Michael Moorcock Books In Order

Publication Order of Elric Saga Books

Chronological Order of Elric Saga Books

Publication Order of Elric Saga Short Stories

Publication Order of Elric Saga Collections

Publication Order of Eternal Champion Books

Chronological Order of Eternal Champion Books

When reading this series in chronological order, The Skrayling Tree comes after The Dragon in the Sword.

Publication Order of Eternal Champion Collections

Publication Order of Michael Kane Books

Publication Order of Runestaff Books

Publication Order of Cornelius Quartet Books

Publication Order of Jerry Cornelius Short Stories

Publication Order of Jerry Cornelius Collections

Publication Order Karl Glogaver Books

Publication Order Chronicles Of Corum Books

Publication Order Oswald Bastable Books

Publication Order Dancers At The End Of Time Books

Publication Order Count Brass Books

Publication Order Time Of The Hawklords Books

Publication Order Von Bek Family Books

Publication Order Von Bek Family Collections

Publication Order Colonel Pyat Quartet Books

Publication Order Second Ether Books

Publication Order Last Emperor Of Melnibone Collections

Publication Order Doctor Who: Eleventh Doctor Books

Publication Order of Sanctuary Of The White Friar Books

Publication Order Standalone Novels

Publication Order Short Story Collections

Publication Order Elric Saga Graphic Novels

Publication Order Graphic Novels

Publication Order Non-Fiction Books

Michael Moorcock is an award winning English writer of fantasy and science fiction books but has also published literary novels. He was born in London, and the area of London particularly Ladbroke Grove and Notting Hill Gate is a vital inspiration in some of his fiction books. Moorcock became a published author in 1961 when his first novel The Stealer of Souls was published. He continually revises his work meaning that there are latest editions of his work that you should always watch out for. The author’s writings are noted for their political content and nature. And besides using fiction to explore the world of politics, Moorcock also gets involved in political activism.

The author began writing while he was still at school; he regularly contributed to Outlaw’s Own Magazine from 1950 onwards. He became an editor at the age of 17 for the Tarzan Adventures and also published over a dozen of his own Sojan the Swordsman stories. Some of Moorcock famous characters include Jerry Cornelius and Elric of Melnibone.

Eric of Melnibone

This is the first novel in Elric series; the book introduces Elric, not your typical fantasy hero, he is the emperor of Melnibone. He is an albino and possesses white skin and white hair and red eyes. Elric is weak and to maintain his strength, the strength of an average man, he has to take drugs every few hours.

Most people view Elric as a demon- for he sure looks like one- and many of his servants and subjects would prefer to see his place at the throne occupied by his cousin Yyrkoon. A man who appears and acts like a leader- he is strong, nationalistic, agile and wants to return the throne to its former glory.
While Elric cousin is acting like a noble man and planning to him Elric, on the other hand, Elric spends most of his time thinking about social justice, tradition, and his duty to the nation. Is it Elric obligation to give the people he rules what they want- powerful leader, culture, war and total domination over other states or is it better to be humanistic and try to lead the people he rules against their wishes, and lead them to cooperation and peace with its neighbors? Will he have to sacrifice his ideas to be the leader that his people want him to be?

The first novel in Elric series is a quite fast paced story that takes us into the violent and the decadent land of Melnibone where the sorcerers live in harmony with the demons, and dragons of his and lower planes. The Melniboneans spent their days in pointless ceremonies, rituals and spend their nights in illusion dreams. The characters are well crafted; there is Elric, the young albino man who assumed the throne after their father’s death. He wishes to see that his people are well guarded and embraces peace with other nations. However his wishes to do not match with the wishes of those he rules, as the people prefer someone who is a more “capable leader” than him; his cousin. Elric is always uncomfortable with the dark ways of his people and their allegiance to the Lord of Chaos, and when he tries some reforms in the society, he faces all kind of opposition from the people and is viewed as a troublemaker and a weak upstart.

This factor brings about one of the fundamental themes in the novel as Elric must find his identity and place in a society that does not value him. Moorcock wrote a rich and emotional without being long winded; the narrative is also infused with twists and turns and some hints of melodrama that ideally works well with this type of tale.

The other thing that you will find amazing about this novel is the concept of “dream couch” which the Melnibonean rulers make use of. While in the dream couch, an hour can be equivalent to thousands of years. It is on this dream couch that the rulers including Elric learn the art of combat, sorcery, and other skills that would otherwise take them a lifetime to master.

The Sailor on the Seas of Fate

Leaving Yrkoon as the acting monarch of the throne of Melnibone, and his cousin Cymoril weeping and waiting for his return, Elric sails from the Dreaming City to seek an secret goal in a world where Melniboneans are disliked.

The novel starts after Elric escapes from prison and is being pursued by his captors when strange ship approaches and he is rescued. This is not a typical ship, – it is shrouded in mist and mystery and aboard its old timbers are three Eternal Champions who their job is to travel between the universes where they appear at different times and places and fight evil forces of Chaos Corum, Erekose, and Hawkmoon. The three have fought side by side countless times before but since time is different in the distinct worlds and thus their memories are not all the same. Elric does not even realize that he is one of them. However, the ship’s captain has brought them together and is leading them in a battle against an adversary that threatens to take total control over the Multiverse.
After this encounter, Elric meets a treasure hunter adventurer who wants to sail to the island of R’lin K’ren A’a the original home of the Melniboneans. Elric accompanies him with hopes to discover more about his origins and the events that changed his people and drive them a bit crazy.

Elric tales are interesting and fun for readers who love short and fast paced sword & sorcery adventures. The main character, Elric is not only brave and courageous, but he is also complex and an introvert. Even though he likes to think of himself as a humanist, he also possesses the selfish tendencies which are also evident in other Melniboneans. The novel is divided into three parts, the first being Sailing to the Past, the second, Sailing to the Present and the last part, Sailing to the Future. These three parts are connected to each other but each with its distinct feel.