- Paperback: 496 pages
- Publisher: Orbit; paperback / softback edition (15 Jan 2004)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 1841492159
- ISBN-13: 978-1841492155
- Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 17.8 x 3.7 cm
- Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 626,577 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Description
Review
A laudable and immensely readable debut from a sparkling new voice (DIVERSEBOOKS.COM )
There is no faulting Cockayne's story telling. His style is direct and simple, yet very engaging. He seems as equally comfortable writing pathos and humor as he is at dealing with myths and violence. (SFREVU.COM )
A heady fusion of well-known fantasy tropes and the quiet oddness of everyday life, with a dash of social satire for good measure. (ZONE-SF.COM )
There is no faulting Cockayne's story telling. His style is direct and simple, yet very engaging. He seems as equally comfortable writing pathos and humor as he is at dealing with myths and violence. (SFREVU.COM )
A heady fusion of well-known fantasy tropes and the quiet oddness of everyday life, with a dash of social satire for good measure. (ZONE-SF.COM )
SFX
'A compelling read'
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Hats off to Steve Cockayne. He made an impressive debut with 'Wanderers and Islanders', the first in his Legends of the Land series, but with this second volume has delivered something even better. Not only is 'The Iron Chain' an excellent book in its own right, but by picking up and developing plot-lines and characters from 'Wanderers', it manages to fill out much of what occurred in that first volume, enhancing the reader's enjoyment of both.
We are reintroduced to some of the main charecters from 'Wanderers' - Rusty Brown, Leonardo Pegassus and his multiple empathy engine - as well as many of the supporting cast and several newcomers. As the story develops, the characters' lives follow their own paths, frequently crossing - sometimes just in passing, sometimes for longer periods - with even the most casual encounters proving to have greater significance than the individuals themselves may realise. It is as if they are all weaving an intricate pattern, performers in an elegant dance with the author as the choreographer.
Mr. Cockayne handles the narrative masterfully, with flashes of wry humour, although this is by no means a comedy and never threatens to spill over into farce. In that respect, it is vaguely reminiscent of Hope Mirrlees 'Lud-in-the-Mist', though in a more modern context. In truth, the writing is refreshingly original and defies such comparison. The author shows great skill in creating characters with bizarre, often sinister aspects and yet - because he leads us through their lives, showing the reader how such aspects develop - we find them acceptable, even reasonable.
The story contains much warmth but also has a darker side and as the tale progresses, the shadows at its fringes creep ever nearer to the light.
Mr. Cockayne presents us with fantasy served from a different angle, viewed from a different perpective. The Land and its inhabitants take on a richer substance with each volume and I look forward to reading the third. 'The Iron Chain' is a tremendously imaginative and enjoyable book, which I cannot recommend highly enough to any reader.
0 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
The Iron Chain is not the usual middle book in a fantasy trilogy. It has purpose, it has characters who have their own ideas and rather resent the idea that someone else may have a destiny. And like both Wanderers and Islanders, and The Seagull Drovers, The Iron Chain introduces us to new ways of writing fantasy.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
1 review
Beautifully written, if a little bit chilly.
17 Oct 2006
Format:Paperback
I had quite a few conflicting feelings after I read the first book in the Legends of the Land: Wanderers and Islanders. I admired it, and I wanted to read more, but I felt as though it was missing something of a heart.
I have similar feelings about The Iron Chain, although I think that I admire it even more than I admired the first book. It hangs together just a little bit better, and somehow feels more complete in terms of the characters. I would be hard pressed to find fault with the structure or the execution. Cockayne is really an impressive craftsman.
This said, I still find the book a little bit cerebral. This reaction is as likely to be about me as it is to reflect the quality of the book. I have a similar reaction to the work of Jeffrey Ford-- something about being more interested in the world that they are creating than they are in the readers of the book.
My issues should not dissuade you from reading in the series. Cockayne is a fine writer, and it is a shame that he does not seem to be better known in the US. Particularly if you enjoy writers from the Fantastic tradition, Cockayne is definitely a novelist that you should check out.
I have similar feelings about The Iron Chain, although I think that I admire it even more than I admired the first book. It hangs together just a little bit better, and somehow feels more complete in terms of the characters. I would be hard pressed to find fault with the structure or the execution. Cockayne is really an impressive craftsman.
This said, I still find the book a little bit cerebral. This reaction is as likely to be about me as it is to reflect the quality of the book. I have a similar reaction to the work of Jeffrey Ford-- something about being more interested in the world that they are creating than they are in the readers of the book.
My issues should not dissuade you from reading in the series. Cockayne is a fine writer, and it is a shame that he does not seem to be better known in the US. Particularly if you enjoy writers from the Fantastic tradition, Cockayne is definitely a novelist that you should check out.
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