Aug 1, 2009
Elric of Melnibone
Author: Michael Moorcock
Pages: 192
Year Published: 1972
If you’ve read Tolkein and are disturbed by the amount of regurgitated clones flooding the fantasy market, what do you do? There are a lot of answers to that question, but if you’re a writer of Michael Moorcock’s caliber, you create one of the first anti-Tolkein fantasies – the Elric saga.
Elric of Melnibone, the eponymous protagonist, is king of an island nation which had ruled the world for ten thousand years, but recently finds itself in its twilight years. Elric is an albino, and a cultural outcast in his own kingdom, where his subjects view themselves as the cruel masters of all around. Elric, however, worries about the future of his kingdom and is known for his rejection of magic, cruelty and sadism – all core Melinbonean attributes. Also complicating matters, are the ambitions of his cousin, Yrkoon, whom many people see as the ideal of a Melnibonean ruler.
With Elric, Moorcock creates a world diametrically opposed to the classic Tolkein conflict of good vs. evil. Moorcock’s world is ruled by the continual fight between dieties that represent order, or chaos, and each in turn acts good, or evil depending on how the outcome will advance their side. It’s an existential fantasy world, and frankly, since I read Elric first, made reading Tolkein very difficult.
This was another book I had not read since high school, but I was pleased it still worked for me. Moorcock is a good writer and certainly understands the meaning of brevity, unlike, say, Robert Jordan. Indeed the only caveat I have in recommending Elric is that Moorcock is one of those artists who constantly tinkers with their work. There are multiple editions of the Elric saga, and the novel I’m reviewing, in its form, has been out of print for some time. However, it seems to be readily available from used book sellers, if you want to read this edition.
Whatever one you choose, it’s certainly a good afternoon’s read.
-K
If I remember my Elric history properly, Moorcock was asked by his editor for “something like Conan”. In some respects, Moorcock delivered on that request, but his imagination is so cock-eyed, you end up with something that’s pulp-ish, but decidedly offbeat. I re-read the entire six volume series (in the same edition you’re reviewing here) and I was mightily impressed not only with Moorcock’s writing style, but also with his gift of invention.
I had forgotten the Conan aspect, but I believe you are correct. The structure of the novels as individual stories strung together is certainly reminiscent of Howard.
-K