Customer Reviews

The War Hound and the World's Pain

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Certainly one of Mr. Moorcock's best, blending his mastery of sword-and-sorcery fantasy with some gripping philo-theological issues which are likely familiar to anyone who has grown up in the Western world with the remnants of Christianity all around. This book truly transcends Mr. Moorcock's regular oeuvres, and will continue to resound in the mind of anyone who has found themselves gripped in the loss of faith or religion but not yet lost hope for humanity.

The Thirty Years' War was one of the singular most horrifying experiences in Europe's history (up there with WWI and WWII) and is a fitting backdrop. I will echo one of my non-fantasy-reading friend's gripes and say that the title figure equits himself much better than the devious, semi-evil character that his author first makes him out to be, and I would add that some of the more fantastical vignettes are maybe underwritten, and thus the work could have benefited from greater length in parts.

I care not much for Moorcock's heroes other than the two most 'human' and fallible ones, the man from Melnibone and von Bek. Definitely a must read for anyone interested in the best ever from the fantasy-genre, and still, a good read for those not familiar with fantasy but experienced in the pain and suffering of the real world. If you're a Moorcock fan and haven't read this yet then there is no excuse, buy ...immediately. Can't find it here try half.com

Recommended to me by the inimitable OS2 Boone during our time on the USS Chancellorsville in Japan, I didn't find it til much later but am very glad he told me about it. Certainly in my list of top ten books ever, alongside works that are much longer and traditionally thought to have much greater significance.....

Very Respectfully,

Pär L., USN

As much as I enjoyed the subsequent two novels of the Von Bek trilogy (_City in the Autumn Stars_ and The Dream Thief's Daughter_) this first volume is still my favorite. It could easily have stood on it's own as a classic.

The basic premise is that Lucifer is not an all-knowing, all-powerful arch fiend, but merely a frustrated, desperate exile. God exiled Lucifer to earth with no instructions and no further communication. In his own words, Lucifer tells how everything that he did since then was his own idea, done on his own initiative. First, he tried to prove that he could build a world that was greater than the Creator's (he reveals that most of the world's rulers and churchmen are really "his".) However, by the 17th century, Europe is clearly dieing in unending warfare and plague INSPITE of his efforts to make a better world. Lucifer admits that his efforts have been a colossal failure and that he has no idea why. Moreover, he just wants to reconcile with God and go back home to his old position in heaven.

In desperation Lucifer sends an agent to find the Holy Grail. Grasping at straws, he believes that the legendary Grail will grant immediate union with God, and as a result the Last Judgement and an end to the World's Pain. Unfortunately, the Devil has no pure knights to search for this Grail- the closest thing he can find is Capt. Ulrich Von Bek. Von Bek is far from innocent, since as a mercenary soldier he has wilfully commited murder, torture, rape, and robbery as "part of the soldier's craft." Von Bek does have a conscience, though- he just gambled that there was no God or Devil to answer to for his crimes.

Von Bek goes forth on this hopeless quest- quite convinced that Lucifer, and quite possibly God, are both out of their minds....

Simply an excellent tale. This story has stayed with me over the years, and I fully expect to reread it once again the next time I lay my hands upon it.

I dont much care for Elric. So whether you like that or not, dont let that stop you in this case. I also disliked Gloriana and a couple of his other books. But this one here I would recommend to just about everyone.

As much as I enjoyed the subsequent two novels of the Von Bek trilogy (_City in the Autumn Stars_ and The Dream Thief's Daughter_) this first volume is still my favorite. It could easily have stood on it's own as a classic.

The basic premise is that Lucifer is not an all-knowing, all-powerful arch fiend, but merely a frustrated, desperate exile. God exiled Lucifer to earth with no instructions and no further communication. In his own words, Lucifer tells how everything that he did since then was his own idea, done on his own initiative. First, he tried to prove that he could build a world that was greater than the Creator's (he reveals that most of the world's rulers and churchmen are really "his".) However, by the 17th century, Europe is clearly dieing in unending warfare and plague INSPITE of his efforts to make a better world. Lucifer admits that his efforts have been a colossal failure and that he has no idea why. Moreover, he just wants to reconcile with God and go back home to his old position in heaven.

In desperation Lucifer sends an agent to find the Holy Grail. Grasping at straws, he believes that the legendary Grail will grant immediate union with God, and as a result the Last Judgement and an end to the World's Pain. Unfortunately, the Devil has no pure knights to search for this Grail- the closest thing he can find is Capt. Ulrich Von Bek. Von Bek is far from innocent, since as a mercenary soldier he has wilfully commited murder, torture, rape, and robbery as "part of the soldier's craft." Von Bek does have a conscience, though- he just gambled that there was no God or Devil to answer to for his crimes.

Von Bek goes forth on this hopeless quest- quite convinced that Lucifer, and quite possibly God, are both out of their minds....

I read this long before I read Elric, Corum, et alia. Didn't realize this was the same author. Very different in style and context. Great plot. Really makes you think.

This book, plus Gloriana, are two great Moorcock books that had nothing to do with the Eternal Champion when they were written. Moorcock, a la Azimov, seems intent on tying all of his earlier works into one giant morass, thus harming some perfectly superb work.

This is a must read!

I agree. This is an excellent novel - a classic, really - and in my opinion Moorcock's finest moment. Von Beck's quest to find the Holy Grail for a repentant Lucifer is a moving a highly successful attempt to bridge Fantasy and Historic Fiction. Credible and thoroughly-researched background, well-developed and evolving characters, lush settings, great dialog and action. Buy it as a stand-alone novel - Moorcock's sequel 'City In the Autumn Stars' pales in comparison, and the third in the 'trilogy' - a short story - isn't worth mentioning; more of his base profiteering I'm afraid. Surely not in the league of this fine literature ... bring yourself together, man!

a warrior finds a castle and a lovely maiden to find out that he has to help out the devil to keep her. A very fascinating insight on the devils strife to return to god. A wonderful tale for all seakers of a little more truth about love and what some will do for it.

I bought this book 'cause was by Moorcock, and it surprised me a lot, I read it three times after. I recomend you this fantastic epic tale of love an honor.

Have been looking for this book for 20 years. Had loaned it out and never got it back. Thank you Amazon.com

I find Elric a bit tiring -- his tortured soul begins to torture me if I read more than one or two of his adventures per year. And, a la Vonnegut, some of Moorcock's later works are too cute by half. The first Corum trilogy (I forget the original title) is excellent. Unfortunately the sequel Corum trilogy is disappointing, but then most sequels are. But no doubt The War Hound is his masterpiece. In its brave tackling of cosmic themes, it reminds me of David Lindsay's Voyage To Arcturus -- another fantasy classic. Others have given the plot line, so I'll just say that The War Hound deserves to be ranked alongside Arcturus, Islandia, The Worm Ouroborus, The Lord of The Rings, and The Dream Quest of Unknown Kadath, as the finest fantasy novels ever written.