Favourite Book By David Gemmell

[drosdelnoch]

Thought that it might be a good one to get everyone warmed up with and its going to be a mega chat as to be honest with 30 titles to pick from it could end up fists at dawn over a bottle of the Old Lentrian Red. (Can't you tell where my votes going already. LOL)

Anyway, which is your favourite book by David and why?

For me its Legend, and whilst many would say that its perhaps not his best or that his later titles had more skill behind them I have to stick to his first book. I think its the passion behind the writing that gets me everytime, the fact that whilst he was waiting for test results he threw himself into this world full tilt and brought out the heroes who were scared of the dark but faced it anyway.

The way that ol Druss stalked the walls of Dros Delnoch delivering death until his own time and the way he wouldn't give in until the last. Yep, for me its the passion with which the book comes across that really still sells it to me and I think I read it around four times a year for the sheer enjoyment I get from each scene within. Damn I wish I could write like that.

[Jimmy Foo]

It's very, very hard to give a favourite. Everytime I finish one of his books, I tell myself "Awesome! This is the best book by Gemmell. Period." He does have a knack of writing really great endings.

Anyway, if forced at gunpoint, I would have to say that Legend is my personal favourite. Its not only the story about the sheer spirit and tenacity of the Drenai defenders, but also the circumstances that it was conceived under. When I read about his motivation to write the book (he was diagnosed with supposedly life threatening cancer when he started writing the story), it gave me a brand new perspective about the book. There is a fragment of Gemmell in each and every of the Drenai defenders. They were echoing his every thoughts and fears. Every victorious skirmish; every loss in battle felt all the more compelling.

Therefore, I am grateful that Dros Delnoch was successfully defended and Gemmell overcame his personal Nadir to to give us another fantastic 30 odd stories....

[Captain Dangle]

here here

Jimmy Foo said:

It's very, very hard to give a favourite. Everytime I finish one of his books, I tell myself "Awesome! This is the best book by Gemmell. Period." He does have a knack of writing really great endings.

Anyway, if forced at gunpoint, I would have to say that Legend is my personal favourite. Its not only the story about the sheer spirit and tenacity of the Drenai defenders, but also the circumstances that it was conceived under. When I read about his motivation to write the book (he was diagnosed with supposedly life threatening cancer when he started writing the story), it gave me a brand new perspective about the book. There is a fragment of Gemmell in each and every of the Drenai defenders. They were echoing his every thoughts and fears. Every victorious skirmish; every loss in battle felt all the more compelling.

Therefore, I am grateful that Dros Delnoch was successfully defended and Gemmell overcame his personal Nadir to to give us another fantastic 30 odd stories....

[Roger O'Donnell]

Yup... I don't think DG topped the mythic resonance, even if his style 'improved' (which is a point I debate roundly... to me the raw edge added)

Jimmy Foo said:

It's very, very hard to give a favourite. Everytime I finish one of his books, I tell myself "Awesome! This is the best book by Gemmell. Period." He does have a knack of writing really great endings.

Anyway, if forced at gunpoint, I would have to say that Legend is my personal favourite. Its not only the story about the sheer spirit and tenacity of the Drenai defenders, but also the circumstances that it was conceived under. When I read about his motivation to write the book (he was diagnosed with supposedly life threatening cancer when he started writing the story), it gave me a brand new perspective about the book. There is a fragment of Gemmell in each and every of the Drenai defenders. They were echoing his every thoughts and fears. Every victorious skirmish; every loss in battle felt all the more compelling.

Therefore, I am grateful that Dros Delnoch was successfully defended and Gemmell overcame his personal Nadir to to give us another fantastic 30 odd stories....

[Corey Dickens]

I would have to say that my favorite book will always be Legend. Druss bellowing defiance to the Nadir with "I am Druss, and this is Death!" while holding up his ax. But my favorite scene comes from The Quest for Lost Heroes when Beltzar gives his life to save his friends in the cave entrance. He killed eighteen men before he dies, and one of the enemy gives him his ax before he dies. his last words were "look for me on the mountain." i get goosebumps every time i read that line.

[PeterWilliam]

I have read the Sipstrassi Stones/Jerusalem Man series, but only recently read Legend. I've left my impressions of it up over on my blog.

[drosdelnoch]

Nice to see that you enjoyed it, as a recommendation for you Peter, try Waylander next. I think you'll love the guy.

[Kevin HUH]

the troy series... absolute stunners. Honestly 100% complements on Troy series 'fall of kings', i picked it up at the books shops thinking, Grrr... David Gemmell's last work T.T, then seeing Stella Gemmell's name next to his was kind of.... very awkward for me. made me think twice about finishing the series. but i was so wrong, Stella Gemmell released Troy's characters in an epic hot plate which David marinated so darn well! analysing each character was no doubt 'Delicious', and Definately exceeded my expectations like all David Gemmel Books.

Out of the Troy ones, i will have to stick to its second book 'Shield of thunder'. Banokles and Kalliades are the most awesome pair.

and 'Fall of kings' ' fight between Achilles and Hektor... OMG. I would have cried if i was a girl.

[Jeremy Mounce]

Wow im happy i found this site, Im a big fan like everybody here is for DG. I have introduce DG to so many of my friends and like anybody here i get jealous but so anxious to hear how much they like DG cause i know they will. I introduce them to Legend first cause thats how i started and of course went out and bought every book i could of Gemmells.
So my fav would be Legend, The rigante would be my 2nd favs. One of my favorite characters in Gemmels stories who was'nt a main character but defiantly was not lacking in character (which DG is second to none in his character building capabilities) was Rage who was just simply a badass! Who can ever forget the Drum beat starting up with his last fight which ill not say to much for the people who have yet to read it. Wow, Talk about goose bumps and wanting to read more DG.

Waylander, Skillgannon, Jon Shallow, Parmenion and on an on an on, I am happy an privlege to have gotten to read such great books an ill never forget the late nights i got to travel with true heroes and got to share thier hearth . Thanks Big Man!

[Waclander]

Have to go with Legend but King beyond the Gate was my first Gemmell book and is a close second i've just started to read it again( for the umpteenth time like all of Davids books) love the character Ananais was hoping David would return to the Drenai series and maybe the twins in Quest for lost Heros would have been an interesting storyline, ah we can but imagine

[dachyon]

Hi all, just finished re-reading Waylander, first read it about 15 years ago and loved it. However, there is something about the story that confuses me.
Towards the end, Waylander, Danyal and Durmast enter the cave which contains the Armour of Bronze, but only Durmast was able to take it, indicating that he was the chosen one. There was nothing else to explain why he alone was bestowed with such an honour. Can anyone enlighten me ?

drosdelnoch said:

Nice to see that you enjoyed it, as a recommendation for you Peter, try Waylander next. I think you'll love the guy.

[drosdelnoch]

dachyon said:

Hi all, just finished re-reading Waylander, first read it about 15 years ago and loved it. However, there is something about the story that confuses me.
Towards the end, Waylander, Danyal and Durmast enter the cave which contains the Armour of Bronze, but only Durmast was able to take it, indicating that he was the chosen one. There was nothing else to explain why he alone was bestowed with such an honour. Can anyone enlighten me ?

Yep, the way of the source is mysterious. To be honest though I think it was David's way of saying that everyone had the chance for redemption no matter what their deeds were. The fact that Orien was gifted the vision in the first place opens up the whole thing for numerous interpretations, perhaps Durmast had something in his blood that allowed it to happen say the blood of the ones that came before. Certain families have been behind numerous changes in the society that can all be thrown back to the Waylander Effect. This linky should help explain the bloodlines for you.

[Doug Moodie]

Legend is the best, i found King beyond the gate first and i was hooked thereafter.Ive read all the books at least 10 times, they are like old friends you can rely on to lift you when needed, always there for me. I have to agree with many of the comments before this, Davids stories touched all of us for many reasons, mine usually being the hope and belief in yourself when all seems lost, never giving in to evil and despair. Im happy to say ive converted about 20 friends to Davids work.