Book of the Day: Inside the alternative worlds of Michael Moorcock, in celebration of his latest

There’s a reason Michael Moorcock has such devoted fans: he is a true original. Here’s a Guardian review of his memoir/novel, just out, and his first book in a decade:

Acclaimed science fiction and fantasy writer – not to mention one-time member of Hawkwind – Michael Moorcock is not the type to come up with a generic autobiography, nor, for that matter, a conventional novel. Consequently, The Whispering Swarm is a lively combination of the two forms which slightly distorts both. Its protagonist, “Michael Moorcock”, is a version of the real-life author – complete with his upbringing in a post-blitz London, extraordinary creative precocity (he edited the highly popular Tarzan Adventures at the age of 17) and early marriage and parenthood; but he departs from the narrative straight and narrow when he allows a Carmelite monk to lead him to the gates of Alsacia, a hidden community in the city of London that acts as a gateway to England’s past. The resulting tale is enough to make you wish all writers would garland their memoirs with highwaymen and cavaliers and roundheads.

The Whispering Swarm is published by Gollancz (£25). Click here to order it for £20

Henry Bemis is pleased to offer one of the classic Moorcock fantasies in a fine first edition:

Moorcock, Michael, Corum: The Coming of Chaos (White Wolf, 1st hardcover edition, 1st hardcover ed., Feb., 1997). ISBN 1-56504-182-8. Rare reissue of one of Moorcock’s series characters in the Eternal Champion series. Hardcover, unclipped dust jacket, very good condition. HBB price: $50.

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