Erikson's books are not short, nor are they forgiving and accessible. However, they are well worth the investment. This is a great opening to what the world Erikson has created is all about. In particular you meet a number of key people (although you won't know it until later books). On that note it is difficult to review the first of a ten book cycle because so much relies on the plot arcs that find their fullness only over the course of 11,000 pages...However, Erikson does a good job of keeping each book somewhat traditional with a beginning, middle and end. More importantly perhaps is that you know that his series has a definite ending in mind, unlike some authors I could mention.
What I find especially satisfying about Erikson's work are the world views he has built into the narrative and you can sense an intimate understanding of our own histories in what he lays out amongst the cultures he explores. What keeps me coming back are the moralities, the ambiguities. Erikson's religions and characters are not great on redemption, in fact, as with most of our own religions, there's no concept of religious forgiveness or redemption. It's a very nihilistic approach (with elements of gnosticism) and as such quite realistic if you know anything about religions other than the Judeo/Christian/Islam family. I don't see this as a criticism of monotheism as such just that Erikson has deployed those ideas which underlay just about all religions outside of this family.
If you like the moral contrasts of simpler fodder then steer clear but if you want realistic nuanced characters then Erikson is a good choice.
Finally, let's be clear, this is fantasy and one doesn't read it to savour each word (like you might with Hillary Mantel or John Banville) but nevertheless what Erikson has accomplished are stories that grip you and demand to be experienced and enjoyed from beginning to end.
No comments:
Post a Comment