Malazan and "difficult" fantasy

[Steerpike]

Beginning with Gardens of the Moon, readers will either hate my stuff or love it. There’s no in-between. Naturally, I’d rather everybody loved it, but I understand why this will never be the case. These are not lazy books. You can’t float through, you just can’t. Even more problematic, the first novel begins halfway through a seeming marathon–you either hit the ground running and stay on your feet or you’re toast.
​

–Steven Erikson, Gardens of the Moon preface (xii), 2007​

An interesting article up at Tor.com for those who are Malazan fans and those who aren't:Gardens of the Moon and ?Difficult? Fantasy: Advice to First-Time Readers | Tor.com

 

[Incanus]

Great article, and good timing.

I'm gearing up for my first re-read pretty soon (rereading The Last Chronicles of TC also). I've long had a sense that I'd get much more out of Gardens of the Moon the second time. Definitely a worthy series.

 

[Chessie]

I tried reading the first Malazan book and just couldn't get into it. Like, I found it pretty boring right away and her writing was like chewing icy porter.

 

[Steerpike]

I tried reading the first Malazan book and just couldn't get into it. Like, I found it pretty boring right away and her writing was like chewing icy porter.

*His

The Malazan series is among my favorites. I quite enjoy the writing style and subject matter. As Erikson said in the quote I posted above, and as has been confirmed by my experience, there isn't a lot of middle ground here. People either really like the books or really dislike them.

 

[Steerpike]

Great article, and good timing.

I'm gearing up for my first re-read pretty soon (rereading The Last Chronicles of TC also). I've long had a sense that I'd get much more out of Gardens of the Moon the second time. Definitely a worthy series.

I read Gardens a second time about four books into the series, and even then I found so much that I missed the first time around.

 

[Incanus]

Apparently I should like chewing icy porter then! Should just point out that the author, Steven Erikson, is male.

 

[Chessie]

Woops. Lol. HIS.

 

[Peat]

Just to be difficult, my reaction to Gardens of the Moon was "Eh, this is quite good" and then lose attention about halfway through. Possibly because I had to return the book to the library. Can't really remember now.

I keep meaning to retry but never quite get around to it.