Wednesday 29 September 2010

Five Books That Just Might Change Your Life - No. 3

LEGEND by David Gemmell

Legend is a fantasy story focusing on a hero far past his prime. Druss lives on a lonely mountain, a retired warrior who once walked the land for seven years killing armies of men all for the sake of finding his stolen love. When the story begins, we find Druss waiting for death, resolved to while away his days slowly going senile alone. His plans are destroyed when hes formally asked by an old general to make an appearance at Dros Delnoch, the fortress preventing an army of savages from sweeping across Druss' homeland to bring murder, death and rape. Druss being who he is decides that death is better confronted on the front lines with axe in hand taking as many souls into the afterlife with him.

Legend truely creates a story which lives up to the old saying "dulce et decorum est pro patria mori". Gemmell spins a legend filled with testosterone, blood, sweat and the most kick ass, awesome quotes to ever be penned by a human. He creates a defiant, unrestricted, uncompromising hero whos very presence causes demons to tremble. Uncapable of evil or cruelty, Druss manages to whip a demoralised military made up mainly conscripts into a hard-hitting, hard-spitting, hard-fighting army of men.

my favourite moment of the novel is when Druss sits to eat with the enemy king in the presence of both armies. Druss is unshaken by the king's calm promises of quick defeat. Instead, Druss promises that if he is to die on the walls of the Dros he will be sure to take more than a few souls to accompany him on the journey to the next life. To this the king's only response is, "they will be proud to walk alongside you, Druss".


Why did I decide to put Legend up here? Well, since I read it about ten years ago, its been something I've read yearly. Druss has been a constant symbol to me, represtenting exactly how a man should be morally. The book is filled with manly clichés, but Gemmell really created something unlike any other fantasy novel. Pick it up, and you will not be disappointed.

36 comments:

  1. Sounds like an interesting book worth checking out.

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  2. This sounds like a totally awesome book D: Druss sounds like a BAMF.

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  3. hmm i'm normally into the science fiction rather than fantasy, but i'll see if i can get my library to get it in for me.

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  4. I've been into high fantasy since I was a kid, reading all the Forgotten Realms and stuff like that. This sounds like something I could get into. thanks!

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  5. I always confuse this book with I Am Legend by Richard Matheson. I've never actually read it because of this.

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  6. Nice I wonder if I could find an audio version

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  7. Ok fine, I'll go get a copy! It was too convincing, I can't just walk away and say: 'Nothing intersting'. Looking forward to the last two books!

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  8. druss sounds like a real badass

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  9. I have been looking for a good book to read lately. Thank you, will check it out! :)

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  10. sounds cool, i am DEFINITELY going to pick that one up :]

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  11. I read Legend years ago. Pretty good, I should pick it up.

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  12. http://demitruthful.blogspot.com/

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  13. i will have to look into this, any suggestions?

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  14. dulce et decorum est pro patria mori

    I love that quote

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  15. cant wait to see your next post.

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  16. life changing x.x

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  17. Seems to be a good read from what you've posted. I'll have to pick myself up a copy.

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  18. Great post! keep up the great work!

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  19. well, im going to search or this book ;)

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  20. yea I've heard about this on some forum !

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  21. They should make a crappy move out of it like they do with all great books

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  22. i also read it and it is really a great book.

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  23. sounds like it would make a great video game too. i should pick up this book

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