Von Bek: The Warhound and the World's Pain

The Eternal Champion

De: Michael Moorcock

Narrado por: Nicholas Boulton, Gerard Doyle

Ulrich von Bek, a facet of The Eternal Champion, makes a deal with the devil in this exciting adventure story from one of the greatest authors of our time.

This is the story of Ulrich von Bek, a cynical mercenary who sells his skills as a soldier in the wars taking place all over Europe. After the particularly horrific destruction of a city in which he played a role, von Bek decides to desert the military company he was working for and travel alone for a while before seeking further employment.

On his solo journey, he happens upon a castle where he takes refuge with—and then falls in love with—the keeper of the castle, the beautiful Sabrina. It is in this castle that he meets Lucifer, the master of Hell, and finds out that his soul is already destined for Hell. And so, in exchange for his soul, von Bek agrees to go on a quest for Lucifer, namely to find the Cure for the World’s Pain. This quest is also known as the Search for the Holy Grail.

As von Bek travels around Europe on his impossible quest, he will find himself caught up in wars, politics, intrigue, and romance. But he can never forget his purpose—or the terrible bargain he has made with the devil…

©2013 Michael Moorcock (P)2024 Simon & Schuster Audio

Deep and compelling story

Few fantasy works take the risks this book does. You can find yourself having empathy for the protagonists and antagonists while considering none of them a hero.

The world this book paints is vivid and believable and my one critisim is that it is explored so briefly in some places. The ending is satisfying but leaves you wanting more, which I believe was the intended effect.