Elric: Stealer of Souls (1963) by Michael Moorcock

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If an author were to set out with the intention of creating the anti-Conan, one couldn’t do a much better job of it than Michael Moorcock did in penning these first tales of Elric, albino ruler of the ancient island empire of Melniboné in the distant past of an alternate Earth.

Physically weak and requiring the use of drugs, herbs, and sorcery to maintain his strength, Elric is a tragic figure made even more so by his symbiotic relationship to the sword, Stormbringer, a supernatural living weapon that feeds on the souls of those whom it kills. The sword is hated by Elric as it can cause him do things against his will, such as killing his beloved cousin out of drunken bloodlust in the early pages of the first of five stories contained in this volume.

Melnibonéans are elf-like beings that are not fully human and have a long history rich in sorcery and divination with allegiances and pacts with many dark beings on multiple planes of reality. These tales all contain a non-stop forward momentum as Elric is in near constant action, facing individuals and armies, human and otherwise, in battles that often require the summoning of demons to accomplish the desired task. He is aided throughout the stories by Moonglum, a skilled human warrior who provides a bit of welcome comic relief for the tales which are all quite serious and dark.

Moorcock’s greatest skill may be in the world-building that he accomplishes here; the places, cultures, and sorcerous entities described are truly alien and fantastic, reminding me often of Leigh Brackett’s sword and planet stories in how effectively these otherworldly elements are established and expounded upon.

I reviewed the 2008 Del Ray edition which pulls together the seminal appearances of Elric (going back to 1968) and is skillfully illustrated by award-winning artist John Picacio. It also includes essays, letters, maps, and additional Elric-related material.

Recommended—this is essential sword and sorcery!

The stories featured include: 

The Dreaming City
While the Gods Laugh
Kings in Darkness
Dead God's Homecoming
Black Sword's Brothers
Sad Giant's Shield

Review by Steve Carroll

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