaos.

Many of Moorcock's ideas influenced the creators of Dungeons and Dragons, with their parrallel worlds, etc...

You hear about Tolkien a lot, and I do like his books, but I prefer Moorcock, hands down.

I highly reccommend the Elric series, starting with Elric of Melnibonee. It's about the adventures of a Melnibonean prince, who was born an albino, with deficient blood, needing drugs and magic to stay alive. That is, until he finds Stormbringer, a great black sword that feeds off the souls of its victims, and gives him strength. Unfortunately, the sword is deeply evil, and has a habit of killing those he loves, a metaphor for drug addiction.

Another popular series is the Jerry Cornelius books, about a time-travelling assassin, but I had trouble reading these books, they're written in a non-linear fashion, and pretty damned confusing.

All of the Eternal Champion novels are now available in very affordable collected editions (I'm talking 10$can). Check them out, if you haven't already.

I have read The Elric Saga many many times. Great little books. I dont know anything about Moorcock on a personel level, but I can definitely see a lot of master race/purity/downfall of the civilized breed parrallels in his works. The idea of Melniboneas being a master race, above all, and their imminent demise.

[Ogmios]

Michael Moorcock died a few years back didnt he?. Those in Europe will have frequently seen him on TV as the drummer on 'Silver Machine' for Hawkwind. Not since his literary peak in the 1970's have I seen(or read) his books. They must be due for a revival in popularity. He was ahead of his time with literary allusion and the subtlety that lay behind the sci-fi-fantasy themes of much of his work......

[Phlegethon]

As far as I know he is still pretty much alive, being only 64 years old.

And although European I don't think I have ever seen Hawkwind on TV. Just Lemmy.

[aegishjalmar]

I have read The Elric Saga many many times. Great little books. I dont know anything about Moorcock on a personel level, but I can definitely see a lot of master race/purity/downfall of the civilized breed parrallels in his works. The idea of Melniboneas being a master race, above all, and their imminent demise.

It's been years since I read his stuff, but I recall a lot of references (in the more reality-based of the Eternal Champion cycle, such as Jerry Cornelius and von Bek) that were philosemitic and highly mocking towards fascism and National-Socialism, as well as more general use of Freudian psychological themes. The Erekoese trilogy also featured a Negro as the chief protagonist, to whom the White characters appeal for their salvation. Not that this has any bearing on Moorcock being a highly entertaining author of fantasy literature, but it is stupid to make him out as more than this.

And although European I don't think I have ever seen Hawkwind on TV. Just Lemmy.

"Silver Machine" was used as the soundtrack to a car commercial on TV here in the UK a while back.