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3.0 

Von Bek

By Michael Moorcock
Von Bek by Michael Moorcock digital book - Fable

Publisher Description

Ulrich von Bek, a facet of The Eternal Champion, makes a deal with the devil in this exciting adventure story from one of the greatest authors of our time.

This is the story of Ulrich von Bek, a cynical mercenary who sells his skills as a soldier in the wars taking place all over Europe. After the particularly horrific destruction of a city in which he played a role, von Bek decides to desert the military company he was working for and travel alone for a while before seeking further employment.

On his solo journey, he happens upon a castle where he takes refuge with—and then falls in love with—the keeper of the castle, the beautiful Sabrina. It is in this castle that he meets Lucifer, the master of Hell, and finds out that his soul is already destined for Hell. And so, in exchange for his soul, von Bek agrees to go on a quest for Lucifer, namely to find the Cure for the World’s Pain. This quest is also known as the Search for the Holy Grail.

As von Bek travels around Europe on his impossible quest, he will find himself caught up in wars, politics, intrigue, and romance. But he can never forget his purpose—or the terrible bargain he has made with the devil…

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6 Reviews

3.0
Surprised Face with Open Mouth“Von Bek: The Eternal Champion by Michael Moorcock was a fascinating but somewhat uneven entry in the Eternal Champion saga. This volume (Saga Press edition) gives us two Von Bek stories, ‘War Hound and the Worlds Pain’ and ‘The City in the Autumn Stars.’ Both novels weave together elements of Moorcock’s Eternal Champion mythologies, blending historical fiction, metaphysical adventure, and existential musings. The first novel WHATWP, showcases Moorcock’s signature ambition—melding deep philosophical themes with swashbuckling adventure. His prose is evocative, and the themes of destiny, identity, and cosmic struggle remain compelling. The second story TCITAS, I really struggle to read. I appreciated the interplay between different incarnations of the Champion, and Moorcock’s worldbuilding is as rich as ever. However, in particular the last book struggles with pacing and coherence at times. The transitions between different settings and realities felt abrupt, and some of the philosophical musings verge on repetitive rather than revelatory. While Moorcock’s ideas are grand, the execution occasionally lacks the narrative drive of his best works, leaving parts of the novel feeling disjointed. Overall, Von Bek: The Eternal Champion is a rewarding but sometimes challenging read.”

About Michael Moorcock

Michael Moorcock is one of the most important and influential figures in speculative fiction and fantasy literature. Listed recently by The Times (London) as among the fifty greatest British writers since 1945, he is the author of 100 books and more than 150 shorter stories in practically every genre. He has been the recipient of several lifetime achievement awards, including the Prix Utopiales, the SFWA Grand Master, the Stoker, and the World Fantasy, and has been inducted into the Science Fiction Hall of Fame. He has been awarded the Nebula Award, the World Fantasy Award, the John W. Campbell Award, the British Fantasy Award, the Guardian Fiction Prize, and has been shortlisted for the Whitbread Award. He has been compared to Balzac, Dickens, Dumas, Ian Fleming, Joyce, and Robert E. Howard, to name a few. 

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