The Elric Books

What is it about the Elric books that makes them so enjoyable and popular?

The Elric books (and indeed, all of Michael Moorcock's Eternal Champion fantasy books) have a vigor that is very attractive. Written at a time when the stereotypes of Tolkien and Howard largely dominated the fantasy field, Elric was conceived as a break from those stereotypes: instead of a powerful barbarian who hacks his way to a throne, Elric is weak, a sorcerer, and an Emperor whose actions contribute to the destruction of his nation; instead of pointy-eared elves who appear largely as forces of good, Melnibonéans are a cruel, proud race ignoring their decaying empire and their own decline.

The concept of Law and Order that Moorcock used throughout these books seems to have significantly influenced the roleplaying game D&D in its early stages, and perhaps have inspired later fantasy writers such as Louise Cooper. It continues to inspire roleplaying games today.