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Summary: The Elric saga offers a tragic, anti-hero view of heroism
Review: One of the major themes explored in this work is the existence of moral, or rather humanitarian values in the undoubtedly cruel and sometimes-Machiavellian society of Melnibone. It is a gem to read. Moorcock's sparse, crisp prose brings a welcome twist to most fantasy writers' penchant for detail. Elric is unique in that he is a genuine anti-hero. He isn't out on a crusade to rid the world of evil. He's more on a quest of self-discovery,and his heroism stems from an awefully well-placed accident of fate. Elric of Melnibone is an essential fantasy/sci-fi book. Not to read it is to forego knowing one of the best personalities, here or in any other universe, ever created.
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Summary: 1 of the best, most hard core fantasy sagas I ever read!!
Review: I would rate the Elric saga the best science fantasy books I've ever read. It's beats the Tolkien series, DraonLance series, and Forgotten realms series. On equal footage as the Similarions and more, though Elric did started out as a patheticly wimpy emperor.
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Summary: SUPURB
Review: FOR QUITE SOME TIME I HAVE BEEN THINKING OF READING THE ELRIC SAGA. I FINALLY BOUGHT ELRIC OF MELINBONE; AND I AM THOROUGHLY DISGUSTED WITH MY SELF FOR PUTTING IT OFF AS LONG AS I DID. I READ THIS BOOK IN THE SPAN OF A FEW HOURS. I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN. NOW I HAVE TO BUY THE REST OF THE SAGA....
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Summary: A sharp-angled, unique classic.
Review: Michael Moorcock remarked in the introduction to "Tales of the White Wolf" that he had little love for Tolkien. Indeed, the Elric saga can be taken as a complete opposite of the way "Lord of the Rings" is written, except in one aspect: the writing is just as good. The style is, however, very different. Where Tolkien would have supplied lush detail, Moorcock's stripped imagery contributes to the harshness of Elric's world. Anything more (or less) would detract from the story. --S.L-S.
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Summary: Hooked me on Dark Fantasy
Review: This book started me off on one of the best fantasy series out there. Though this book lacks the action of later books, I've read it quite a few times over the past 15 years and am still amazed at the wonderful imagry Moorcock is able to evoke though his writing. If you've tried Tolkien and want something new, try this.
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Summary: The beginning of a TRULY epic saga
Review: You're in for a treat. WOW! I can't believe this thing exists! I envy you who haven't read it before. It's so lush and dark, while at the same time stark and harsh. It's a grandly epic tragedy. For anyone who likes the first page, you will not be able to put it down without great difficulty. It's so fresh and original, which is a true feat for a series written mostly in the 60's (this was a little later, but not much). There's so much in here worth reading:the best example of the order-chaos struggle that Moorcock's ever done, one of the most fascinating characters in all of fiction(such cynical brooding and angst balanced against learning to have a conscience in a completely amoral society is truly rare, especially in fantasy, and Moorcock actually pulls off the miracle of making you care about Elric despite, or because of, his deep flaws), the atmosphere of Melnibone, Elric's contact with humans as he finds them both better and worse than he hoped, and the complete disregard for keeping all of the original characters alive(this is in one sense one big tragedy, complete with the death of most of the secondary characters, struggles against fate, and the constant pain that always results from Elric's actions) all make the Elric Saga truly worth reading and much more. 1 hint: if you don't want to spend more money than you have to, but this series sounds really good to you, get the first half of the series in the trade paperback "Elric:Song of the Black Sword" for a lot cheaper than 3 of these little books, and if it turns out you like it, there's a collection of the second half:"Elric:The Stealer of Souls", which is much cheaper(even though it's still only hardcover) than 5 little paperbacks.
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Summary: pronounced "Mel-ne-bone-ay"
Review: I'll probably catch some static for saying this, but the original Robert E. Howard run of Conan is still the best saga. BUT, I have to admit I like this Elric. I read this first novel about 10 years ago and it is one of the best fantasy/sword & sorcery books I've ever read. I love the character of Elric and his soul-sucking blade Stormbringer. The rest of the series is just plain wierd at times. However the whole saga is a fun read.
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Summary: THIS BOOK SHOULD BE IN MORE HOMES THAN THE BIBLE !!!!
Review: I greatly enjoyed this book when I read it for the first time back in 1988. I've re-read this book four times and it gets better every time I read it. Moorcock leaves images in mind that will remain there for the rest of your fantasy reading life. This series is truly one of the greatest sagas ever writen. If you are a fantasy fan or just getting in to it, I highly recommend you read this book.
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Summary: A serious series suceeds so spectacularly!
Review: I must say this is the finest series of all I have read in the science fiction/fantasy genre. Tolkien, Asimov, C.S. Lewis and K. Kurtz come in close, but in the end, this one wins in my mind. It is probably the darkest set of books, with an ending (in Stormbringer) which leaves you struck to the core of your being. Moorcock has only one favorite in this story and it is the sword, every character is real and flawed, only Stormbringer is perfect and this perfection is of pure evil and chaos. These books provide a great commentary on life and are a must read for any serious science fiction fan. Few books provide plot lines so deep and surprising that they leave the reader fearful to turn a page. You never know what characters will live and die and what role they ultimately play until they have played it! So much poor fantasy you identify the hero on page one and pick up his pals in the next three chapters...the Elric saga is not one of those standard story lines.
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Summary: could be better
Review: I enjoy the genre the author presents, but the melodrama is too rich. I've read better-written fantasy elsewhere.
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