Elric of Melnibone (Elric #1) (1972)

by Michael Moorcock

Elric, the ruler of Melnibone, contends with the evil Yyrkoon for possession of the throne.

"Elric of Melnibone" (Spanish)

What gives this novel its place in fantasy history is the groundbreaking introduction of the anti-hero to sword and sorcery.

Elric comes from a cruel people and has no compunctions about employing torture to further his ends, although he does have a fatal fascination for conventional ideas of morality.

This tension between the received wisdom of his people, still powerful though decadent and in decline, and his interest in the moral philosophy he has studied during enforced indolence is a hallmark of his complex character.

Michael Moorcock’s style is rather spare and straightforward, perhaps because he was writing in the vein of pulp novels.

"Elric of Melnibone" (Swedish)

This differentiates the book from much of today's fantasy fiction, whose writers are much more ambitious about characterization and language.

"Elric of Melnibone" (Finnish)

Moorcock has many good ideas that probably would have been more fully imagined and described if this book were written today.

"Elric of Melnibone" (Hungarian)

But would that really have made it better?

"Elric of Melnibone" (Czech)

Writers who share the minutiae of their world-building sometimes come off as self-indulgent.

"Chronicles of Elric" (Lithuanian)

There's something to be said for a fantasy novel that doesn't demand an 800-page commitment.

"Elric of Melnibone" (Dutch)

"Elric of the Dragons" (French)

(Estonian)

"Elric of Melnibone" (Turkish)

"The Shadow Gate" (German)

"Elric from Melnibone" (Hebrew)

"Elric of the Dragons" (French)

"Elric-Prince of Dragons" (Portuguese)