Unique- and if you don't know what that means, don't read it, because you'll be disappointed. The language is florid, but no more difficult than that in "A Clockwork Orange". The Worm Ourobouros (the dragon that eats its own tail) is a symbol of infinity- the last chapter of the story is the same as the first, and the very first time I read this book, when I (reluctantly) reached the end, I opened it up again and re-read it. I have since re-read it 8 or 10 times, and I know that I'm not alone. BTW, the virtues are NOT all military- loyalty and bravery do not require war.... ( )

This is a 'classic'. A lot of high-powered writers liked it. I tried several times to make it through it before I managed it. The language is almost constructed - it doesn't flow for me as much as writhe around before I finally pin it down. It's in an odd style (Elizabethan?) with a story that reminds me of the Iliad or the Odyssey. Great story, sucky style. Why he writes such long, convoluted sentences with archaic words in such a stilted style is beyond me. All the critics like it, but I doubt it will ever be popular with the masses.Once I got past the style, the story was a lot of fun. It's an imaginative world where the inhabitants are demons, witches & the politics are as bad as those of the Iliad. Heroes abound & they journey about committing deeds of bravery. ( )

To enjoy The Worm Ouroboros, one must accept the glorification of war, just as one must accept magic spells and E.R. Eddison's invented, pseudo-archaic language. Once you get used to the style, it is mostly unobtrusive and occasionally delightful.

Eddison's heroes are not very clearly drawn. The one exception is the dandy and berserker Brandoch Daha -- and now I've told you everything about him. Eddison often does a better job with the villains, such as King Gorice the nth (take your pick) and the aptly-named Corsus. The most nuanced and interesting character is the principled traitor Lord Gro.

As you might expect from a tale weak on characterization, events are plot-driven. The plot concerns the invasion of Demonland by the forces of Witchland under King Gorice, which includes the supernatural kidnapping and rescue of Goldry Bluszco, one of the lords of demonland. Despite the carefully constructed, symmetrical plot -- or maybe because of it -- the tale seems episodic. Actions are driven by a scheme external to the story, rather than growing from character.

At the end of the novel, the glorification of war becomes explicit. This -- and the nature of the ending itself -- rather broke the spell for me. Nonetheless, I enjoyed the book, and plan to read Eddison's Zimiamvia trilogy. ( )

I read all four books, one after the other, in the late 1960s. Each establishes characters and plots that will be furthered in subsequent books. In truth, there are no sympathetic characters in the books. But it is an astonishing feat of baroque writing, as the castle is revealed in great detail, along with creepy illustrations by the author. I thought it was amazing, a writhing mass of strange characters, some mad, some evil, some soft-headed. It isn't for people who want crisp action, a clean plot, and a hero to identify with. ( )

I found this to be one of the most beautifully written books I have ever read. The further I read, the more impressed I became. ( )