Reading it for the first time now because of this video, thank you! As someone of Chinese descent it blows me away that Peake actually grew up in China right at the end of the Imperial era, it makes so much sense. Gormenghast and its inane rituals feel so like the Forbidden City and the imperial court, Titus feels very much like the Buddha's journey, it's really amazing to me
One of the biggest shames is that the author died at a relatively young age. He had every intention of continuing the story right up to Titus's death of old age.
Back in the 1980s I did my Doctorate on the psychology of rites of passage and initiation rituals. The Gormenghast trilogy formed the basis of the opening chapter of my dissertation. It's not only a fascinating and engrossing read, it's a psychologist's playground. 😀 The BBC mini series was a masterpiece in bringing out the quirks of so many of the characters as well as the weird castle setting.
It was remarkable that any screen adaptation was realized from this highly idiosyncratic text, and that the adaptation was so successful and faithful to the source.
I discovered Gormenghast in the public library when I was twelve. A beautiful hardcover edition with color plates. I can't tell you how many times I have read it.
Yes! I've been surprised how little Gormenghast content there is out there. Such a unique psychedelic experience. Steerpike is one of my all time favorite villains.
I picked up the first book after seeing Tale Foundry's video about it. I don't have a lot of time to read novels these days except for in the middle of the night when I have insomnia, so it's been a slow progression, but I am finding the characters (including Gormenghast itself) utterly fascinating. The way Peake describes each character's physicality is so demonstrative and visceral - even their names have a visceral quality. It makes total sense that Peak was an artist. Thank you for talking about this series! As challenging as it may be to read due to the slower pace, so far it's been worth the effort for all the delightfully descriptive gems and bizarre vignettes that Peake evokes through his scrutiny of the mundane. It's a bleak world, yet also vibrantly, even joyfully odd. Grotesque and sublime together in unexpected juxtapositions.
Gormenghast has absolutely beautiful prose. The world of Gormenghast is flowery, detailed, and cruel. A world of ritualistic bureaucracy and a free thought strangling autocracy where there is no place for concepts like fun. For a child, Gormenghast is like the ninth circle of hell. It was a difficult read for me, and I have few good memories of the book, but my lack of fondness does not stem from bad writing. It stems mostly from the ability of the writer to convey just how oppressive the book world truly is. He is right, though. I read this book many years ago, and I have not forgotten it.
I fell in love with the BBC series of Gormenghast as a child. It was hugely formative for me. I read the books in my twenties and adored them. So nice to see Gormenghast getting recognition on UA-cam ❤
You can find an intriguingly insightful lecture by one of Peake's sons about his father on UA-cam. One of the things that really resonated with me was Mervyn's obsession in all his arts - in finding the beauty in ugliness and the ugliness in Beauty... And trying to walk that tightrope. The lecture is about an hour long - and has interesting glimpses into his family life.
Pretty much the only thing I ever knew about the Gormenghast books is that they take place in a gargantuan castle. That was also the one thing that always kinda interested me since I like old ruins and huge, labyrinthine structures. I was just never sure I'd like the rest of it, and I'm still not to be honest, but maybe I'll look into it if I get the opportunity.
@@multieyedmyr You got his rather surprising name right. From the photo on Wikipedia it looks like he'd still have the perfect look for (a slightly older) Steerpike.
I first heard about Gormenghast from Lin Carter’s “Tolkien: A Look Behind LOTR”. It took me years to finally get a hold of a copy, this was long before online book sales. It’s such an enchanting story and really unlike anything else I had read up to that point. “Titus Alone” is a bit of a disappointment after the first two books, but considering Peake’s health at the time we are lucky we got a complete novel at all. I recall the 2000 BBC adaptation being quite good with a killer cast. Jonathan Rhys Meyers as Steerpike, Christopher Lee as Mr Flay, Ian Richardson, Stephen Fry, Fiona Shaw, etc etc.
I too started recently to read more fantasy besides Tolkien which i adore. Right now I am in the second book of The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant but i have been very interested in Gormenghast for some time now, since i want to start for the pillars of modern fantasy. Love your enthusiasm about it. Great video.
Peake writes some of the most amazing phrases... "the towers themselves will sicken at his death: the oldest stones will spew." "His voice floated out of his soft head like a paper streamer." It's just massively exciting to read as each image paints itself. I took more notes out of this book than any other fiction I have read. If you like Eco you'll love Peake, and vice-versa.
Titus Groan is the one book I come back to time and again. I re-read it every year - there is nothing like it. And I have the same edition you do. If you really love the books, the Folio Society have recently released a simply stunning set... I saw a quick review the other day - "Gormenghast is like Downton Abbey, but all the characters are mad!"
@@rammelbroadcasting I was a little disappointed initially that they went away from Peake's illustrations, but Dave McKean has done a stunning job. I believe he was originally commissioned to do something like 12 per volume, but he ended up doing over 200.
@keithhealing1115 Yeah, I agree about not using peake's art, but I really like Dave McKean he directed a kids movie written by Neil Gaiman back in the early 2000's called mirror mask. It was wild.
I read the Gormenghast books so long ago - decades ago, back when I was still in high-school. I'm glad the algorithm popped this video up as a reminder of it. Great, great books. 'Need to read it again. Mervyn Peake is a fantastic wordsmith. One of my strongest impressions left of when I read it was being impressed with just how many psychological, social, technological and ecological issues Peake managed to raise in his stories. Sometimes directly, sometimes indirectly, yet always without ever feeling it was unnecessary or gratuitous. I wonder if it will still feel that way reading it again now as an old man.
The opening description of the city calls to mind two writers' works very much outside the fantasy genre: Italo Calvino's "Invisible Cities," and Richard Brautigan's "In Watermelon Sugar." Both are modern must-reads if you have not already done so.
I used to see this series whenever I went into a book store. I always meant to read it but never did for some reason. Michael Moorcock thought it was the greatest. I watched the TV series it was interesting in that low budget British television way.
I picked this book up because it was the basis for a song by The Cure called "All Cats are Grey". I love the song, but this book was so heavy and dour in the opening pages that I never stuck with it. I need to go dig it out, now!
I love Gormenghast ❤ I always use the name 'Lady Fuchsia' as my character name in video games. Really heartbreaking that Peake was already ill when writing the 3rd book, which was a challenge for him 😟😢 Another genius who passed far too young.
Thanks for the recommendation! One of my favourite authors, Robertson Davies, highly recommended this trilogy, and t!hough it's been in my TBR pile for quite some time, it's seemed daunting to start it. This review might just give me the push I need!
These are my favorite fantasy novels. My parents owned paperback copies when I was a small child, and that is how I came to know of the novels, though I didn't actually start reading them until my adolescence. The author's rich imagination and hypnotic powers of description absolutely captivated me, and a certain type of rainy, chilly autumn day came to be called by me "Gormenghastly" (though every season and mood can find their moment in Peake's story). The first novel, 'Titus Groan', is the strongest of the three, but I've long had a particular sentimental fondness for the concluding volume, 'Titus Alone', where Titus finds his maturity and independence away from his ancestral home, which he nonetheless will always carry within him. So beautiful, and so expertly evocative of the adolescent yearning for experience and freedom.
One of my favourite series. I’ve always been amazed no one’s tried to make movie of it. As dense as it is. The BBC tv attempt didn’t work but in the hands of someone who loves it…it’d be incredible. Peakes illustrations are brilliant too.
I've never come across anyone talking about this before! I watched the limited TV series on one of those public access channels when it released ~ 2000 & thought it was the weirdest & coolest thing I'd ever watched (also fell in love with Jonathan Rhys Meyers). I bought the novels after but it was a tough read for me as a teenager so never got through them. You've inspired me to try again now, though!
Like others here I fell in love with the BBC adaptation when it first aired back in my mid-teens. It became one of the first DVDs I ever bought and I went on to read the books on my commute to university over the course of my first year. It has always saddened me that more people haven't read them as it truly is a singular and unforgettable experience to walk the dusty halls of Gormenghast. I had intended to recommend the works of Gene Wolfe, and in particular The Book of the New Sun, but looking at the comments I can see that you have already read them. Another series that may appeal are the books of the Viriconium cycle by M John Harrison. I read them around the same time and they satisfied in a similar way. They were written as a satire and a subversion of the swords and sorcery genre but end up being enjoyable examples of the type while at the same time painting vivid pictures with gloriously dense prose. The setting is similarly worn out and crumbling, people living in a world where the days of glory are a fading memory or even a dream. The books are considerably shorter and there is more of a focus on action though. I particularly enjoyed The Pastel City, the first book in the cycle. Mervyn Peake as well as the Dying Earth novels of Jack Vance were given as the authors primary influences.
Treasure that DVD. I got mine right after seeing the mini-series on tv. It’s now generally unavailable. At least every video store I’ve asked about it says they have no record of it existing.
After finishing Gormenghast, it took six months before I could bring myself to read another novel. The writing was so exquisite that everything else paled in comparison. Trying to read another book felt like going from gourmet food to McDonald's.
Oh thank you! This is EXACTLY how I feel. I have tried so hard to find something similar - but I have come to realise that it is absolutely unique. There are other brilliant writers out there (I really loved Ishiguro's Klara and the Sun) - but there is nothing, nothing like Gormenghast. To me, although he was a great world builder, Tolkein pales by comparison.
@@keithhealing1115 I've never experienced anything like it since. Reading Gormenghast was tedious, frustrating, and thrilling. Mervyn Peake's talent as a writer is so prodigious and eccentric, the average person may find him unreadble. This is a tragedy and part of the reason why Gormenghast is heralded less than The Lord of the Rings. Parts of this novel are seared into my memory. Peake was a better poet than Shakespeare and a greater writer than Dickens. In short, he's the best storyteller the English language has ever produced.
@@PhoenixFlash-mg6oy I lapped it up when I first read it, which was perhaps thirty years ago. The big problem is that one cannot read Peake quickly. The books are not action-packed set-piece explosion-fests. Nor are they technical world-building exercises like so many fantasy seems to be now. They are slow-burn wonders of emotion and true gothic oddness. the characters are strange, but they are always grounded within their world - even the most sympathetic like Prunesquallor and Fuschia would be irritating - but they become glorious. And when Peake does write a set-piece...only he could get away with it. I re-read Gormenghast a little while ago and the little scene where the Countess goes to talk with Prunesquallor and ends up milking a goat in his parlour whilst surrounded by her sea of white cats was utterly ridiculous - but absolutely beautiful and powerful. And no-one else could pull it off. You are right - Peake's writing is not for everyone by any means. My wife tried reading it but couldn't get past the opening few pages. But, if you are lucky enough to get it, it will work its way in like nothing else.
@@keithhealing1115 It took me a year to read Gormenghast. I'm glad I did. Love the bit where all the teachers play marbles with Titus. Also, love when the students set their professor on fire. It's not a novel that grinds to an inevitable conclusion. Plot isn't the point. When reading Gormenghast, it's all about the journey.
I remember this one from when I was in college. I stumbled across the TV mini-series on PBS which led me to this book series. I enjoyed it and I'm glad to see something about it. I rarely come across much.
i have read mervyn peake's trilogy. i've also watched the bbc mini series. film can be the book, not just "based on the book". it was brilliant. it will always be.
Considering that it was published in 1946, that's kind of a dubious claim. But C.S. Lewis did express admiration for the work. I only just yesterday discovered that that illustrated edition exists and I will definitely spring for the hard cover and give it a proper re-reading. The BBC did a fair four-part adaptation of the first two books about 25 years ago. It cannot capture the atmosphere of the book nor, of course, its language, but the story is pretty much right. And a fine cast. Christopher Lee as Flay. Flay. You didn't mention the wonderful names, some of the best this side of Dickens (whose work Peake appreciated). The titular Titus Groan. Mr. Flay. Lord Sepulchrave. Abiatha Swelter. Steerpike. Muzzlehatch. Dr Alfred Prunesquallor.
One of my favourite book series, glad you liked it so much! There is a BBC miniseries adaptation of it which is very hit and miss, some great performances but, it misses the overall tone of the books, imo. Great video, man, keep up the good work!
I read Gormenghast and enjoyed it greatly..except for the the last book.I'm not sure if the authors' health was declining at that point..can't remember..but it's quite different in style and I didn't care for it.Just my opinion.
Yes, Peake's health was declining precipitously when he wrote the last volume, 'Titus Alone', and it was a real struggle for him to finish it. Though the first volume, 'Titus Groan', is the strongest in the trilogy, I've always had a sentimental fondness for 'Titus Alone', much of the story and theme speaking to the adolescent I was when I first read it.
I think Mervin Peake did not write the 3rd book, but it was written from his notes, I could be wrong but I remember looking into it after the obvious change in writing style. It is a great set of books though.
Actually, he did write the third book he was just very sick when he wrote it. There was a fourth book called Tutus Awakes that was written based on his notes, like you said.
So its blame! But in a fantasy setting? Baha nah😅. Thanks for this video man im a big fan of your channel. Albeit a new fan. Look forward to what you have in store
I heard about Gormangast bought it and the vhs and an art book of the series then forgot it. I moved and found it unpacking my library and plan on reading and watching soon. But book collecting has its faults when things get lost in the stacks.
This sound interesting indeed. I think I will get the same edition you have. I have an idea what book to recommend for you next month, since you trying to expand your fantasy genre.
I read it at about age 20. I didn't find a character that I really cared about. Book three was very strangely different in character from the others (no spoilers).
Read it years and years ago, and I even have the BBC series based on the books on DVD.
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I used to think of the Gormenghast books as being fantasy until I found out that Peake more or less grew up in Imperial China. Now I don't read it as fantasy at all, the idea of a crumbling empire so old that people have forgotten exactly why they do these really specific rituals isn't fantasy, the books are still great, though. Like some other people here I saw the BBC adaptation first and sought the books out after. I have vague memories of the BBC having subsidiary programmes in which they congratulated themselves on the costume and set design (they do that a lot). They were going for a Kaiser Wilhelm era Germanic meets Oriental vibe, they said, if I recall. I recently rewatched it as someone had uploaded it to YT, albeit at a speed that was comically fast, presumably to circumvent copyright stuff. I have no idea how that works. Yeah, the TV adaptation doesn't hold up as well once you've read the books.
Gormenghast is brilliant but I don't know how much influence it had on the fantasy field. Lord Dunsany or even Conan creator Robert E. Howard were probably more influential. Dunsany was either the fantasy's real father or grandfather depending on how you look at it. He may be the only fantasy writer who wrote better prose than Peake. (Of course that's arguable.) The only criticism of it is that the plot is very slow but it did not bother me though it does some people. It is also and unfinished series since there was suppose to be six books but Peake unfortunately got Parkinson's and died before he could write them.
Got clickbaited by your title and came here to say yes, I totally have read it, and if anyone hasn’t then they totally should. There is no book quite like Gormenghast.
Watched the whole thing now and I want to take issue with your description of the characters as ‘contented’. Because in the version I read, every character was tragic and tormented.
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Reading it for the first time now because of this video, thank you! As someone of Chinese descent it blows me away that Peake actually grew up in China right at the end of the Imperial era, it makes so much sense. Gormenghast and its inane rituals feel so like the Forbidden City and the imperial court, Titus feels very much like the Buddha's journey, it's really amazing to me
One of the biggest shames is that the author died at a relatively young age. He had every intention of continuing the story right up to Titus's death of old age.
Back in the 1980s I did my Doctorate on the psychology of rites of passage and initiation rituals. The Gormenghast trilogy formed the basis of the opening chapter of my dissertation. It's not only a fascinating and engrossing read, it's a psychologist's playground. 😀
The BBC mini series was a masterpiece in bringing out the quirks of so many of the characters as well as the weird castle setting.
It was remarkable that any screen adaptation was realized from this highly idiosyncratic text, and that the adaptation was so successful and faithful to the source.
I discovered Gormenghast in the public library when I was twelve. A beautiful hardcover edition with color plates. I can't tell you how many times I have read it.
At 12 ?
I bet it blew your socks off
Yes! I've been surprised how little Gormenghast content there is out there. Such a unique psychedelic experience. Steerpike is one of my all time favorite villains.
I picked up the first book after seeing Tale Foundry's video about it. I don't have a lot of time to read novels these days except for in the middle of the night when I have insomnia, so it's been a slow progression, but I am finding the characters (including Gormenghast itself) utterly fascinating. The way Peake describes each character's physicality is so demonstrative and visceral - even their names have a visceral quality. It makes total sense that Peak was an artist.
Thank you for talking about this series! As challenging as it may be to read due to the slower pace, so far it's been worth the effort for all the delightfully descriptive gems and bizarre vignettes that Peake evokes through his scrutiny of the mundane. It's a bleak world, yet also vibrantly, even joyfully odd. Grotesque and sublime together in unexpected juxtapositions.
Gormenghast has absolutely beautiful prose. The world of Gormenghast is flowery, detailed, and cruel. A world of ritualistic bureaucracy and a free thought strangling autocracy where there is no place for concepts like fun. For a child, Gormenghast is like the ninth circle of hell. It was a difficult read for me, and I have few good memories of the book, but my lack of fondness does not stem from bad writing. It stems mostly from the ability of the writer to convey just how oppressive the book world truly is. He is right, though. I read this book many years ago, and I have not forgotten it.
I fell in love with the BBC series of Gormenghast as a child. It was hugely formative for me. I read the books in my twenties and adored them. So nice to see Gormenghast getting recognition on UA-cam ❤
His fingerprints are all over still. In the third GRRM Dunk & Egg story, one of the main characters is Lord Gormon Peake of Starpike,
You can find an intriguingly insightful lecture by one of Peake's sons about his father on UA-cam. One of the things that really resonated with me was Mervyn's obsession in all his arts - in finding the beauty in ugliness and the ugliness in Beauty... And trying to walk that tightrope. The lecture is about an hour long - and has interesting glimpses into his family life.
It's worth watching if only for Peake sketches of RAF pilots after a raid.
"Gothic as f---" is a pretty good description of Gormenghast all by itself.
Pretty much the only thing I ever knew about the Gormenghast books is that they take place in a gargantuan castle. That was also the one thing that always kinda interested me since I like old ruins and huge, labyrinthine structures. I was just never sure I'd like the rest of it, and I'm still not to be honest, but maybe I'll look into it if I get the opportunity.
I watched the adaptation on BBC yeeeaaarrss ago...was brilliant
Yes! I came to discuss the miniseries. Jonathan Rhys Meyers was masterful! (His name from memory forgive me if I’m remembering his name wrong)
@@multieyedmyr
You got his rather surprising name right.
From the photo on Wikipedia it looks like he'd still have the perfect look for (a slightly older) Steerpike.
I first heard about Gormenghast from Lin Carter’s “Tolkien: A Look Behind LOTR”. It took me years to finally get a hold of a copy, this was long before online book sales. It’s such an enchanting story and really unlike anything else I had read up to that point. “Titus Alone” is a bit of a disappointment after the first two books, but considering Peake’s health at the time we are lucky we got a complete novel at all.
I recall the 2000 BBC adaptation being quite good with a killer cast. Jonathan Rhys Meyers as Steerpike, Christopher Lee as Mr Flay, Ian Richardson, Stephen Fry, Fiona Shaw, etc etc.
I too started recently to read more fantasy besides Tolkien which i adore. Right now I am in the second book of The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant but i have been very interested in Gormenghast for some time now, since i want to start for the pillars of modern fantasy. Love your enthusiasm about it. Great video.
If you haven't read the amber books, you're in for a treat.
I read Thomas Covenant in h.s. in the 80's I forgot all about him. Thanks for reminding me.
Definitely going to pick this up after THAT review.
I'm excited to hear your take on Malazan. Be warned, he's an archeologist
Peake writes some of the most amazing phrases...
"the towers themselves will sicken at his death: the oldest stones will spew."
"His voice floated out of his soft head like a paper streamer."
It's just massively exciting to read as each image paints itself. I took more notes out of this book than any other fiction I have read. If you like Eco you'll love Peake, and vice-versa.
Titus Groan is the one book I come back to time and again. I re-read it every year - there is nothing like it. And I have the same edition you do. If you really love the books, the Folio Society have recently released a simply stunning set...
I saw a quick review the other day - "Gormenghast is like Downton Abbey, but all the characters are mad!"
Oh my gosh, I know. I want that edition so bad.
@@rammelbroadcasting I was a little disappointed initially that they went away from Peake's illustrations, but Dave McKean has done a stunning job. I believe he was originally commissioned to do something like 12 per volume, but he ended up doing over 200.
@keithhealing1115 Yeah, I agree about not using peake's art, but I really like Dave McKean he directed a kids movie written by Neil Gaiman back in the early 2000's called mirror mask. It was wild.
Gene Wolfe as well said in an interview that it was one of the influences for Book of the New Sun.
One of my favorite series!
My two favourite authors.
I love it, particularly the 1st book and the second-half of the 2nd. Glorious prose throughout!🤓
He also wrote a short story called the Boy in darkness, is technically the beginning of a possilbe 4th book.
You could probably place it between the first and second books if you liked.
Sounds super interesting going on the list, probably going to read it in 20 years or so
I read the Gormenghast books so long ago - decades ago, back when I was still in high-school. I'm glad the algorithm popped this video up as a reminder of it. Great, great books. 'Need to read it again. Mervyn Peake is a fantastic wordsmith. One of my strongest impressions left of when I read it was being impressed with just how many psychological, social, technological and ecological issues Peake managed to raise in his stories. Sometimes directly, sometimes indirectly, yet always without ever feeling it was unnecessary or gratuitous. I wonder if it will still feel that way reading it again now as an old man.
The opening description of the city calls to mind two writers' works very much outside the fantasy genre: Italo Calvino's "Invisible Cities," and Richard Brautigan's "In Watermelon Sugar." Both are modern must-reads if you have not already done so.
I have not read those.
I used to see this series whenever I went into a book store. I always meant to read it but never did for some reason. Michael Moorcock thought it was the greatest. I watched the TV series it was interesting in that low budget British television way.
this has been on my list for a bit but your enthusiasm sold me, gonna read it
Excellent video man. I'm sold.
Agree. It’s a hell of a read. Love the language, the characterisation.
I picked this book up because it was the basis for a song by The Cure called "All Cats are Grey". I love the song, but this book was so heavy and dour in the opening pages that I never stuck with it. I need to go dig it out, now!
It's actually quite funny if you have a sufficiently warped sense of humour.
I sometimes quote Dr Squallor's quips, and get blanked by my friends.
You gotta go with the flow with these books.
Interesting to see this pop up. I recently started rereading the first novel. Such good writing.
I love Gormenghast ❤ I always use the name 'Lady Fuchsia' as my character name in video games.
Really heartbreaking that Peake was already ill when writing the 3rd book, which was a challenge for him 😟😢 Another genius who passed far too young.
There was a prog rock band called Fuchsia back in the 70s.
Famous (if that is the right word) for *Me and My Kite*.
Queen walking with the herd of white cats you say... I may steal that.
If you like the cats I can recommend *Troubles* by JG Farrell, a story which may have been influenced by the Titus books
This got me excited to pick up the book! I'm glad the algorithm led me here 😄
i've read it four times and I'm certainly not done with it yet!
Yes. Everyone should read Gormenghast.
It's really an interesting book. Also it's cited as a major inspiration by many modern awesome authors like Gaiman or China Mieville
This has always been a staple in r/fantasy recs. Someday, I'm gonna get to it.
Thanks for the recommendation! One of my favourite authors, Robertson Davies, highly recommended this trilogy, and t!hough it's been in my TBR pile for quite some time, it's seemed daunting to start it. This review might just give me the push I need!
These are my favorite fantasy novels. My parents owned paperback copies when I was a small child, and that is how I came to know of the novels, though I didn't actually start reading them until my adolescence. The author's rich imagination and hypnotic powers of description absolutely captivated me, and a certain type of rainy, chilly autumn day came to be called by me "Gormenghastly" (though every season and mood can find their moment in Peake's story). The first novel, 'Titus Groan', is the strongest of the three, but I've long had a particular sentimental fondness for the concluding volume, 'Titus Alone', where Titus finds his maturity and independence away from his ancestral home, which he nonetheless will always carry within him. So beautiful, and so expertly evocative of the adolescent yearning for experience and freedom.
One of my favorites , and i never hear folks mention it.
Edit to add it has , IMO, one of the best Fights in fictions between Swelter and Flay.
Thank you. I just downloaded Titus Groan.
I have read them a couple of times. The first two volumes are great the third is a little hard to and doesn't fit.
There is a movie which is not bad.
Had no idea. Ordered and subbed.
One of my favourite series. I’ve always been amazed no one’s tried to make movie of it. As dense as it is. The BBC tv attempt didn’t work but in the hands of someone who loves it…it’d be incredible. Peakes illustrations are brilliant too.
Characterization was a big part of my enjoyment of the novel.
I've never come across anyone talking about this before! I watched the limited TV series on one of those public access channels when it released ~ 2000 & thought it was the weirdest & coolest thing I'd ever watched (also fell in love with Jonathan Rhys Meyers). I bought the novels after but it was a tough read for me as a teenager so never got through them. You've inspired me to try again now, though!
Like others here I fell in love with the BBC adaptation when it first aired back in my mid-teens. It became one of the first DVDs I ever bought and I went on to read the books on my commute to university over the course of my first year. It has always saddened me that more people haven't read them as it truly is a singular and unforgettable experience to walk the dusty halls of Gormenghast.
I had intended to recommend the works of Gene Wolfe, and in particular The Book of the New Sun, but looking at the comments I can see that you have already read them. Another series that may appeal are the books of the Viriconium cycle by M John Harrison. I read them around the same time and they satisfied in a similar way. They were written as a satire and a subversion of the swords and sorcery genre but end up being enjoyable examples of the type while at the same time painting vivid pictures with gloriously dense prose. The setting is similarly worn out and crumbling, people living in a world where the days of glory are a fading memory or even a dream. The books are considerably shorter and there is more of a focus on action though. I particularly enjoyed The Pastel City, the first book in the cycle. Mervyn Peake as well as the Dying Earth novels of Jack Vance were given as the authors primary influences.
Treasure that DVD. I got mine right after seeing the mini-series on tv. It’s now generally unavailable.
At least every video store I’ve asked about it says they have no record of it existing.
After finishing Gormenghast, it took six months before I could bring myself to read another novel. The writing was so exquisite that everything else paled in comparison. Trying to read another book felt like going from gourmet food to McDonald's.
Oh thank you! This is EXACTLY how I feel. I have tried so hard to find something similar - but I have come to realise that it is absolutely unique. There are other brilliant writers out there (I really loved Ishiguro's Klara and the Sun) - but there is nothing, nothing like Gormenghast. To me, although he was a great world builder, Tolkein pales by comparison.
@@keithhealing1115 I've never experienced anything like it since. Reading Gormenghast was tedious, frustrating, and thrilling. Mervyn Peake's talent as a writer is so prodigious and eccentric, the average person may find him unreadble. This is a tragedy and part of the reason why Gormenghast is heralded less than The Lord of the Rings. Parts of this novel are seared into my memory. Peake was a better poet than Shakespeare and a greater writer than Dickens. In short, he's the best storyteller the English language has ever produced.
@@PhoenixFlash-mg6oy I lapped it up when I first read it, which was perhaps thirty years ago. The big problem is that one cannot read Peake quickly. The books are not action-packed set-piece explosion-fests. Nor are they technical world-building exercises like so many fantasy seems to be now. They are slow-burn wonders of emotion and true gothic oddness. the characters are strange, but they are always grounded within their world - even the most sympathetic like Prunesquallor and Fuschia would be irritating - but they become glorious. And when Peake does write a set-piece...only he could get away with it.
I re-read Gormenghast a little while ago and the little scene where the Countess goes to talk with Prunesquallor and ends up milking a goat in his parlour whilst surrounded by her sea of white cats was utterly ridiculous - but absolutely beautiful and powerful. And no-one else could pull it off.
You are right - Peake's writing is not for everyone by any means. My wife tried reading it but couldn't get past the opening few pages.
But, if you are lucky enough to get it, it will work its way in like nothing else.
@@keithhealing1115 It took me a year to read Gormenghast. I'm glad I did. Love the bit where all the teachers play marbles with Titus. Also, love when the students set their professor on fire. It's not a novel that grinds to an inevitable conclusion. Plot isn't the point. When reading Gormenghast, it's all about the journey.
@@keithhealing1115
"Squallor!
Why do you have a bread knife in your ceiling?"
Wow. I have never heard of this book/Author. I will put it on my tbr. Thanks and Cheers!
I remember this one from when I was in college. I stumbled across the TV mini-series on PBS which led me to this book series. I enjoyed it and I'm glad to see something about it. I rarely come across much.
Bought it immediately after this review can’t wait to read it
You are so lucky to simply take a gander at reading some fantasy and stumbling into a literary masterpiece.
i have read mervyn peake's trilogy. i've also watched the bbc mini series. film can be the book, not just "based on the book". it was brilliant. it will always be.
Papa Tolkien named this as a big inspiration. I must imbibe this!
Considering that it was published in 1946, that's kind of a dubious claim. But C.S. Lewis did express admiration for the work. I only just yesterday discovered that that illustrated edition exists and I will definitely spring for the hard cover and give it a proper re-reading.
The BBC did a fair four-part adaptation of the first two books about 25 years ago. It cannot capture the atmosphere of the book nor, of course, its language, but the story is pretty much right. And a fine cast. Christopher Lee as Flay. Flay. You didn't mention the wonderful names, some of the best this side of Dickens (whose work Peake appreciated). The titular Titus Groan. Mr. Flay. Lord Sepulchrave. Abiatha Swelter. Steerpike. Muzzlehatch. Dr Alfred Prunesquallor.
@@majkus Christopher Lee actually knew the author Mervyn Peake, the lone cast member with that distinction.
It’s…weird.
No. He did not. Nor is he your Dad
@@barrymoore4470
Christopher Lee seems to have known everyone.
He doesn't seem quite right for Flay, but I'm sure he was pretty good.
First thing I thought of! It is a masterpiece, but it's an acquired taste. Not for those who only like superheros or wizards.
I read this when I was young and didn't get it until after I made my wife read it with me much later in life!!!
Always amazing recommendations!!
@@milo_yanez Thank you
Just from your review I really love it and I wish they made a modern movie about it 😢
Alright, then. Added to my reading list.
Did Steerpike murder Nanny Slagg?
I don't know and I'd be interested to see if anyone else has a strong view?
My favourite books. Incredible
My favourite book of all time. Read it.
Wow, I had not thought of these books for a long long time.
One of my favourite book series, glad you liked it so much! There is a BBC miniseries adaptation of it which is very hit and miss, some great performances but, it misses the overall tone of the books, imo. Great video, man, keep up the good work!
The BBC radio version was very good.
@@jameswight6259 i've never checked that out, i shall have to seek it out!
Loved this series.
Ive always wanted to read it. Fantasy is my favorite literary genre
I read Gormenghast and enjoyed it greatly..except for the the last book.I'm not sure if the authors' health was declining at that point..can't remember..but it's quite different in style and I didn't care for it.Just my opinion.
Yes, Peake's health was declining precipitously when he wrote the last volume, 'Titus Alone', and it was a real struggle for him to finish it. Though the first volume, 'Titus Groan', is the strongest in the trilogy, I've always had a sentimental fondness for 'Titus Alone', much of the story and theme speaking to the adolescent I was when I first read it.
One of my favorite high fantasy novels.
I bought it a month ago, but haven't started reading it yet. It was made into a tv series too.
---> *_What about the BBC TV-Series? I heard it wasn't good, as they made it into a comedy?_*
It always was.
A comedy with a certain amount of murder in it.
I think Mervin Peake did not write the 3rd book, but it was written from his notes, I could be wrong but I remember looking into it after the obvious change in writing style. It is a great set of books though.
Actually, he did write the third book he was just very sick when he wrote it. There was a fourth book called Tutus Awakes that was written based on his notes, like you said.
So its blame! But in a fantasy setting? Baha nah😅. Thanks for this video man im a big fan of your channel. Albeit a new fan. Look forward to what you have in store
I heard about Gormangast bought it and the vhs and an art book of the series then forgot it. I moved and found it unpacking my library and plan on reading and watching soon. But book collecting has its faults when things get lost in the stacks.
Never heard of it. You sold a copy of the trilogy before I finished viewing this video. Salesman of the year.
I read the trilogy in the winter of 82-83. I was 18 at the time. It was the most compelling work, and yet so so so weird.
Michael Moorcock introduced be to Peake, he’s a huge fan.
Yes, his 1978 novel 'Gloriana, or The Unfulfill'd Queen' is strongly inspired by Peake's Gormenghast books, and is dedicated to Peake's memory.
@@barrymoore4470
Glad to see someone else remembers Gloriana. Not my favourite Moorcock story but it has its moments.
This sound interesting indeed. I think I will get the same edition you have.
I have an idea what book to recommend for you next month, since you trying to expand your fantasy genre.
@draglogia5244 Awesome! I know I said in the video you can get it at Barnes and Noble, but just an FYI, you can normally find them online for cheaper.
Say no more, added to my TBR
I need to read this book already
I read it at about age 20. I didn't find a character that I really cared about. Book three was very strangely different in character from the others (no spoilers).
Read it years and years ago, and I even have the BBC series based on the books on DVD.
I used to think of the Gormenghast books as being fantasy until I found out that Peake more or less grew up in Imperial China. Now I don't read it as fantasy at all, the idea of a crumbling empire so old that people have forgotten exactly why they do these really specific rituals isn't fantasy, the books are still great, though. Like some other people here I saw the BBC adaptation first and sought the books out after. I have vague memories of the BBC having subsidiary programmes in which they congratulated themselves on the costume and set design (they do that a lot). They were going for a Kaiser Wilhelm era Germanic meets Oriental vibe, they said, if I recall. I recently rewatched it as someone had uploaded it to YT, albeit at a speed that was comically fast, presumably to circumvent copyright stuff. I have no idea how that works. Yeah, the TV adaptation doesn't hold up as well once you've read the books.
Gormenghast is brilliant but I don't know how much influence it had on the fantasy field. Lord Dunsany or even Conan creator Robert E. Howard were probably more influential. Dunsany was either the fantasy's real father or grandfather depending on how you look at it. He may be the only fantasy writer who wrote better prose than Peake. (Of course that's arguable.)
The only criticism of it is that the plot is very slow but it did not bother me though it does some people. It is also and unfinished series since there was suppose to be six books but Peake unfortunately got Parkinson's and died before he could write them.
Read it years ago. It was a bit of a slug to get through. But I loved the lack of violence for a medieval fantasy.
OMG i love gormenghast. people never discuss these books.
I might be remembering wrong, but I'm pretty sure I learned of these books because Stephen King mentioned them in his book Danse Macabre.
Got clickbaited by your title and came here to say yes, I totally have read it, and if anyone hasn’t then they totally should. There is no book quite like Gormenghast.
Watched the whole thing now and I want to take issue with your description of the characters as ‘contented’. Because in the version I read, every character was tragic and tormented.
In my top 10 reads of all time. ‘Titus Groan’ and ‘Gormenghast’ are brilliant ‘Titus Alone’ not so much.
I struggled with Gormenghast. I didn't manage to get into it until maybe the 3rd or 4th attempt
BRILLIANT! MANY Thanks!
I read the first volume as a freshman inHS but it was too slow compared to what I was used to reading by then
Bought it but haven’t attempted yet
I did read it many many years ago.
Makes me wonder if Elden Ring is influenced by Gormenghast, cancerous castles etc
guy finds out a fantasy book written by Woah! an artist
i have read it.
Actually I have read it.
I really dug the miniseries
so it's like medieval Blame!
Damn, I gave up around 1/5 of the book. And I've read the Bible.😅