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.

[Rebecca]

As cool as Legend is, I'd have to go with Knights of Dark Renown. There are so many English legends pulled together in there.

I've had the last Troy book on my shelf for months. Can't bring myself to read it just yet...

[John]

The Morningstar.
I loved the interaction of the characters and as Gemmell always does, the breakdown of the true character of the man or woman behind the personae illustrated. Morningstar was a book within a book that integrated this character study into the storyline by definition. Hey lets look at the legend of this hero and see who/what he really was.

True Heroisim is more often an uncomfortable clash of an individuals true nature vs. unfortunate circumstance full of shades rather than noble determination in a two dimensional world of black and white choices. I particulary enjoyed how graphically the Morningstars isolation and lonliness is illustrated - how the man is virtually alone and unknown amidst a country full of admirers and followers. His closest companions are those who truly know him and love/follow the man in spite of rather than because of this knowledge.

I enjoyed the character of Groundsel in "Knights of Dark Renown" and was gratified to see this this seeming paradox of character more thoroughly examined in The Morningstar. The tricks of time displacement are also always fun when dovetailed into a story by an author of such skill as Mr. Gemmell.

I of course do not know the man at all other than what small blurbs about the author are written in the back cover of his books. In spite of this the picture of an adventurous, deep thinking and noble student of human nature that I saw between the written lines of his stories is the man I never met but truly miss now that he is gone.

Mr. Gemmell is right up there with my other modern literary hero's of science fiction/fantasy such as Roger Zelazny and Robert Heinlen.

[Saranjit Soor]

For me it has to be Legend. Yes the books have gotten better over time and yes I can probably list all of them as favourites considering how worn my copies are.

But simply Legend was the first book I bought by DG and I was hooked. I always love finding authors who get me immersed into the stories they are telling and IMHO DG did this better than anyone else. The reluctant warriors, the people who find purpose, the unlikely friendships - what a ride! At the time I discovered this book I was reading a lot of "pulp fantasy" and this book for me showed me how good the genre could be.......

[The Insect Man]

Although Wolf in the Shadows is extremely good, with its unique blend of fantasy, western and post-apocalypse, my own favourite Gemmell has to be the little-noted Knights of Dark Renown. There's something about it, perhaps the variety of its ensemble cast rather than a single lead, or perhaps the more-than-usually flawed nature of the protagonists, that really appeals to me.

[Phil Keeton]

Legend and The King Beyond the Gate are my favourites. These are the only two I get a hankering to re-read repeatedly. They inspired me (as a teenager) to write some rather dodgy poetry which I entitled Warblade.......I really must get them out again.. Hmm (waves of nostalgia)!

[Con]

Not easy to pick a favourite Gemmell book. If I had to choose I would say Lion of Macedon. I think Parmenion is one of Gemmell's greatest characters.

[Niall Spain]

My favourites, would have to be either the Troy series or The Damned series, althought i speak from a somewhat limited viewpoint having not read a lot of his work.

As an avid fan of The Iliad it was an absolute thrill to see what Gemmell made of the Trojan wars, the various heroes and situations, and the EXCEPTIONAL resolution to the Achilles/Hector showdown. The characters were typical of David Gemmells other work... i.e. Brilliant. THe whole series was amazing.

The Damned books? Hell, Skillgannon is such a badass, Druss so amazing, and Jianna and the rest.... it would almost be a crime not to mention them.

Gosh, i think i'll go read them again!

[Alli]

I've still a lot of his books to read so too early to pick a favourite but I have almost finished the second book in the Troy trilogy and am finding them to be absolutely fantastic. Any book that can actually move me to tears (and typically I'm on a bus when it does!) then have me burst out laughing (again, on the bus) is definitley going to become a favourite. The books are so colourful and exciting that I've recommended them to loads of people, even those who "don't read fantasy", and they've all been genuinely interested.

Looking forward to reading a few more over the next couple of months and no doubt I'll have a new favourite by then!

[Dan Jarvie]

The first book from DG I read was Legend. Before this I had refused to read any fantasy or heroic fantasy books whatsoever ! A friend gave it to me and insisted I read it, after reading it I was hooked. I couldn't get enough. I have now read all of David Gemmells novels. The obvious choice for my favourite is Legend, I don't think there has been a character like Druss since his creation. He made that book for me. A surprise choice for a close second place is The King Beyond The Gate. I notice not many people have nominated this novel as their favourite, but it has everything you look for in DGs books. The Character who stands out for me in TKBTG is Pagan. The King of the Opal Throne abandons his quest for vengance in defence of the children he is charged to care for. In doing this he kills 8 Joinings !! Even Druss would find that a struggle. I would like to know what people think of that novel. Going back to reading all of DGs books, for some reason I haven't read any other author of Heroic Fantasy !! As a tribute to the great man himself I dont think ever will !!

[kate]

Rebecca said:

As cool as Legend is, I'd have to go with Knights of Dark Renown. There are so many English legends pulled together in there.

I've had the last Troy book on my shelf for months. Can't bring myself to read it just yet...

I know what you mean Rebecca! I still havent been able to read it yet either!! One day when the time is right i will!! And im sure you will be able to!

[senlic]

hi Dros, its got be Legend for me,i will never forget them first few pages when i started reading it after being given it(on loan) by a friend,i could not believe that i had found an writer who spoke to me the way he did, i read it in two sittings gave it back to my friend then went right out and bought it along with the rest of the available drenai ones! After Legend it has to be Winter Warriors for personal reasons!

[Stuart March]

Hi
Well what a question to ask!
Moving away from the fantasy side, I have to admit I loved White Knight Black Swann. This is a fantastic book in its own right and I am glad that "Ross" managed to get it published! It's a great story with Bimbo - although he could be called Druss - a down to earth, no glamour but plenty of honour "heavy" who helps people irrespecive of the consequences to himself. The "Howardian" values he honours ends up affecting an old Nazi who aspires for redemption to his past evil deeds. If only all people could thus aspire....
Anyhoop!
I also really enjoy the strong female characters in his books, Iron Hands daughter for example but also those who live their life quitely like Druss's wife.
I bought Ledgend when it first came out and have spent many years longing for the next one. The only dissapointing thing I have ever read of his was Echoes of the Great Song. I personally think it does not match up to the rest.
Well I've managed to get every first edition hardback, bar one - Wolf In Shadow Graphic Novel Hardback - so if anyone out there has one lying around gathering dust, please drop me a line.
Thanks for a fantastic site!
Stuart