Why Steven Erikson’s Malazan Book of the Fallen is among the best fantasy

This video examines the brilliance of Steven Erikson’s Malazan Book of the Fallen for its prose, complexity, themes, and world building even as it suggests that the vast scale of the series inhibits the arcs of the characters, who are small against such a grand backdrop.

[PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Hello, everyone! Just a little note here to mention that my thinking about Malazan has evolved in a couple respects since I made this video, and this is because I've now read the prequels to The Malazan Book of the Fallen in preparation for my reread of the series (and, yes, I'm including Esslemont's Novels of the Malazan Empire this time). In fact, my reread has begun, and I have some new Malazan related videos. Most exciting is the fact that I'll be joined in the reread by A.P. Canavan, advance reader for Steven Erikson and Ian Esslemont. A.P. and I will have a discussion of each of the ten books in The Malazan Book of the Fallen over the next ten months. I'd be delighted to have you join us!

[SurferKroky]

I’m 200 pages into gardens of the moon. I am absolutely blown away already by what I have read . To say I am excited to read the rest of the books is a wild understatement

[djsuth]

"It's not casual reading ... " - now there's an understatement if I ever heard one ! The complexity, depth & detail of this series is second to none in the fantasy genre ( in my opinion ).

[nolanstephenson]

I've read the series many, many times.
The series being titled The BOOK of the fallen is just spot on.
First read through of gardens, I wasn't so much confused as I was feeling I just didn't have all of the information, but what I did have I knew I liked, so I continued.
Deadhouse gates fully introduces you to Erickson. Not the story, but how he writes. It's just a slow build up of what you think are inconsequential things, that converge into an amazing finale with the chain of dogs, which is where I became dumbfounded and hooked.
Erickson writes the entire series like it is just one big book: a series of what you think are random or inconsequential or disconnected events, that slowly converge into an amazing finale.
By the time I got to the crippled god, no matter if it was the first or ninth time, I had to take breaks because I would start crying at certain events. The only form of media to make me cry, and I love erickson and the series for it.

[hopeprevails]

All time favourite. Remarkable autor, probably the most poetic one I've stumbled upon in the genre.

[liamcarragher]

I honestly believe malazan has changed my life profoundly. I think the character arc is for yourself as you go through the books. The main protagonist is compassion. Humanitys ability to turn it off was the antagonist.

[FrankieErrwhere]

I find that once you begin the re-read the beauty really starts to come through. I've gone through the series multiple times and each time still learn things missed times before. Incredible series

[mikesbookreviews]

Thanks for putting this in plain English. It seems most folks who talk about Malazan just want to flex about how intelligent they are for having read it. I'm starting a huge group read of it this January and this was what I wanted to hear. Thanks again!

[rohitsundar]

Hey! I recently finished Toll the Hounds and I stumbled across your channel as I was going through Booktubers talking about Malazan.
The community and environment you have developed here is amazing! I've been watching your videos - from your first one - and as someone who's into fantasy, I've found your videos both informative and fun to watch!
Looking forward to watching more of your videos and hearing your thoughts! And I admire the dedication with which you reply to comments. Thank you, Dr. Chase, for this channel!

[anangryscorpion]

I don't know that I'll ever read another fantasy series quite like Malazan, it got under my skin like nothing I've ever read. Erikson did such a remarkable job with the thematic content and the philosophies he tackled, i was constantly stopping to read entire pages over again, some really brilliant writing. Strangely though, i actually found the story to be quite a character driven one.
That said, it can be a very frustrating reading experience at times, in some ways i often think some of Malazans greatest strengths are also it's greatest weaknesses. He's currently working on a Karsa Trilogy, i believe the first book is all done and just waiting for the publication process to get underway.


Interesting tid-bit, Erikson actually meant for MOI to come before Deadhouse Gates, he wrote 400 pages of MOI and lost all the work he'd done on it, got frustated and wrote DG instead, i think it worked out for the best honestly.

[briann]

Thanks for your recommendation! I'm an anthropologist and fantasy writer myself, so when I heard you describe his books, he sounds perfect for me. Got the first book before I even finished your video.

[joevesayaporn]

Having read the series twice now I'm amazed at how many characters I truly love and care about. Then you have the story. Best series ever

[curtjarrell]

For a man of retirement age such as myself this multi-volume wall of reading seems too daunting for me. Thanks for your thoughtful and informative vids on the books. Per the numerous recommendations I've received from YouTubers and more I've begun reading The Blade Itself. So far so good. Enjoy your Malazan journey.

[DanExploresBooks]

After 3 books of the series, I would say that although Steven Erikson TRULY does amazing scenes and action, it is in the quiet moments within the characters themselves where I see mastery of the artform. I see others who do this, but it sometimes rings empty. With Malazan so far, I can say that you get out of it what you are willing to give it. So don't rush. Put it down and let moments simmer properly. Enjoy the journey of it.

[vicdelta]

This is probably the best explanatory video to get into this series. Great job Philip.

[Severian]

My absolute favorite series, to my mind one of the best things ever created. A living breathing world like no other.

[untidaledwildman]

Just started this series thanks to you and Mike's Book Reviews! I've never experienced a book where I felt so lost and just really enjoyed it at the same time. I've got a lot of gardens of the moon left, but I'm loving it so far! Thanks for the recommendation!

[secondaccount]

Here’s how I describe reading Gardens of the Moon: it’s like not knowing anything at all about Lord of the Rings and starting to read in the mines of Moria.

[nunchucks]

When you reread this, you will be in awe of what was created. I was amazed my first time through, but the second time was the best experience I've ever had rereading a series and the foreshadowing is shocking.

[weisthor]

i am so envious of you english speakers! as a german reader i will have to wait probably 2-3 more years until i can finally finish the series.
there will be 20 books in german because the bastards split everyone in two to make more money, and the next one, number 17, will be released in september .... -.-
i could read it in english of course, but eriksons english is of such high quality that i would probably miss a lot of things because my english is not perfect on that level.
german by the way is perfectly suited for an eloquent writer like him.
it is by far the best series i have ever read!