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Sto caricando le informazioni... Von Bekdi Michael Moorcock
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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 awhile 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... Contains THE WARHOUND AND THE WORLD'S PAIN and THE CITY IN THE AUTUMN STARS. Non sono state trovate descrizioni di biblioteche |
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Google Books — Sto caricando le informazioni... GeneriSistema Decimale Melvil (DDC)823.914Literature English & Old English literatures English fiction Modern Period 1901-1999 1945-1999VotoMedia:
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Manfred starts off in the same vein as Ulrich. A brave soldier of fortune whose fought with the Americans in their rebellion against the British. Only to now have run away from the French Revolution because of his objections to the methods of Robespierre. When we find him he views his predecessors work in the name of Lucifer as only a folktale. Only to be bewitched by a beautiful, mysterious, sensual, all knowing Duchess. In simpler terms he's pussy whipped. Manfred is impressionable to a fault. Give him some food, wine, a sword, musket and a fight he's all good. Have a pretty woman with a sweet pair of tits wink at him, he's a love sick puppy ready to pledge his life and soul to the life and soul devouring maw if she tells him to do so. That last part is only 95% true but it's a big part of this story.
The Von Beks have admirable qualities but those all just go away when Lucifer and the promise of a beautiful woman are involved. Both involve the search for The Grail but this is far from a Arthurian tale. They involve characters willing to sell their souls to authority and for authority. The Von Beks both stand as spectators to the folly of those characters. The madness that claims those characters is what stays with the Von Beks. They themselves only view their involvement in the events as coincidental. To the reader you'll see that they are far from innocent in what takes place.
The writing in the first book is fine. If you've read the Elric books this is standard fair. The writing in the second book borders on being a Monty Python skit set in 1770s era England. There's a lot of, 'good day, sir','ah, yes good morning sir', 'oh dash it all man send for my carriage'. It's something that either keeps you in the story or takes you out of the story. Reading about a love struck German in a zeppelin with a Scottish dandy as a pilot is enough. Now throw in all the high brow Englishmen speak and you've got to plow through certain paragraphs where your not sure what just happened. Overall I liked it but it's not for everyone. Maybe watch Monty Python and The Holy Grail before reading the second book. It might better prepare your mind for the second part of this book. ( )