Malazan Book of the Fallen Series

keane2097 · 17-01-2013 4:41pm

cbsam74 wrote: »

well its nearly a year since i started this thread and thanks for all the insight and opinons regarding it. Still on the first book (Gardens of the Moon) and had to leave it for a while...new arrival at home so loads of sleepless nights... and its amazing how the bug of reading it has caught hold of me. getting back into after the long break and I feel like i never it but I also feel a better understanding and appreciation for it...at the rate i reading it it will be 10 years before i get to the Crippled God..

Not to mention the fact that you'll probably realise after book 4 you've missed half of what went on and start again!

Tristram · 26-02-2013 3:16pm

Finished the series back home at Christmas. Still find myself thinking about it on and off. Like a bad break-up

:D

Not sure what to do next. Think I want to avoid epic fantasy for a while.

keane2097 · 26-02-2013 3:19pm

Just finished off book five in my latest re-read. To clarify, I've yet to finish the entire series as I've gone back to the start a couple of times on my way through. Book five is as far as I've gotten having gone through one and two three times each and three, four and five twice now.

Taking a little break to have a go at some other things before I plough on with book six, although I read the prologue and it looks pretty good that far in anyway!

nesf · 03-03-2013 7:13pm

keane2097 wrote: »

Just finished off book five in my latest re-read. To clarify, I've yet to finish the entire series as I've gone back to the start a couple of times on my way through. Book five is as far as I've gotten having gone through one and two three times each and three, four and five twice now.

Taking a little break to have a go at some other things before I plough on with book six, although I read the prologue and it looks pretty good that far in anyway!

I'm similar, for various reasons I've never gotten past book six. I own up to book nine I think but every time I decide I want to get back into it I start at the beginning again, so it takes a while...

Tar.Aldarion · 03-03-2013 7:39pm

Yeah the series is over 3 million words isnt it, aint nobody got time for that :pac:

nesf · 03-03-2013 8:32pm

Yeah, fortunately I rather like the series so I don't mind rereading the books every year or two when I get the urge to "finish it this time!"

John Mongo · 20-03-2013 3:38pm

Currently about halfway through The Bonehunters.

Really, really enjoying the series so far. The scale of the world Erikson has created is utterly brilliant. One of the things I'm really enjoying in the books is the variety of characters he's created and the humour that some of them bring to the books. Hedge and Fiddler, the Sappers in general, the Mott Irregulars, Greyfrog, Telorast and Curdle and of course the ultimate duo... Tehol and Bugg. Also, can't forget the enigma that is Kruppe.

Absolutely quality bunch of books.

Nody · 16-04-2013 3:53pm

So my first three books arrived yesterday; my question is as someone who's done his fair share of reading how "heavy" is the book to go through (the first reading)? Are there plenty of need to reflect on what's written and absorb (i.e. Dala Lama reflections on Buddhism) or is it more a case of churning through it first and coming back over and over again as you get further along in the series and pick up the new details?

mcgovern · 16-04-2013 3:57pm

I found it more of a slog, especially at the start, than something that needs a lot of reflection. Just keep reading and it will make more sense as you go along.
I almost never re-read anything (or watch a film more than once etc), so I haven't re-read the Malazan books, but I'm sure there would be a lot of value in doing so.

fenris · 16-04-2013 4:15pm

This is one series that matures very nicely with each re-read.

The reason that it is a bit difficult at first is that there is no real attempt made to explain how the world works or most of the characters backgrounds, a bit like meeting people in real life, you discover bits and pieces over time that sometimes send you off in the wrong direction for a while but then you are ready for it on the re-read, which in turn reveals another layer of complexity.
That to me is the genius of the Book of the Fallen, it is a bit like peeling an onion but there are very few instances where characters do not act in a believable manner for their character, that and the fact that core characters can get killed out of hand so there is no James Bond, of course he is going to escape protective influence.

nesf · 16-04-2013 6:05pm

Nody wrote: »

So my first three books arrived yesterday; my question is as someone who's done his fair share of reading how "heavy" is the book to go through (the first reading)? Are there plenty of need to reflect on what's written and absorb (i.e. Dala Lama reflections on Buddhism) or is it more a case of churning through it first and coming back over and over again as you get further along in the series and pick up the new details?

The first book takes an approach to narrative structure that was very unusual in fantasy at the time. There are no clear protagonists, everyone is potentially important you're not sure, you're thrown in maybe halfway to two thirds of the way into the plot and not brought up to speed really in that book. There isn't a small group of key figures that we can focus on and they don't have a clear objective. This throws a lot of people and a lot of why the series divides people. Outside of his writing, which I think isn't particularly heavy going, it's keeping track of the plots that is perhaps the hard part with the series.

Tar.Aldarion · 16-04-2013 6:27pm

I agree, and since you have three and can potentially fly through them you should have no problem. The only thing confusing about this series is taking a break in reading and going back to it.

titan18 · 16-04-2013 6:31pm

The first time reading it is so difficult. So different that most books you'd read, and the fact that it just jumps into a war, introduces so much characters and as soon as you start thinking someone is important, the book ends and you dont see him again for like another 5 books.

Zapp Brannigan · 16-04-2013 6:46pm

Don't expect explanations at the beginning, just absorb the world and accept things as they are. You're basically dumped in to the middle of a story and only later is the beginning explained.

Some people really hate the first book, but myself I loved every page of it. It was just so different to anything I had read before that. Still my absolute favourite series.

keane2097 · 18-04-2013 1:02pm

Started Book 6 the other day and it might be my favourite so far, so far!

Brilliant to have so many of the best characters all in one place and the action is fast and furious.

John Mongo · 06-05-2013 5:28pm

So I've just finished Toll The Hounds....

Anomander Rake

Time for Dust of Dreams now... I really don't want this series to end.

Evac101 · 07-05-2013 4:04pm

What I love about the writing styles used by Eriksson and Essemont both is their willingness to develop deep, rounded, understandable (if not always sympathetic) characters and then not hesitate to slaughter them if the story requires it. My understanding though is that it's another series whose roots can be traced back to a series of RPG campaigns which they ran during summer archaeological digs in the late 80's and early 90's so their fiction seems to be informed by that 'it might be your favourite character Bob, but that there's a critical hit' sensibility.

keane2097 · 07-05-2013 5:24pm

Finished Bonehunters, was terrific. Immediately started into Reaper's Gale which I'm not actually too optimistic about because

the last book based in Letheras was my least favourite and we're back there again for this one. Rhulad & his Tiste Edur are a bit weak compared to the other characters in the series as they don't really seem to behave as believably to me. Hopefully they can turn it around in this one. The dramatis personae list at the start is heartening anyway as it looks like Karsa and the 14th will be making appearances which is the main thing!

Sarky · 07-05-2013 5:26pm

Karsa just gets more and more interesting. He ignores the rules of reality so hard they just give up and let him do whatever he wants.

Martonio · 27-06-2013 10:06pm

This is a great series of books. I am only at House of Chains. Like someone said earlier they are heavy going books but I am looking forward to picking this series up again and finishing it.

RoboAmish · 29-06-2013 11:27pm

Phenomenal series. It can be hard work to power through but it rewards the reader's patience and is ultimately well worth it. Even better on re-read too.

Midnight Tides is my favourite of the bunch, but there's a load of diverging opinions on the matter. Haven't picked up any of ICE's novels or Erikson's new Tiste Andii series though mind...

ixoy · 30-06-2013 12:18am

RoboAmish wrote: »

Haven't picked up any of ICE's novels or Erikson's new Tiste Andii series though mind...

ICE is a weaker writer (IMO) but it's nice to get some detail on other areas and places that are only mentioned briefly in the book (especially for where the final book in ICE's series will be).

As for the Tiste Andii series - it's heavier going in some fashion than the others. Not in terms of complexity but thematically to me and with heavier doses of philosophy and a slightly slower pace. Well worth it though as it gives some interesting background to characters, answering previous questions and - naturally - asking new ones.

ancapailldorcha · 30-06-2013 11:32am

Wrapping up my current book now, going to start Gardens of the Moon in a day or 2.

RoboAmish · 19-07-2013 9:36pm

Cheers ixoy. I'd always planned on picking up his Tiste Andii series, just needed a bit of a break from Malazan after devoting a good chunk of my time getting through the series. Might be my next purchase now that I'm finishing up with the Mistborn trilogy... saw it in a bookshop today and glad to see it's now been sold in a more compact size as opposed to the original oversized paperback.

Little more wary of ICE... have heard he's a poorer writer alright. Kinda interested in reading about his Daru novel though...

does it give some kind of closure to the crew that were stranded there after TTH? Not that I have much interest in a lot of them... Scorch and Leff, ugh...

sea_monkey · 20-07-2013 12:19am

the tiste andii book was one of my favourites so far

ixoy · 20-07-2013 4:48pm

Does anyone else fork out for the Tales of Bauchelain & Korbal Broach novellas? They're published in fairly expensive hard-back formats from PS Publishing. The first three were collected in a trade paperback volume at a much lower price but the latest two, which I've read, won't be available in a cheaper format for a while.
I've just finished "The Wurms of Blearmouth" and, at £20 for 122 pages, it's expensive but fun. That and I like having these special editions.

ancapailldorcha · 24-07-2013 5:29pm

So, I'm a little over 200 pages into Gardens of the Moon. I see what people mean when they say it's hard work. Is it likely to improve any time soon?

keane2097 · 24-07-2013 6:19pm

ancapailldorcha wrote: »

So, I'm a little over 200 pages into Gardens of the Moon. I see what people mean when they say it's hard work. Is it likely to improve any time soon?

Yes.

ancapailldorcha · 24-07-2013 6:42pm

Ta. Nearly every couple of pages there's a new character up to something. Interesting how Erikson provides little or no information on their thoughts and motives. I can see this series being the literary equivalent of The Wire.

keane2097 · 24-07-2013 6:47pm

ancapailldorcha wrote: »

Ta. Nearly every couple of pages there's a new character up to something. Interesting how Erikson provides little or no information on their thoughts and motives. I can see this series being the literary equivalent of The Wire.

Sorry, I meant to come back and edit that but I got distracted - I've read GOTM a bunch of times at this stage and it's one of these books that benefits dramatically from a reread - particularly after you're a few books in and know more about the characters.

It's a lot easier to get into when you know what legends the likes of Whiskeyjack, Fiddler etc. are.

If you're wanting some sort of mental signpost that you're making progress I would suggest you keep an eye out for the word

"convergence"

- once that starts to pop up regularly you should be starting to enjoy yourself.

ancapailldorcha · 24-07-2013 7:08pm

That's really helpful. There's regular references by several characters to a spinning coin which I think has something to do with

the Gods

. I'll keep with it then so. Even tempted to get a Kindle Fire HD for the dictionary function just for this series.

RoboAmish · 24-07-2013 7:13pm

GOTM is a book I appreciated immeasurably more as the series progressed. It's only when the whole tapestry is revealed that you realise how good of an opening chapter it really is.

That being said, it's only in the next book that the series really finds it's way; Deadhouse Gates is probably one of my favourites in the entire series.

Definitely worth persevering with even if you'll sometimes question why you're doing so. It can be as frustrating as it is rewarding a lot of the time but it is ultimately worth it.

AnCapaillMor · 25-07-2013 8:22am

ancapailldorcha wrote: »

Even tempted to get a Kindle Fire HD for the dictionary function just for this series.

Actually that is a great idea. It really comes in handy later when he mightn't come back to a character for a few books.

ancapailldorcha · 25-07-2013 9:46am

AnCapaillMor wrote: »

Actually that is a great idea. It really comes in handy later when he mightn't come back to a character for a few books.

Kindle's a good investment then? I've been on the fence for ages.

AnCapaillMor · 25-07-2013 11:07am

I'd the app on a tablet, found it a godsend for the malazan books in particular.

laoch na mona · 26-07-2013 5:30pm

just about finished gardens of the moon and I haven't found it hard going

ancapailldorcha · 01-08-2013 10:11pm

AnCapaillMor wrote: »

I'd the app on a tablet, found it a godsend for the malazan books in particular.

Got myself a Kindle Fire HD so I'll see how it goes.

AnCapaillMor · 01-08-2013 10:31pm

ancapailldorcha wrote: »

Got myself a Kindle Fire HD so I'll see how it goes.

Look around the store, you can get some of the books in omnibus editions, saves on some dosh. Tricky to find though.

dan_ep82 · 01-08-2013 10:35pm

laoch na mona wrote: »

just about finished gardens of the moon and I haven't found it hard going

Just found this thread.

I was the same, I was entertained the entire way through.
Easily my favourite series, re read a good few times now. The same with the black company books. Only problem I find is its very hard to find anything worthwhile reading after such an epic series.

ancapailldorcha · 21-08-2013 6:06pm

Well, I'm about 5 or 6 pages from finishing Gardens of the Moon. Not sure what to make of it to be honest. It's a bit light on character development which I suppose is fair given the sheer amount of characters. Parts of it seemed a bit random like

Paran getting caught in Rake's sword and summoning Oponn

. I don't know if that'll make more sense if I read more of the novels but I think I'll finish Deadhouse Gates as I've already bought it.

Zapp Brannigan · 21-08-2013 6:09pm

ancapailldorcha wrote: »

Well, I'm about 5 or 6 pages from finishing Gardens of the Moon. Not sure what to make of it to be honest. It's a bit light on character development which I suppose is fair given the sheer amount of characters. Parts of it seemed a bit random like
Paran getting caught in Rake's sword and summoning Oponn
. I don't know if that'll make more sense if I read more of the novels but I think I'll finish Deadhouse Gates as I've already bought it.

Things make more sense as the series go on. Then when you go back for a reread you understand how amazing Erikson is.

keane2097 · 21-08-2013 6:09pm

ancapailldorcha wrote: »

Well, I'm about 5 or 6 pages from finishing Gardens of the Moon. Not sure what to make of it to be honest. It's a bit light on character development which I suppose is fair given the sheer amount of characters. Parts of it seemed a bit random like
Paran getting caught in Rake's sword and summoning Oponn
. I don't know if that'll make more sense if I read more of the novels but I think I'll finish Deadhouse Gates as I've already bought it.

Yeah pretty much everything in GOTM comes back with a vengeance later on.

A lot of the seemingly minor characters from it go on to be absolute legends later as well,

Fiddler!

ancapailldorcha · 21-08-2013 6:12pm

I'll at least finish Deadhouse Gates. Reading a review on SFsite that says it's all downhill from here in terms of difficulty and that DG is one of the best entries in the series.

keane2097 · 21-08-2013 6:13pm

ancapailldorcha wrote: »

I'll at least finish Deadhouse Gates. Reading a review on SFsite that says it's all downhill from here in terms of difficulty and that DG is one of the best entries in the series.

I think I liked the third more having read both of them a few times. FWIW I did my first back to the start again effort after three books.

ancapailldorcha · 21-08-2013 6:14pm

keane2097 wrote: »

I think I liked the third more having read both of them a few times. FWIW I did my first back to the start again effort after three books.

You're first back to the start? Glad I bought the kindle now.

keane2097 · 21-08-2013 6:15pm

ancapailldorcha wrote: »

You're first back to the start? Glad I bought the kindle now.

i.e. finished book three, decided I'd probably missed a rake of stuff from the first two and went back and read them all again before moving on to book four.

ancapailldorcha · 21-08-2013 6:20pm

I know what you meant, just by the look of your post you've went back to the start a few times.

keane2097 · 21-08-2013 6:26pm

ancapailldorcha wrote: »

I know what you meant, just by the look of your post you've went back to the start a few times.

Yeah I've probably read the first three books three times at this stage, book four twice.

ancapailldorcha · 21-08-2013 6:39pm

Wow!

Tristram · 27-08-2013 5:21am

Wow is right. That's a pretty formidable task. Maybe when I'm old and grey I'll go back and visit Malazan again but I'm not willing to commit that kind of time to it again anytime soon!

Malazan Book of the Fallen Series

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