DLC Bookclub - THE BONEHUNTERS - Chapters 19-20 - MALAZAN BOOK OF THE FALLEN 

Thanks for your comments as always. I've been travelling a bit over the past three weeks. There is a cultural link between the Perish and the Grey Swords. I don't think that counts as a spoiler, but this is the source of the faint echo you have picked up upon meeting the Perish. These two religious military orders are of a kind; and in many ways, your familiarity with the Grey Swords from Memories of Ice will help set up for you a more thorough grasp of the exigencies under which the Perish will operate in the books ahead. On a separate note, I second the suggestion that you tackle Robin Hobb next: she's a terrific writer. Also, I too loved Midnight Mass, but was surprised at how little attention it seemed to get. Here's a curious coincidence for you: like me, Guy Gavriel Kay grew up in Winnipeg. We even went to the same high school. Guy was in the same year as my older brother, and I was in the same year as Guy's younger brother. Yet, we first met many years later, at Eastercon in Glasgow, or Edinburgh (can't recall which). Anyway, another exceptional writer. For music, it's more specific songs that resonate with me rather than performers as such. Dire Straits' Brothers in Arms and Bruce Cockburn's Strange Waters both send chills through me. I've never hesitated to acknowledge the inspiration I receive from music; on occasion, I'll even snatch a line or fragment from a song and slip it into my narrative as I write. The soundtrack to Blackhawk Down resides as my backdrop to the final city-wall scenes of Deadhouse Gates, especially the track 'Leave No Man Behind,' though I can't tell you which came first, only that these days they're fused in my mind. Cheers! SE

Realm of the Elderlings by Robin Hobb is ABSOLUTELY something you could/should do next here at DLC bookclub. I am currently reading the LAST of the 16 books and… I am awestruck. It is an incredible world and Hobb’s writing IS just as good as Erikson, in somewhat different ways. It is character focused in a way I’ve never seen (and I’ve read a lot of fantasy). The lore and worldbuilding is insane, and even 16 books in, it is still being developed in amazing ways. I’m sure you’ll have others chiming in to agree so I’ll leave it there for now :)

Thank you for using my question, i really appreciate both of your answers 🙏🏿. And everyone's answers here. I've been planning to read Mitchell for a while, i see this as a little kick to get on it sooner! Midnight Mass, definitely has something akin to some of what Erikson does. I've been thinking about and listening to Prince recently; defiantly a world building storyteller. I'll have to get hold of What Became of Edith Finch 👍🏿. ❤

As Lana said, I'm changing as I age. the things that strike me emotionally are much different now that I'm 50 than when i was in my 20s and 30s. Rereading the Malazan books is always good to illicit a cry

Erikson #1 Hobb #2 on my fantasy writers list. My jaw dropped when you said neither of you have read any of it.

I loved The Realm of the Elderlings! And I am loving The Wars of Light and Shadow by Janny Wurts. On the same level as Malazan.

literally perfect timing for me, I finished these chapters today haha. When it comes to video games Elden Ring, Bloodborne, and Hollow Knight are my top games that have had insane impacts on my life. They aren't even heavy on story but the world building just dwarfs everything else I've played, a lot like Malazan. I really like how little hand holding they have and that's what made me think I'd enjoy Malazan in the first place, in fact it was recommended to me by someone on the Elden Ring subreddit.

Also, definitely agree with the submission question, Guy Gavriel Kay makes me cry at least once per book

Have fun at the slumber party!

Musically, Pearl Jam is a lot like Erikson, each one of my favorite songs is like a short story, each one makes you reflect in their own way.

That's so cool that you two are going to get to meet! (or have met already, at this point, but anyway). That sounds like a lot of fun. OOH YEAH, that conversation between Pearl and Banaschar is SO GOOD. I really liked that scene, too Oh man, that Chaur scene really got to me, too. I really love Chaur. That was such a good scene.

Omg the Swingers reference 😂 “Icarium, you’re so freakin money!!”

So when you started talking g about seeing the world through Chaur's eyes it cemented the artist in music I feel is approaches the same standard as Erikson. When it comes to, artistry, creativity, experimentation, consistency and every other quality of an artist that I haven't mentioned yet, I think of Aurora. But, that Chaur line pretty much cements it since she literally has a song called "Through the eyes of a child." Which is based on exactly what you're talking about.

Yes! we have finally reached ,my favorite chapters of the entire S.E.R.I.E.S.

Just want to pop in a quick comment to say that now is a really really good time to go back and read the Heboric acid trip section from Chapter 13 in House of Chains. Additionally, I think it's pretty important to remember where and how Heboric got his ghost hands in the first place in Deadhouse Gates, which might help to explain what the giant hands are. When Heboric thinks nobody remembers pain, I personally took it to mean that Heboric thought he could remember pain, and how painful this would be, but the reality of the pain was far greater than any human's capability of remembrance. In other words, Taking all that pain REALLY FUCKING HURTS.

I think I've jokingly recommended Realm of the Elderlings before because it's SIXTEEN books long, but I'm not sure it's longer in word count. I've only read the first trilogy and was awestruck by it. Apparently, it only gets better (with a slight dip towards the end with a YA tetralogy, but hey pobody's nerfect). For me, the last extremely resonant movie I've watched was Everything Everywhere All at Once. Particularly the Waymond character and his speech about being an overly nice doormat-type. "This is how I fight." CUE TEARS!

For some reason Bad Religion always springs to my mind when reading Erikson. There seems to be a lot of similar ideas between Erikson and Bad Religion.

Both Malazan and Dune have had a huge impact on me and the Road is another great example for shows both Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul are by far my favourite shows because of everything from writing and character work to cinematography and soundtrack. For video games I remember the Mass Effect trilogy having a great story and characters but also asked some deeper questions

For music my 3 are Jeff Buckley, Fiona Apple, and Bright Eyes in that order.

My excerpt from these chapters: “‘Oh, Hood.’”

Good map for Malazan is Adam Whiteheads Malazan Map. Or Joshua Butlers more detailed map is good too.

Realm of the Elderlings is next on my list after Malazan

I do love Jason Isbell as well Lana.

I think Last of Us 2 takes you on a similar journey to Malazan. I am intrigued to see how the tv show covers it.

David Mitchell is AMAZING

There are a few scenes that will make almost every Malazan reader get a little wispy just mentioning them. For emotional impact, The Things They Carried by Tim OBrien. Erickson references it as an inspiritaion. Havent read The Short Timers. Music - We are the Others by Delain. And multiple Rush songs - Subdivisions, Freewill, Witch Hunt, Nobody's Hero for a few.

Re: Other media that had a similar impact Edith Finch is indeed an incredible experience. And it's a game that even people with no video game experience can enjoy. Sticking with games, Outer Wilds did something similar to me. The spirit of exploration, of embracing and unraveling the unknown permeates through the game's story and its gameplay to an extent I've not seen before. It's also impeccably designed in how it all fits together. Then there's Yoko Taro's Nier games which keep their themes in the forefront throughout their playthroughs. Replicant has "The road to hell is paved with good intentions" written all over it while Automata deals with having someone's sense of purpose and meaning ripped away. They both get as tragic as their themes would imply but also have repeated seamless shifts in modes of gameplay and absolutely incredible music which lifts the experience to another level. These are the only titles that had me in tears at their ends. And not just sad tears.

Midnight Mass's Bev could be a Malazan character she's so layered 👌

Jeff, regarding David Mitchell, I hope you’ve also read Slade House, his one-off follow-up to Bone Clocks. I feel like it’s a minor masterpiece. It’s also obligatory that I point all Cormac McCarthy fans towards Lonesome Dove. That book’s grizzled veterans seem extremely bridgeburney. The Chain of Dogs reminded me of Mario Vargas Llosa’s incredible The War of the End of the World. Tom Waits for sure! The Wire is a great comp, too.

“Meat Space” 10/10 Jeff

I hope you did an IRL book club dance.

I'll be that guy. I really didn't like the Hobb books. I powered through the first 3, but won't be going back. They felt formulaic to me? And I couldn't relate. But! I know a lot of people love them and I'm probably in the minority. If you guys take them on I hope you love them.