What It's Like Reading Malazan Book Of The Fallen

What it's like reading Malazan Book of the Fallen (Gardens of the Moon Steven Erikson)

[@samjohnston1887]

I was reading through book 1 and my wife asked me what it was about. I was like 3/4 of the way through the book and I said, “I can follow along with what’s going on, but I can’t really tell you what it’s about.”

[@dlasis]

It’s about compassion. You’ll see it more blatantly when you read the second novel. Moreso on the third one.

[@FMD-FullMetalDragon]

This is how I felt after reading the first three books. I couldn't say what the series is about.

[@LadyKestrel23]

I missed so much and I’m on my third read. Love love these books. I enjoy reading everything I can find online as I go. My husband is on book 2 and catches everything lol. He’s missing the fun of it 🤪🤪

[@azieldaly2965]

​@@dlasis It's not about compassion, compassion is probanly the most important theme.

[@Slimcognito2012]

My description of the first book is "an assassin, a wizard, an undead swordsman and the chief administrator of an evil empire stumble into the three musketeers and then they all crash the same party"

[@KnjazNazrath]

Him stayin' on the same page for the whole skit really made it.

[@heretic124]

This sums up my experience with Gardens quite accurately. It got exponentially easier with each installment in the series, though. Once you know the races and warrens you're half way there.

[@miketravelsnowhere6557]

Good to know!

[@nazimelmardi]

@@miketravelsnowhere6557 even more if you don’t think that you SHOULD know things. You shouldn’t. You know exactly what you have to. Your information amount is based on the fact that you are witnessing the story and not knowing everything about of the world and magic and so on.

[@ethanwaugh8184]

​@@nazimelmardiExactly. You know as much as the characters do, and you're just as confused as they are. Which makes you feel like you're right there on the journey with them

[@thisismyname3928]

🚫

[@andybarker8787]

I honestly had none of this. Just read a story back in 2008 and went with it, loved every minute.

[@Gonzalezluis89]

This is what I hear Malazan fans say: it’s like being tortured but somehow you’ll enjoy it. Imagine complete and utter despair and yet you just mindlessly continue on. It’s like being hopelessly confused and yet you can still convince yourself that the greatest idea ever is just slightly out of reach. I can’t explain it. You’ll have to just read the entire series atleast 3 times to understand what I mean. 🤦‍♂️

[@fourcornersofthepage8374]

I read Malazan for the first time in 2013 and there was some info for new readers available - but, like, a tiny fraction of what is available now. Can’t imagine what it would be like to read on release! That being said - it’s legit my favourite thing on paper and I’ve read it three times through now :)

[@noname3609]

What tips would you give to some1 who never read Malazan before ❤

[@evanduckworth9681]

@@noname3609if you are a fan of characters be prepared to watch them die and also not be in the story for a book or a few at a time 😂

[@noname3609]

@@evanduckworth9681 So its complex plot and yeah,I read for the characters,story,world,magic,action scenes and themes mostly 😁

[@evanduckworth9681]

@@noname3609 that being said the world building is second to none

[@noname3609]

@@evanduckworth9681 That sounds great.Maybe next year,I might read Malazan.

[@Elfhelm]

Wasn't Malazan's author historian or archelogist? It really explains the style a lot when you look at the books as a whole

[@heretic124]

Yup, he's both anthropologist and archeologist. Came up with the story while digging bones and roleplaying with his friend Ian C. Esslemont. ICE also wrote more than a dozen books set in the Malazan world.

[@radjedijake1414]

Ha, I said the thing. It really shines through, especially in the parts with Tool.

[@blixx666]

Imagine the mind set of trying to figure out a culture simply by their remnants. This helped me understand Erickson's style.

[@WhimsicalBumComicLover]

This is soooooooo true! To all the new malazan readers, just stick with it, things get much clearer once you finish the first two books... Malazan is easily one of the best epic fantasy that I've read

[@newcreation002000]

That's awesome. I enjoyed this thoroughly. I actually read book 1 twice and made a PowerPoint presentation with notes and characters so I could actually understand what the heck was going on. I was use to having to do that ...IN GRADUATE SCHOOL!

[@lonebazif1982]

O man I love these videos❤. I'm reading Dune and I think I owe you a big thanks, What a book man, I'm speechless. I'm continuing with the rest of the books.

[@miketravelsnowhere6557]

That's awesome! And thank you!

[@froumts]

For me, Malazan was a lot about trust. I just toughed through it all, not really going back and rereading even if it hurt to do. By about the ending of Gardens and especially the ending of Deadhouse Gates I knew I was reading something wonderful and special. It's my all time favorite series and one of my favorite things ever.

[@Nortic111]

I'm even more looking forward to getting into these books now!

[@neonWHALE002]

Such a unique world they created in these books. I've only read Gardens, Deadhouse and Night of Knives so far and I'm hooked...if not struggling a little with Deadhouse but I know I'll keep reading.

[@carson9464]

I’m currently reading dead house, and I was about to quit until I started using the same technique as the first book which is to focus on each scene individually and if I notice things I notice things and if I don’t I don’t.

[@neonWHALE002]

​@@carson9464I did that too 😂 that attitude helps you to enjoy reading them instead of worrying over what you are missing.

[@blixx666]

DHG was the book that really sucked me in. It was an emotional journey for me.

[@georgestem2039]

@@blixx666Chain of Dogs

[@nicholasczech6973]

I love Malazan alongside Tolkien's Middle earth works. Though it is a crusade to read in the vocabulary and plot gathering. Worth it, however get ready for a few brain altering conformity tense understanding tribulations.

[@devil_pls]

This made me chuckle allot. Thank you

[@miketravelsnowhere6557]

I'm glad you liked it! :)

[@SouravUldyssian]

There is a Dramatis Personae at the start and a Glossary at the end of the book. Information given in those 2 sections is sufficient for understanding most things, like the names of the races, people, warrens and everything.

[@Laughing_Chinaman]

i unashamedly read it alongside the fan wiki, yes i spoiled myself, yes i loved all of it

[@scope5110]

After reading all the content by both authors I was really into it. Now reading it all a second time and absolutely love it.

[@loralubimaia2783]

Oh no . I have book one on my shelf awaiting my Libby account to listen to the audio and read at the same time. ....

[@miketravelsnowhere6557]

Good luck ;)

[@loralubimaia2783]

@@pzyqer6644 no I switch between. If I'm cooking I'm listening, or before bed in reading. But normally I like putting it at 1.5x

[@timothyhendricks3004]

I personally like books that drop you into a complicated well realized world and assume you are smart enough to figure it out. The Quantum Thief is similar.

[@knightmareryder]

I would strongly recommend against looking things up as you read the books. It's not needed. The whole point is that you are learning things with the characters, you are a witness to history, not an omniscient god. This helps you relate to the POV of the characters

[@Rickdegraaf]

The couch saga continues.

[@TerminalGuitar]

Not for the faint of heart, but the best fantasy series I have read (and I have read the majority of them, Tolien, Abercombie, Cook, Rothfuss, Martin, Hobb, etc.)

[@myself2noone]

I didn't find it that difficult honesty. Sure, there were things i didn't "get," but it was easy to infer from context what was going on mostly.

[@bryden72]

It's strange because it's interesting enough to keep you there. Things shown back to front. There's this epic scope world. But zero back ground. So you learn as you go. Through the characters. I've not finished yet. But some how I'm enjoying it 😂

[@krislimpus]

I asked myself the same thing.. am I enjoying this and I still keep reading

[@MegaSherlockian]

“Am I even enjoying this? Yeah it’s not bad actually” I felt that in my soul.

[@dorrienvenables3057]

*Mike picks up The Silmarillion* - "I used to think this was a difficult read" 😆

[@simonfernandes6809]

Try reading Dune book 5 Heretics and Book 6 Chapterhouse. You'll know what it feels like to take magic mushrooms.

[@toddstevens9667]

Started Gardens 3 times and gave up after about 1/4 of the way through each time. Finally decided that I needed to buckle down and finish. So on my fourth time, I put in the effort and pushed through to the end. Ultimately I loved it. Read the whole series a couple times now, several individual books 3 or more times. But I had no idea what T’lan Imass was until book 3 lol. But let’s face it, Epic Fantasy is kinda like that. It’s just part of the package deal: Lots of names, places, and concepts coming out of nowhere. I’m almost through listening to the first book of James Islington’s Licanius Trilogy. There’s the same weird names, weird history, and unusual magical concepts, but with time travel thrown in. So it’s not really all that unusual in this genre.

[@user-pr1id5kg9p]

You read all of that on the same page? Steven Erikson sounds awesome!

[@arcanefeline]

"Am I even enjoying this?" - I've asked myself that question many times while reading the first book. Still not finished, by the way. I think the only thing stopping me from dropping this book is fear of being called stupid for not recognizing the genius or some shit.

[@blablah6958]

Speaking as a hardcore fan of this series: no shame in not liking Malazan. It has nothing to do with your intelligence. Eriksons style simply is not everyones cup of tea.

[@arcanefeline]

@@blablah6958 I guess so. Which is a shame, really. I see some Black Company inspiration here, and I loved that series.

[@blablah6958]

@@arcanefeline Black Company is a series i want to read for some time but i am afraid bc someone called it grimdark; and grimdark and me have a complicated relationship 😅 My tipp considering Malazan is: stop if it feels like a chore bc it won't get better, but if you finish the first book and can't stop thinking about it try "Deadhouse Gates". (Some people hate gardens of the moon but realy like Deadhouse Gates)

[@arcanefeline]

@@blablah6958 what do you dislike in "grimdark"? Maybe the Black Company is not that.

[@blablah6958]

@@arcanefeline i have the feeling that some grimdark authors are needlessly cruel, in other words they invent ultraviolent scenarios just for „fun“. I have no problem with blood and a realistic portrayal of atrocities, but if the author uses this scenes just as a „gotcha“ to the reader i am out.

[@NoahPopejoy]

Me: *in the grave* Also Me: I still don't understand what's going on...

[@miketravelsnowhere6557]

lol

[@jedthefroggy]

Seems to me like a skill issue!! Nah but for real it all clicked for me when they had that meeting at that giant table about 300 pages in and Lorne and Tattersail were mad dogging each other

[@radjedijake1414]

I'm on the third book and loving it, but it is one of those series where you have to push through until it makes sense. That Erikson got his degree in Anthropology and not English definitely shines through, and for the better I think (granted, I'm almost done with my anthropology degree myself, so I may be biased).

[@aaronstark5060]

I don’t generally read fantasy (nothing against it, just not much a fan of the writing style of much of it). But I gave this one a go a few years ago because it seemed so outside the realm of most fantasy prose (again, I have nothing against it, I just tend to enjoy a more literary style). I wasn’t head over heels or anything, but I did really enjoy it. I’d love to give it a re-read sometime, but my backlog is just so damn long that I don’t think it will ever happen.

[@WildWolfGod]

I listened to a good portion of the Malazan books on Audible, which was a RIDE, trying to get into them and understand anything. Still haven't finished them yet but love them, I have to take breaks between or during the books sometimes. 😂 It was an experience needing to look up a word up to figure something out but not knowing the spelling.

[@myfathersjawline]

this is how it felt reading empire of the vampire when they named the 305th piece of french revolution clothing, and when they spelt regular words in the most difficult ways, like spelling chemistry like chymastry and also writing half of the book in french, italian, old english, latin, portuguese, spanish, and holy tongue or something

[@myfathersjawline]

i know empire of the vampire is an easy read compared to these crazy books, but i dropped out in year 10 ok, dont bully me

[@dalriada]

I’m glad I wasn’t the only one. Couldn’t finish the first book. Cool ideas though.

[@greciafilia5343]

I read in spanish but I'll read Malazan in english, I'm afraid to lose something in translation. I mean, english speakers seem lost, imagine losing an EXTRA thing in translation. So english it'll be.

[@lamarhenderson8058]

Yes. Absolutely this. And yet, I found it entirely engaging.

[@apebblemaster4570]

Haha! I actually kept notes while reading Malazan, and it REALLY helped! I actually really enjoyed it, too, although things got quite a bit too dark for me in book 2, and I ended up quitting the series at book 3. But what I read I mostly really liked!

[@AussieBattleCat]

I feel you, by book 4 it got too dark and I had to stop. but I have wanted to pick up the series again though :)

[@shesonewiththeearth]

I loveeee your “What it’s like…” videos 😂😂🤣👏

[@miketravelsnowhere6557]

Thank you!

[@Jabberwhorl_Cronstadt]

I have a lot to say about this, Malazan is my fave, so I'll just leave it at good job at getting the sickest edition of GotM 😎

[@Gonzalezluis89]

After reading through all these comments I wonder if the Malazan series, is “ The emperor has no clothes” type situations. If you know what I mean.

[@maximiliangonzalez3915]

I really enjoyed the frist several books in the series, but around the halfway point of the series it really just felt like I was forcing myself to get through it. It didn't pay off for me. I wish I didn't keep forcing myself and instead listened to my instincts and gave up. There were too many things going on and I didn't feel like I had a reason to care about any of them.

[@ghostarray6022]

Don’t fight the river that is Malazan. Flow with it.

[@icetech6]

The Malazan motto.... "Just keep reading..." :)

[@lukethomas216]

I’m about to start book 7, I still don’t really know what’s going on and I freakin’ love it! All other fantasy (except Tolkien! ) now seems half-hearted in comparison 😁

[@nazimelmardi]

It wasn’t bad. I had no issues back then… 12 years ago. It’s a fun read with giving you a lot of thought about themes. Just like hard sci-fi.

[@myself2noone]

I thought the themes were a notable weak point. But I only read the first one. Maybe it gets better.

[@nazimelmardi]

@@myself2noone you should. The first book is mostly action heavy and setting up some tones and some of the situations of the political parties. That’s what happening already. You can get a basic overview of the Malazan Empire internal situation on that continent and some of the enemies they face. Also how the military thinks what’s the situation outside there. Etc…. And yes, the deeper themes are starting next.

[@tylerwarner3677]

I had to read books 1 and 2 twice before I understood what was going on. I liked them fine. Just don't ask me to tell you what happens

[@nyusings]

I finished the entire series in six months. I'm a legend. Right?

[@adamnesico]

What about start by book 2 or 5? They are too valid starting points and people tend to value those more.

[@myfathersjawline]

heres a challenge for yall. explain what this book is about

[@priyansh7499]

Hey mate , it took me 3 days to complete first book its not that difficult. Just little problem with terms.

[@wfox4418]

I feel this deep in my soul. Also one of the best series I’ve ever read.

[@Dusty20042008]

Where can you buy the edition you have? I can only find the small Paper back edition

[@miketravelsnowhere6557]

These paperback editions are very rare and usually you can only find it on eBay for a lot of money. I was lucky enough to receive it from my mother in-law.

[@jp-st8vn]

I'm actually a Bengali and my English is pretty mid. Is the language of this book hard?

[@personmcpersonperson2893]

My english is mid as well and I had no problem understanding the prose. The only difficulty lies in the complexity of the plot and world building. It is worth the effort though

[@miketravelsnowhere6557]

Not really from a language point of view. I think it is difficult due to all the plots within plots within subplots going on at once. It's hard to keep track of it all

[@ezzydeen1]

Half way through the first book i dropped it. Never picking it up again

[@noname3609]

Nice 😮 Now try Joe Abercrombie or John Gwynne 😊

[@RocKnight11]

Wait... I should be taking NOTES?

[@nazimelmardi]

You think you should?

[@myself2noone]

Naa, it's not as hard to fallow as everyone says.

[@nazimelmardi]

@@myself2noone no, it’s not. It’s a fun read with a lot of deep topics to think about. We who read it back then, 10+ years ago, didn’t make a thing about it.

[@leonardog.6027]

It’s not necessary, but I did take notes and it turned out to be useful

[@RocKnight11]

@@leonardog.6027 To be fair to note takers... I read a lot of comic trade paperbacks, and I'll consult a wiki if I'm trying to recall a bit of info that I may have forgotten. So I do understand.

[@HopeThisIsntSOPARela]

Where do you get this edition of the book?

[@miketravelsnowhere6557]

I was lucky enough to get it from my mother in-law. It is very rare and can only be found on sites like eBay for a lot of money.

[@CombativeRoboGuy]

You see, I just keep going on… I’m one of the psychopaths who read the Silmarillion and never looked in the back of the book. Edit: I didn’t even realize that he was going to pull out the Silmarillion in comparison when I said that.

[@xablep8849]

good video

[@miketravelsnowhere6557]

Thanks

[@PoorPersonsBookReviewer]

I DNF the series after dead house gate , did don’t get better

[@iwannareadforever8185]

If you have to google everything to get through it is it really a good book? I have heard of Malizan but this does not make it seem appealing. Why is it so popular if the text is that exhasting?

[@DrMetalpin]

Just the first one. ;)

[@Edog1337]

Interesting reading a first edition hardcover of Malazan. Every other copy in the series will be $100+ if you want your series to match, now lol.

[@miketravelsnowhere6557]

I was lucky to get it from my mother in-law. I probably wont worry about making sure the other books in the series match especially since most of my books do not match. :)

[@dianaayt]

No cause i literally filled up 2 notebooks only after 3 books now 😂

[@sirvazo1633]

I gave up on this series about halfway through the 2nd book. Just wasn’t enjoying it 😕

[@benjaminthibieroz4155]

Finished for the style, missed the plot, didn't buy the next ones.

[@increditoaster]

I hear its anamazing series but this doesnt aound fun lol

[@jasonuerkvitz3756]

I put it back on my reading queue as a re-read. I seriously disliked _Gardens of the Moon_ . I think there was a roof-top chase scene towards the end that was superb, but the rest was immemorable save Anomander Rake--or something, who flew around in a castle--and some dude chained to a cart pulled by giant demon dogs. And stopping the igniting of gas under a city. A disjointed mess of nonsense but the series apparently gets better over time? The first book is supposed to hook you and trigger a sense of curiosity and desire to read more. The extrinsic fact that there were going to be 10 books in the series--when I started there were only 4--isn't sufficient grounds to function as a sustainable lure. Your joking here though funny is far too accurate and painful.

[@jsthlrd]

It’s got great story and imagination, but it’s too much musing, especially in the last 3-4 books. Way too long imho.

[@vinodvagadurgi414]

Am I even enjoying this !? 😅😅😅😂

[@josephhirning2642]

Yeah, the pain is real.😂

[@GTTemperd]

Wow an understanding of inability to understand and absorb scope and spread in order to build understanding and absorption of world building.I haven't heard worse pronunciation either.

[@TheAl1213]

😂😂😂

[@RandomDeek1]

-1/10, no mention of Karsa Orlong or WITNESSS (this was actually awesome though and I couldn't stop laughing)

[@miketravelsnowhere6557]

lol Thanks!

[@epiphoney]

Annotate the crap out of it.

[@brendanarmstrong4559]

I don't think I've ever quit a fantasy series before or since. Even if it wasn't great I sort of stuck it out.but I had to give malazan book 3. I was so sick of the Mhybe stuff. Oh, your miserable great good. Please shut up. Pleasee shut up ahhhhhhhhhh

[@miketravelsnowhere6557]

lol I have heard this series has very conflicting opinions! I need to read more of it to see where I fall on the spectrum though

[@brendanarmstrong4559]

@miketravelsnowhere6557 The problem for me is that a lot of it is really very, very good but when you get invested in a character in one book and they barely appear I'm the next (quick ben) I loose a little interest. It can also be quite repetitive and monotonous at times. Maybe I'lld like it more if I tried again, but life is far too short, and there are far too many other books out there.

[@briankregg6329]

Just a God awful series and incomprehensible on purpose, I mean wtf!!!!

[@mildrumpus]

@milesknightestrada3286 brought me here. Happy Reading! 😎📚👍

[@miketravelsnowhere6557]

Thank you both for watching! :)

[@noiceman]

Malazan is the most overrated tripe ever written.

[@Uglypugger]

I had a terrible time understanding what was happening in the first book, but than I finally got to see Karsa Orlong and witness!

[@beckylanaway51]

😂😂😂