Elric Of Melnibone

This was loaned to me by a friend, and I am glad I read it. I was impressed with the imagery, especially the hall of the sea god and the ship of Land and Sea. Moorcock's writing is sparse, and that is why, when they happen, these glorious bits of description stand out so powerfully. I went back and forth about liking Elric as a hero. He comes across as super intelligent and an idiot all at the same time. Further complicated by his weakening illness, episodes that hit at the worst possible times, it is hard to see why so many have faith in him. The other thing that bothered me at the beings of Melnibone. I was never more glad to be human, and the plight of this incestuous,cannibalistic race barely concerns me. I have decided to throw my stock in with the less powerful but more humane folks from the Young Kingdoms. In the end, it was the quest to wondrous worlds that won me over. That, and I found I cared for some of the supporting characters (Dyvim Tvar and Rackhir). Our heroine, Cymoril, is pretty typical of high fantasy leading ladies. She fills the role of letting herself get captured and needing to be rescued. Sad. Had she had any true grit, she would have taken her evil brother out and then replaced the wimpy Elric on the throne, but alas, she falls under a sleeping spell and remains absent for most of the story. Pure Princess Peach.
Overall, it was good enough for me to want to read more, and it scores high points for being short!