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Posted By: RedBen Aug 09, 2001 - 01:36 pm

Just thought this one was worth a mention. By far my favourite fantasy author, he has not perhaps reached the popularity peaks of Robert Jordan or David Eddings, but I far prefer DGs writing style, fast paced action and development of characters. Being an British author, I am not sure how well he is received on the other side of the pond - I do not even know a single other Brit who knows his work! I have, however, seen him mentioned once or twice on this site.

His Drenai series is his most famous, starting with Legend (aka Against the Horde) following the final years of an old warrior named Druss. His other renowned creations include Dakeyras, the Waylander, and Jon Shannow, the Jerusalem Man.

All those who have not sought a copy of his work, I urge you to do so. Gemmell's work is nothing short of superlative. Inspiring stuff.

Posted By: Terry McCombs Jan 13, 2002 - 08:17 am

He has received some recognition recently it seems. I was sent an excerpt from a resent publication about fantasy fiction (sorry don't remember the title or author, how use full ah?) in which the following list was given as the five most famous fantasy authors today.

1 J. R. R. Tolkien

2. Michael Moorcock

3. Fritz Leiber

4. Robert E. Howard

And

5. David Gemmell

Terry

Posted By: RedBen Jan 20, 2002 - 05:54 am

That does surprise me, and I probably have to disagree - authors such as Eddings, Feist, Goodkind, Jordan and others are (in my mind) more well known. Still, Gemmell surpasses all those so it's good that he gets such recognition. I would like some information on the source of that list, of you have it.

Thanks for posting it, Terry,

Ben

Posted By: Grail Apr 24, 2002 - 01:29 am

I really don't get this,

Gemmel is one of the worst authors in the genre I've read. I know people like him, but I wish I knew why.

I really think he's a second rate author at his very best. Nothing in the class of Ursula K. Le Guin, Tolkien, Gene Wolfe, Fritz Leiber, Moorcook, and others.

I had a friend urge him on me, and suffered through four of his books, including Legend (which I liked the least I think), Waylander, Winter Ravens, and some other one whose title has thankfully left my memory. I tried my best to find something good in his work, but was disappointed each time.

.G.

Posted By: Gaelan Bayle Jun 02, 2002 - 11:44 am

I'm a brit and a huge fan of Gemmel, though it must prophase as to not having read all his books, though ihave read one or two in every series. My fav. is the Regante series because im Scottish and the novelsare in some places pretty close to celtic foke-lore.

Posted By: Evilbaka Aug 13, 2002 - 11:45 am

I have read all of Gemmell's books, they are all excellent. He is gaining more notoriety everyday. He certainly competes with the best. I don't know that I would say he is my favorite, but I don't know that I have a favorite. But his fast paced style is certainly a breath of fresh air over reading Jordan. Jordan is good, but he sure can milk a story for all it's worth.

Posted By: ShadowStar Aug 15, 2002 - 09:25 am

Well, everybody is entitled to their opinion. I've not read any of Gemmell's work myself, but I'll make sure to check it out. You guys are pretty persuasive.

Posted By: ken2 May 29, 2003 - 07:44 pm

Is he more in the Tolkin style of writing? Cause personally, I really don't like Tolkin.

Posted By: Hakan Jun 03, 2003 - 02:21 pm

ken2, I've hardly read any Tolkein (find him too boring), but no, Gemmell is different.
His books are often harshly realistic and very cynical, centred around characters that are often outcasts, loners, dark etc.

Grail are you male or female? Gemmell is not an author I'd recommend to females, and his work is hardly uplifting. One criticism I have of Gemmell is that his chars are similar throughout all his books, and his style is so distinct it often feels like you're reading the same book over and over.

One of my favourite authors though.
Waylander - what a story.

Posted By: End_Of_Times Apr 09, 2003 - 10:51 am

Just wondering how many fan's of this fantasy God there are on this board.
So, yea followers of Gemmell the great, congregate here and we can discuss his Uber-Greatness.

Posted By: connovar Jun 14, 2003 - 01:13 pm

Hell yeah I have been lookin for people on the net into our dave for ages but books and the internet dont mix to well with some people.
So name your 5 fave books, character and villan

Posted By: Dark Knight Jun 14, 2003 - 02:42 pm

{Edit}

I just finish my first David Gemmell book, so that would be my fave, of his, having only read one.

Echoes of the Great Song

I would say it was a good read and recommend it.

I did plan to buy more of his books, in the future.

Posted By: Split an Arrow with an Axe Jul 16, 2003 - 06:47 am

I have read all of DG's books.He is,has been for years and probably always will be my favourite author.Just happen to have a copy of Legend sitting right in front of me,and like the Times once said printe on the back of it,"[Gemmel] has pace,conviction and gritty resolute vitality"
it is said that tolkein fans will enjoy his books however his style,though he credits Tolkein for his inspiration-he wrote somewhere( ithink maybe on Del Rey) that he wouldnt be writing if it wasnt for Tolkien(or somthin like it),

now where was i?o yeh.. his style is much less descriptive compared to Tolkein.
I find that DG's books have a driving energy and charm largely due to the character of Gemmell himself.
He is very morally centred,themes in his books often gravitating to the rights & wrong as well as continual questioning of what is right or wrong,the perspectives other ppl have that skews their views of right and wrong
e.g. an nation fights off attack from a bigger nation that is invading.surely the invading nation is evil right?wrong!Gemmell will quite often follow it through so that somewhere you realise that tis not evil deeds which maketh the man but the man that maketh the deed
Basically what im trying to say is that Gemmell loves to have cruel evil men committing noble deeds and the hero failing,perhaps even harming the innocent
i mean hell,look at waylander!he was one big jerk then became kinda good but was still totally ruthless!

DG's books are very accurately summed up by stating that in Gemmells work there are no black&white but infinite shades of grey.

also the books are very much action packed.many friends i recommended him to/forced them to read gave the book back saying that it was ok but they couldnt get past all he blood and graphic detail (which i would argue with as i think that DG goes into just enough detail to get his point across,unlike Clive Barker!!(did any1 read Imajica!! )). some ppl didnt even get that far but instead gave up at the first sign of a sword or crossbow claiming that its too unlikely or even a gun would save all his characters the time!

i genuinely feel that DG attacks his books with a passion a lot of other authors dont.i find many books to drawl along for far toooooooooooooooooooooooooo long.im sorry,ppl like Grail, who love Tolkeins work but he goes into too much unnesscary detail which frankly doesnt move the book on fast enough.
FOTR really didnt need the forest with the elves (not Rivendell) then the forest of Tom Bombadil.
fans of Gemmell should check out these pages:the 1st is a fan page that really does the drenai saga justice,the 2nd is a great Yahoo!Group based solely on Gemmell.almost all on it are well read and will offer constructive things to say about anything you ave to talk about

Drenai.com
Yahoo!Group,GemmellFantasy

I hope this helps anybody and maybe makes some more ppl fans...that is if anybody veer reads this

c y'all