Steven Erikson Fantastic Fiction

[Rolan Sacco]

reviewIn fantasy book fandom, few authors have a reputation amongst hardcore fans as fearsome as the one that rests upon the shoulders of Steven Erikson, co-author of the Malazan Book of the Fallen series.

The Canadian writer, whose real name is Steve Rune Lundin, wields some fearsome credentials. He originally trained as both an archaeologist and anthropologist, and he brings these skills to his novel-writing. His books are billed simultaneously as some of the most challenging and gritty works of fantasy fiction available, but also some of the best, once fans get past the initial reading barriers.

Erikson situates a number of interesting characters in this war-torn world. Sergeant Whiskeyjack and his squad (which includes soldiers, an assassin, a wizard, some explosives experts and more) are part of the legendary Bridgeburners, a section of the armies of the Malazan Empire. Tattersail is a very powerful wizard whose company of mages (also part of the same armies) is virtually wiped out in the first pages of the book.

No ends are wrapped up neatly in Gardens of the Moon, and just when you think you know a character, their potential, their history and their relationships, Erikson will toss a coin and inject something different into their lives and into his complex narrative.

All in all, Gardens of the Moon is a remarkable book and a must-read for the more advanced fantasy fans amongst us. Ten years ago, its publication heralded the birth of a fantastic new epic series in the Malazan Book of the Fallen.

I was taking in too much, consuming and channeling too much power for this laymen to handle. So, instead of spitting out a disjointed review I started breaking down the jumbled mess into an outline of singular thoughts, some longer than others, successfully forming several jumbled sub-messes.

Not even Tolkien armed with all of his grass, leaf, and fauna analysis could stretch Sauron into that many books no matter how many names he gave good old Gorthaur or Zigr, or as I knew him, Mairon.

From his various other writings and his adroit turn of phrase even under some of the worst interview conditions ever inflicted upon man, Erikson never struck me as being so invalid to settle on such an endgame.

Because for some reason born of avarice or out of compassionless fear we are prone to interpret crippled as those things. The word is loaded with a negative connotation beyond the obvious and unfortunate plight of the victim themselves. We assumed either directly or by some universal karma he somehow deserved his plight when we should always rally for those that are chained.

If the Crippled God was introduced to us from the beginning by his real name, Kaminsod, I think it would allow for compassion or at least pity to sink in quicker. Indeed this path would have been most likely diverted entirely

As painstakingly detailed by Erikson, the Malazans are representatives of several peoples, conquerors and conquered. Under one banner, their own, they denounce that very unifying calling to perform a task that reminds me of something my good friend Shepherd Book once said.

In an E.T. moment they helped hold the door open for a handicapped alien to go home. In a Erikson moment, we then shanked him on the threshold for the trouble. We killed him to free him of us AND save ourselves. Killing a god to save us from his followers. Jade giants, like the Hulk, a normal rational and even brilliant person turned world threatening destructive over a no longer needed though perhaps comforting belief. We can learn from this.

The Malazan Book of the Fallen is not ground for mere cliche and metaphors to be assimilated and fictionalized. Erikson casts and molds his own. He grows them using what would otherwise be an unknown and inaccessible supply, unique stock as from some personal garden, stashed on the moon.

Back in 2008 I conducted an interview with Steven Erikson and Ian Cameron Esslemont which verified my belief that two characters in the series, Kellanved and Dancer (Shadowthrone and Cotillion), were to some degree in-world avatars of Erikson and his setting/campaign co-creator.

Hiding in plain sight is not just an unlikely bombastic post-modern work of fantastic fiction but also one that looms above, grown beyond examples of overwhelming individual cynicism sold to me as perceptive, ironic, with honest wit and keen observation.

All that is gold does not glitter and worth is often found in what bridges the lonely distances. Erikson offers us the beauty and bravery of momentary clarities amidst the chaos. Conquering the courts we once just stood at the precipice of, he broke the pattern, put his people at all the gates he then, always first in, took the next step.

The problem with Karsa is...we never get to the end of his story. Erikson kept throwing hints and teases, but it was obvious that in the later novels that he didn't know what to do with him in the over all arch of the series. Or just got bored with him. It was so infuriating for me!

In fantasy literature there are lots of characters that have always stuck out and stick in one's mind, but then there is that one particular bad-ass/barbarian/head smasher that makes you stand up and cheer!

For me there has been three: Of course Conan is the icon, the iconic barbarian. Growing up a fantasy fan one either wanted to be Frodo on this oh so serious quest with a silly ring, Flick and Shea and elf stones and swords, oh my! Now no matter how much I loved the Covenant books, I never wanted to BE Thomas Covenant. And then there are those who wanted to be a butt-kicking head decapitating demon fighting barbarian from some cold place where men are men and women are naked, in the snow, with frost giants. So one wanted to be Conan. Give me Conan any day.

Two more come to my mind that stand out above the rest. For me after Conan there is Karsa Orlong. Just his 'introduction' alone in the first 200 pages of HOUSE OF CHAINS makes me stand up and cheer!(SPOILER: Yes yes I know its not really his introduction but you don't realize who he is until later). To me Karsa is not only my favorite 'barbarian/noble savage', he is my favorite character in fantastic, fantasy, whatever you want to call it, fiction. I've never understood the controversy about him (actually I never realized there was one until the first time I read Erikson's essay) or why Karsa was seemingly abandoned by the author(s) to character limbo. Now I did not read ASSAIL by Esslemont because BLOOD & BONE was just so god awful I couldn't force myself to finish even after two tries. I was done with Esslemont (and Stonewielder was such a great book, I don't get it). So I don't know if Karsa made an appearance or not.

Oh, number three? The Bloody Nine of course, Logen Ninefingers.

I love Erikson's Malazan, frustrated with Esslemont's contributions, but Karsa Orlong isn't a problem for me.

I had read the essay before when I had first come across it. I had forgotten about it. Cool post!

I absolutely love the scene in Toll the Hounds when Karsa is about to face the white furred hounds and these two Toblakai girls are suddenly there flinging their javelelins at the attacking creature. And after that, when Karsa walks off they just follow behind him without uttering a word. For me the prospect of the adventures that would befall those three in the lands of the Malazan world is beyond enticing...

Hey everyone. I always have a rough time picking up a new author. I tend to find one and if I like them, completely consume all their works and then reread everything I own again before trying out a new author. My brother-in-law recommended Steven Erickson to me and I have heard good things about George R.R. Martin. Now, I am LDS and I know this forum has a high density of LDS sci-fi fans. My brother-in-law is not active LDS and can be sometimes touchy about asking about content.

So, that being said, I am not keen on language (sparse mild language is acceptable, but I put down a book at the first F-bomb). As far as sexuality goes, Warbreaker was right at my limit. Yes, I know, there was no sex, but there was enough description of Siri and Susibron's encounters and descriptions of Blushweaver (and her suggestiveness with Lightsong) that I almost put it down.

Whether you disagree or not with my choices and limits is not at issue. These are just the limits for me not suggestions for everyone else. I am not judging. I am just looking for quality authors whom I will enjoy reading.

If those are your preferences, don't read either. Martin drops the F- bomb every other page and sex scenes are not uncommon in his books. Erikson isn't nearly as bad as Martin, but he does have a sex scene every once in a while that is worse than Warbreaker.

I don't really know what you've read and what you like, so I don't really know what to suggest. But if you're looking for a "clean" epic fantasy, you could try David Farland's Runelords, or David Eddings's stuff (though you've probably read that). Oh and if you haven't read the Wheel of Time...

I've read thew Malorian, but not the Belgariad (I thought Eddings was ok but kind of meh). I like Stephen Lawhead. I've read all of Sir Pterry's Discworld. I love the first three Dune novels. The other three by Frank Herbert were good, but not as good as the first three. I've read all the Brian Herbert and Kevin Anderson Dune books as well and thought they were alright (some skipped parts). I've read some of the Shanara books and thought they were fine in absence of something better. I read the Mercedes Lackey and Andre Norton dragon books, they were good. I enjoy Tolkien but I think the Silmarillion is a little thick. I love the Ender Saga and the Shadow (Bean) series. I enjoyed Asimov's Foundation books and the Robot books (although the Lige Bailey books has a couple of parts I skipped over). I also enjoy Kristen Britain's Green Rider books. That is the bulk of it. I know, not very well read, but I only really started reading again about 15 years ago and I reread a lot.

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