Steven Erikson

Last updated
Steven Erikson
Steven Erikson 2016.jpg
October 2016
BornSteve Rune Lundin
(1959-10-07) October 7, 1959 (age 63)
Toronto, Ontario
Pen nameSteven Erikson
OccupationAuthor
LanguageEnglish
NationalityCanadian
CitizenshipCanadian
PeriodSince 1991 [1] [2]
GenresEpic Fantasy, Science Fiction, Coming of Age
Years active1991-present
Notable works
Children1
Signature
SE Sig edited for transperancy.png
Website
steven-erikson.org
Books-aj.svg aj ashton 01.svg  Literatureportal

Steve Rune Lundin (born October 7, 1959), known by his pseudonym Steven Erikson, is a Canadian novelist who was educated and trained as both an archaeologist and anthropologist.

Contents

He is best known for his ten-volume spanning epic fantasy series Malazan Book of the Fallen , which began with the publication of Gardens of the Moon (1999) and was completed with the publication of The Crippled God (2011). By 2012 over 1 million copies of the series had been sold worldwide, [3] and over 3 million copies by 2018. SF Site has called the series "the most significant work of epic fantasy since Donaldson's Chronicles of Thomas Covenant," [4] and Fantasy Book Review described it as "the best fantasy series of recent times." [5] Fellow author Glen Cook has called the series a masterwork, while Stephen R. Donaldson has praised him for his approach to the fantasy genre.

Set in the Malazan world, Erikson has commenced a prequel trilogy, The Kharkanas Trilogy , seven novellas, a short story, and is currently working on a sequel trilogy, the first book of which, titled The God is Not Willing, was published in 2021.

His foray into science fiction has produced a comedic trilogy, the Willful Child Trilogy , a spoof on Star Trek and other tropes common in the genre, and a First Contact novel titled Rejoice, a Knife To the Heart , published in 2018.

Life and career

Steven Rune Lundin was born in Toronto, Ontario, and grew up in Winnipeg, Manitoba. [1] [2] He subsequently lived in the UK with his wife and son, but has since returned to Canada. [2] He is an anthropologist and archaeologist by training and is a graduate of the Iowa Writers' Workshop. [6] For his thesis at the Iowa Writers' Workshop, Erikson wrote a "story cycle" of short stories titled A Ruin of Feathers about an archaeologist in Central America. Subsequently, he received a grant to finish the work which was published by TSAR, a small Canadian publishing house. For his next work he co-won the Anvil Press International 3-Day Novel Contest for which he signed away the rights, a mistake he attributes to inexperience. Erikson's third book was also published by TSAR, and consisted of a novella and short stories titled Revolvo and other Canadian Tales. Later, upon moving to England, he sold what he refers to as his "first real novel" to Hodder and Stoughton — This River Awakens — written when he still lived in Winnipeg. Before assuming the pseudonym Erikson (as an homage to his mother's maiden name), [1] he published his first four books, out of print as of 2007, under his real name. [7] [8] In addition to writing, he paints using oil paints. [8]

Themes

Erikson has stated that apart from examining the "human condition", all his literary work share "compassion" as a theme, or main driving force. [9] Furthermore, when envisioning the Malazan world, both he and his collaborator Ian Cameron Esslemont agreed to create societies and cultures that never knew sexism and gender based hierarchies of power. [10]

Other themes include social inequality, egalitarianism, death, life, history, and historical accuracy. [11] [12] [13] [14] [15]

Style

Erikson has stated explicitly that he enjoys playing with and overturning the conventions of fantasy, presenting characters that violate the stereotypes associated with their roles. They embody the multidimensional characteristics found in human beings, making them more realistic and giving the story more depth, which is why his books are anything but predictable. He deliberately began Gardens of the Moon mid-plot rather than beginning with a more conventional narrative. [16] [17] The writer's style of writing includes complex plots with masses of characters. In addition, he has been praised for his willingness to kill central characters when it enhances the plot. [2]

Reception

Word of mouth is very powerful in fantasy, and the net carries its own energy. It made a huge difference – people were picking [Gardens of the Moon] up from Amsterdam to the US.

The first novel of the Malazan Book of the Fallen series, Gardens of the Moon (1999), was well received. It was short-listed for a World Fantasy Award. [19] It has also earned Erikson the reputation as one of the best authors in the fantasy genre, [19] and was described as "An astounding début". [20] The novel was acclaimed for its "combination of originality and intelligent, strong and exciting storytelling". [19] The second book in the series, Deadhouse Gates (2000), was voted one of the ten best fantasy novels of 2000 by SF Site. [21]

Fellow author Glen Cook has called the series a masterwork of the imagination that may be the high water mark of the epic fantasy genre. In his treatise written for The New York Review of Science Fiction , fellow author Stephen R. Donaldson has also praised Erikson for his approach to the fantasy genre, the subversion of classical tropes, the complex characterizations, the social commentary — pointing explicitly to parallels between the fictional Letheras Economy and the US Economy — and has referred to him as "an extraordinary writer", comparing him to the likes of Joseph Conrad, Henry James, William Faulkner, and Fyodor Dostoevsky. [20] [22] [23] [24]

Influences

Erikson attributes pen and paper Role-Playing games, specifically AD&D and GURPS, as being the biggest influence in his writing career, and even calls it the fundament of the Malazan Empire, from his Malazan Book of the Fallen series, is based on. Stephen R. Donaldson's The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant and Glen Cook's The Black Company, both ushering post-Tolkien style of writing, are some of the works that have influenced his storytelling. He also credits the works of Robert E. Howard, Edgar Rice Burroughs, Homer, Arthur C. Clarke, Roger Zelazny, John Gardner, Gustav Hasford, Mark Helprin and Robin Hobb as influences on the Malazan works. [25] [2]

List of works

See also

Related Research Articles

<i>Gardens of the Moon</i> Book One of Malazan Book of the Fallen by Steve Erikson

Gardens of the Moon is the first of ten novels in Canadian author Steven Erikson's high fantasy series the Malazan Book of the Fallen.

<i>Malazan Book of the Fallen</i> Fantasy book series by Steven Erikson

Malazan Book of the Fallen is a series of epic fantasy novels written by the Canadian author Steven Erikson. The series, published by Bantam Books in the U.K. and Tor Books in the U.S., consists of ten volumes, beginning with Gardens of the Moon (1999) and concluding with The Crippled God (2011). Erikson's series is extremely complex with a wide scope, and presents the narratives of a large cast of characters spanning thousands of years across multiple continents.

<i>Midnight Tides</i> Book by Steven Erikson

Midnight Tides is the fifth volume of Canadian author Steven Erikson's epic fantasy series, the Malazan Book of the Fallen. Although it is part of the larger series, it has only limited references to the previous books. However, it is not a stand-alone volume as the events of the books Reaper's Gale and Dust of Dreams follow on from it.

<i>The Bonehunters</i>

The Bonehunters is the sixth volume in Canadian author Steven Erikson's epic fantasy series, the Malazan Book of the Fallen. The Bonehunters is a direct sequel to the fourth volume, House of Chains, and alludes to events in the fifth, Midnight Tides.

<i>The Crippled God</i> (novel)

The Crippled God is the tenth and final volume of Canadian author Steven Erikson's epic fantasy series, the Malazan Book of the Fallen.

Ian Cameron Esslemont is a Canadian writer. He was trained and has worked as an archaeologist. He is best known for his series Novels of the Malazan Empire, which is set in the same world as the Malazan Book of the Fallen epic fantasy series written by his friend and collaborator, Steven Erikson. Esslemont is the co-creator of the Malazan world.

<i>Night of Knives</i>

Night of Knives is the first novel of the Novels of the Malazan Empire series by Canadian author Ian Esslemont, set after the prologue, but before the main body of Gardens of the Moon, the first novel in the Malazan Book of the Fallen.

<i>The Healthy Dead</i>

The Healthy Dead is a novella by Canadian author Steven Erikson, set in the world of his Malazan Book of the Fallen epic fantasy series. It continues the story line of Bauchelain, Korbal Broach and Emancipor Reese, three characters who had a cameo appearance in the novel Memories of Ice and were the focus for the previous novella, Blood Follows.

<i>Return of the Crimson Guard</i>

Return of the Crimson Guard is a fantasy novel by Canadian author Ian Cameron Esslemont, his second book set in the world of the Malazan Book of the Fallen, co-created with friend and colleague Steven Erikson. Chronologically, Return of the Crimson Guard takes place after the events in Erikson's sixth Malazan novel, The Bonehunters. Return of the Crimson Guard is the second of six planned novels by Esslemont to take place in the Malazan world, starting with Night of Knives and followed by Stonewielder.

<i>Orb Sceptre Throne</i>

Orb Sceptre Throne is the fourth fantasy novel by Canadian author Ian Cameron Esslemont set in the world of the Malazan Book of the Fallen, co-created with Esslemont's friend and colleague Steven Erikson. Orb Sceptre Throne is the fourth of six novels by Esslemont to take place in the Malazan world.

<i>Assail</i> (novel)

Assail is the sixth and final volume of the Novels of the Malazan Empire series by Canadian author Ian Cameron Esslemont. The novel is set in the world of the Malazan Book of the Fallen, co-created with Esslemont's friend and colleague Steven Erikson.

<i>Forge of Darkness</i>

Forge of Darkness is the first novel of The Kharkanas Trilogy by Canadian author Steven Erikson, set before the events of the Malazan Book of the Fallen.

The Kharkanas Trilogy is an epic fantasy series by the Canadian writer Steven Erikson. The series consists of three novels, two of which—Forge of Darkness and Fall of Light—have been published as of 2023. The series serves as a prequel to Erikson's Malazan Book of the Fallen series, and tells the story of the Tiste, Jaghut and Azathanai, three hundred thousand years before the Malazan Empire began its conquest on Genabackis, with a focus on characters such as Anomander Rake, Draconus, Hood, Gothos and K'rul. The series draws inspiration from the Shakespearean declamation style, and is framed as being told by one poet to another. It was received positively by critics as well as readers.

<i>Fall of Light</i>

Fall of Light is the second novel in the Kharkanas Trilogy written by Canadian author Steven Erikson. The story is divided into three main plot threads told from major and minor character POVs. The first tells the story of the Tiste race as they struggle to find their place in a society now divided into three factions — Andii, Liosan and Deniers — and which is on the brink of civil war. The second tells the story of the Jaghut who have now declared war against Death itself, and of various groups and races who have answered this call to arms. And the last tells the story of the Azathanai K'rul who has gifted the world sorcery, yet now finds himself vulnerable against his own kin.

<i>Toll the Hounds</i> Eighth book of the Malazan Book of the Fallen series

Toll the Hounds is the eighth novel in Canadian author Steven Erikson's epic fantasy series, the Malazan Book of the Fallen. It was first published on June 30, 2008 in the UK and Canada, and on September 16, 2008 in the USA.

List of complete works by Canadian fantasy fiction author Steven Erikson.

<i>Deadhouse Landing</i> 2017 novel by Ian Cameron Esslemont

Deadhouse Landing is the second novel of the Path to Ascendancy trilogy by Canadian author Ian Cameron Esslemont. Set in the world of the Malazan Book of the Fallen, Deadhouse Landing tells the story of the founding of the Malazan empire.

<i>The God Is Not Willing</i>

The God is Not Willing is the first novel of The Witness Trilogy by Canadian author Steven Erikson, set after the events of the Malazan Book of the Fallen. Upon its release, the book was generally praised for its prose, narrative, and worldbuilding.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Steven Erikson: Undercurrents". Locus . Vol. 85, no. 1. July 13, 2020.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 "Steven Erikson biography". Fantasy Book Review. Fantasybookreview.com. Retrieved August 10, 2009.
  3. ↑ Melville 2015, p. 289: "according to the cover of the 2012 UK paperback edition of The Crippled God."
  4. ↑ Thompson, William (2004). "The SF Site Featured Review: Midnight Tides". The SF Site. Retrieved 2009-02-22.
  5. ↑ "House of Chains by Steven Erikson". Fantasy Book Review. Fantasybookreview.com. 2008. Retrieved August 10, 2009.
  6. ↑ "Steven Erikson". Macmillan. 2008. Retrieved July 11, 2009.
  7. ↑ "Steven Erikson Facebook post November 25, 2020". Facebook . Archived from the original on 2022-02-26. Retrieved December 1, 2020.
  8. 1 2 Vandermeer, Jeff (December 2007). "Steven Erikson: No Lies, No Holding Back". Clarkesworld . No. 15. Retrieved August 31, 2009.
  9. ↑ Thornton, Jonathan (1 November 2018). "INTERVIEW WITH STEVEN ERIKSON". Fantasy Hive. Retrieved 1 November 2018.
  10. ↑ "Steven Erikson - Le livre des martyrs : Volume 1, Les jardins de la lune". Mollat. 2:40 minutes in.
  11. ↑ "Diversity and Equality Are Foundational Concepts in Malazan Book of the Fallen". Tor. 22 October 2018. Retrieved October 29, 2018.
  12. ↑ "Why You Should Read Malazan – Part 5: The Themes". The Quill To Live. 13 July 2018. Retrieved October 29, 2018.
  13. ↑ "A Slow Exhale: The Consistency of Malazan Book of the Fallen". Speculiction. 11 November 2011. Retrieved October 29, 2018.
  14. ↑ "14 Reasons to Read Steven Erikson's Gardens of the Moon". Tor. 6 September 2016. Retrieved October 29, 2018.
  15. ↑ "Inner Worlds II: Steven Erikson, the author of The Malazan Book of the Fallen - On fantasy, bias, and telling a story". Medium. February 2017. Retrieved October 29, 2018.
  16. ↑ "Interview with Steven Erikson". SFFWorld.com. January 21, 2006. Retrieved July 11, 2009.
  17. ↑ "On the spot at Bookspotcentral: Interview with Steven Erikson". bookspotcentral.com. Retrieved July 11, 2009.
  18. Moss, Stephen (October 14, 1999). "Malazans and megabucks". The Guardian. Retrieved 2009-02-22.
  19. 1 2 3 "Steven Erikson". booksattransworld. Retrieved 11 July 2009.
  20. 1 2 "Steven Erikson" . Retrieved 11 July 2009.
  21. ↑ "Top ten books of 2000". SF Site.
  22. ↑ Donaldson, Stephen R. (18 March 2015). "Stephen R. Donaldson: Epic Fantasy: Necessary Literature". The New York Review of Science Fiction. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
  23. ↑ "Episode 264: Glen Cook and Steven Erikson". The Coode Podcast, Discussion and digression on science fiction and fantasy with Gary Wolfe and Jonathan Strahan. 14 January 2016. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
  24. ↑ "Gardens of the Moon by Steven Erikson". macmillan.com. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
  25. ↑ Erikson, Steven. "The World of the Malazan Empire and Role-Playing Games" . Retrieved October 23, 2018.

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