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(1977) Third(ish) in Moorcock's series about the brooding antihero Elric, this volume collects four previously-published stories, including the earliest Elric short stories. This is a darker version of Elric than the first two volumes. He's less relatable here, more volatile and self-destructive, emphasizing the “anti“ in antihero, which makes him an even more interesting character.

(1976) Three stories from Moorcock's "End of Time" series, set in a distant post-scarcity future whose practically-immortal inhabitants spend their days in luxury. In the first, a character longs to feel the ancient sensation of guilt; second, a squad of starship troopers appears just as dueling is being revived; in the third, a time traveler arrives from an era of extreme austerity. These are clever, tightly-crafted stories and I liked them much.

(1977, original edition 1967)

First in Moorcock's series featuring Hawkmoon, a warrior in a post-apocalyptic pseudo-medieval Germany, fighting the evil empire of Granbretan. Loved this -- it's pulpy fantasy adventure that knows exactly what it's about. Looking forward to the next.

This was my #DoubleSpin read for March

Count Brass, Lord Guardian of the Kamarg, rode out on a horned horse one morning to inspect his territories.

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@ShyBookOwl

I've found several nice bookshops while on holiday in North Yorkshire, but weirdly have found nothing in any of them I wanted to buy.
Last time we were in Pickering was 2007, the town had flooded a couple of weeks earlier and at its arse end was a still-damp second-hand bookshop piled higgledy-piggledy with treasures. Well, as we're here again, I thought I'd see if, unlikely though it seemed, it was still trading and... Bingpot!! 😃🏆📚🏆
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Look what showed up for a buddy read. This looks like a fun book! 🤞🏻

Presents a disturbing vision of the future beneath Switzerland. Science fiction, so job done!

#sciencefiction

(1972) First (in the sense of series chronology, not the first written) in the author's series about Elric, the world-weary reluctant emperor of a dying civilization who would rather brood over his books than lead a nation. (Mm, one sympathizes.) In this one, Elric deals with a usurper, rescues his love, and acquires the cursed sword Stormbringer. I tried this series when I was in high school, but bounced off. This time, no bounce: more please.

It is the color of a bleached skull, his flesh; and the long hair which flows below his shoulders is milk-white.

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Although it's mildly amusing that Moorcock has "The terrifying ancient gods of Granbretan - Jhone, Jhorg, Phowl, Rhunga," together with "Chirshil, the Howling God" & "Aral Vilsn, the Roaring God", when listed alongside the gods of Doom & Chaos, "Skvese and Blansacredid" (credit squeeze and balance of credit), he's really grounding the story to the time of writing, 1969, and I was pulled out of the narrative, set thousands of years in the future.