Who is David Gemmell

D avid gemmel, who died on july 2006, was probably one of the greateat fantasy writers. He was an amazing storyteller and he wrote us a lot of stories about heroes. Many of these heroes were so human that you could not but love them. And i think that some of the fictious people were shards of his soul, because his life had been a rough one.

(quoting from website: "gemmel mania") 

David Gemmell was born in London, England, in the summer of 1948. Expelled from school at sixteen for organizing a gambling syndicate, he became a laborer by day, and at night his six-foot-four-inch, 230-pound frame allowed him to earn extra money as a bouncer working nightclubs in Soho. He has also worked as a freelance journalist with the London Daily Mail, Daily Mirror, and Daily Express.

His first novel, Legend, was published in 1984 and has remained in print ever since. He became a full-time writer in 1986.

 "Legend"

Was recommended by a friend of mine, a girl called daniela. She had been an extremely avid but selective reader: she would not endorse an author that was not of high quality. So when she heartily recommended "LEGEND", i knew it was great.

I was wrong. It was amazing. Druss, the main hero, was a tragic figure. He had to be a hero for the sake of his nation. He was old and tired, but he had to give all was left of his life to counter an invading horde of barbarians. In a matter of few pages i started believing in Druss.

I read the book so fast that, in order to know what was going to happen, i slept 4 hours in 2 nights. I have't been so addicted to a story in years, last time was probably when i red the Lord of the rings for the first time.

I've read more books from him, David Gemmell was a prolific author, but the most beautiful remains the first books i've read:

- Legend

- King beyond the gate

- Echos of the great song 

I'm trying to fullfill his bibliography, year after year.. 

My fantasy book muse, Daniela, is also the author of an incredible fantasy comic called "Unchained".