I discovered Michael Moorcock whilst having my youth taking from me(it was well deserved)in a county jail in rockingham NH. While in lock-up(23 hr lock-down); i guess you could say I had time on my hands. Once a week we'd visit the jail's library, and there I discovered one of Michael's most controversial book's "Byzantium Endures" a Pyat saga; once reading this book I was hooked on his style of writing; he's not afraid to include grave-detail on points he finds important or unique to the situation. It really made me feel as if I was there; back in the early turn of the 19th century. Just after WW1 - and the present state of Russia; I've never looked back - he immediately became one of my favorite authors; only later finding out this book I've mentioned above was banned from US markets during it's inception. Back in 1981 the US was *NOT* as open to new ways of thinking, as if you were to compare the two w/ today's current climate/market among "progressionalists". Even though(if you follow or listen to JRE)most Authors are claiming sensor-ship; among author's work-shops. Being told what they can and cannot bring to work-shop; this I find we're going in the complete opposite direction in which we should be headed during this time of human evolution..
Enjoyed that. I was surprised by MM's view of his Pyat books being almost too difficult for even him to read. I recently reread the series and got much more out of it than the first time(s).
Ballard, gone. Aldiss, gone. MM one of the last of the greats from that New World generation. Important men with important ideas. Moorcock is charming, witty, erudite and fascinating. May he live forever.
I am a young fan of this man. Being 22, I have not ever had the pleasure of being present during his shows with Hawkwind, and will not have the pleasure of seeing new Elric releases as the decades and years pass. Though I do not agree with his political views at times, I appreciate his characters and themes. Perhaps I will write a letter to him while there is still time.
