In "The Dancers at the End of Time", Michael Moorcock introduces the reader to a Earth which has survived to the very edge of cosmic twilight through the determined harnessing of colossal energies millennia ago. Paradoxically, the inheritors of these mighty powers are utterly driven by something we might choose to call "fashion". These distinctive beings engage in an endless search for diversion, play and even - "art" performed upon the canvas of a world where all other pursuits have lost much of their meaning. The varied descendants of humanity include the endearing Jherek Carnelian who dares even social ostracism from his peers in the pursuit to discover what love is. A certain time-displaced Mrs. Amelia Underwood becomes the source of Jherek's affections -though the puzzling thing called "virtue" appears to be a nearly unfathomable obstacle. Supporting players include; the enigmatic Lord Jagged who has an enduring interest in Jherek, and one of the last true mothers in existence -the exquisite Iron Orchid, mother of Jherek Carnelian.
The reader encounters a multitude of other rare and nearly alien, human-descended creatures as they entertain their friends, lovers, and rivals in a riot of artistic excess. Even the looming threat of utter extinction and annihilation from the exhaustion of Time itself causes hardly a ripple in the unending party at the end of all things. Alien encounters, poetic love affairs, emancipation of the young, duels to the death, historical recreations - and collisions in time are all presented deftly in the course of the series by it's creator, Michael Moocock.
This reader has enjoyed "The Dancers at the End of Time's" vision of a fantastical future. Fans of Michael Moorcock's works will be pleased to learn that a new Elric novel immanently appears titled "Elric in the Dream Realms".
~ Mark B.
