D_Davis
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Jan 14, 2008
- Messages
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Hands down, this is the coolest thing I've ever read. The Merkabah Rider is a weird/horror western based on and steeped in Jewish folklore and Biblical mythology. The Rider is a mystic traveler searching for his renegade teacher who destroyed The Rider's San Francisco-based enclave of Kabbalists. His search takes him to around the desolate wasteland of an alternate-history America during the late 1800s. And what he learns while questing is that his renegade teacher is up to a lot more than he could have ever imagined. It's part Dark Tower, part El Topo mixed with Lovecraftian horror, wrapped up in a western setting and made unique by it's Jewish and Hebrew mythology.
The first book - Tales of a High Planes Drifter - contains the first four 'episodes' or novellas.
***
Merkabah Rider: Episode One: The Blood Libel
The Rider rides into a town where he finds that his kind - a Jew - are not wanted. There are some problems in Little Jerusalem, a neighboring town; it seems that a cult of Canaanites has been kidnapping children and feeding them to the great demon Molech. And thus the stage is set for a supernatural-soaked frenzy of mystic horror and western action.
I was first struck by how well-written Merkabah Rider is. For some reason, I was under the impression that it was going to be more juvenile and workman-like. But that's not the case at all. Erdelac is a very solid writer, with a unique style. And, what's more, he seems to have really done his research. I am glad that I have at least a basic knowledge of Old Testament, Biblical history and mythology, because Erdelac goes pretty deep with all the folklore.
Secondly, I was struck by by fast paced the whole thing is. Erdelac wastes no time in getting to the good parts. And there are a ton of good parts. The Rider fights spirits, demons, and evil men with his Volcanic pistol (destined to be one of those famously-cool weapons we nerds like to gush about), rides through the astral plane on a spirit-steed, and hears rumors about a certain group of Elder gods that might be making an appearance in his travels.
****
Merkabah Rider: Episode Two: The Dust Devils
More and more, these tales are reminding me of the Elric Saga. Take that as you will. Like Elric, The Rider is one uber-cool dude, who always seems to have exactly what he needs to thwart his enemies, but he is also highly flawed and conflicted. However, because he is the hero, we always know that he will pull through, and so the dramatic tension is found more in how the situations shape The Rider and what he learns.
The Dust Devils opens with The Rider walking into a small Mexican town (A rider who doesn't ride...). He meets some banditos and tells them he's from the north, and that he's heading south. He and the banditos then play a lengthy game of poker during which the seeds are sewn for a new and harrowing adventure.
What is most remarkable about these tales is how deftly Erdelac switches between western, action, and horror, and how expertly he conveys the conventions of each. This second episode begins with a lengthy scene straight out of a Leone western - it is slow, drawn out, methodical, and suspenseful. Then The Rider is fighting a giant windmill demon for his very life, and then finally finds himself in a mine being overrun by zhambis. And each of these parts flows organically from one to the next.
***
Merkabah Rider: Episode Three: Hell's Hired Gun
I didn't think it was even possible, but the third episode of The Rider's saga is even better than the first two; and not just by a little bit. No. This third episode is, without a doubt, once of the coolest things I've ever read.
After discovering an absolutely brutal massacre at a Christian Mission, The Rider heads into the hills continuing the search for his betraying teacher, Adon. It is now winter, and The Rider finds himself face-to-face with a terrible snow storm, and nearly parishes because of the freezing cold. He's rescued by an old eccentric Christian preacher. The preacher nurses The Rider back to health, and in doing so stares deep into his soul. He reveals The Rider's heart, and The Rider is humbled. The old preacher then tells the story of Medgar Tooms, the man responsible for the Mission massacre, and many others. Tooms is a man possessed by hatred, who, together with a heard of feral pigs, is hell-bent on destroying anything he can.
In Medgar Tooms, Erdelac creates a monstrous villain that is also sympathetic, and because of the character's motivation and actions, The Rider and the preacher are able to talk about redemption theology. This entire episode is hinged upon the ideas of life and death, love and loss, and forgiveness and redemption. It is by far the most emotionally moving of the first three episodes, and because of this all the action and horror is all the more powerful and tangible.
***
Merkabah Rider Rider: Episode Four: The Nightjar Women
While episode four of the The Rider's saga is my least favorite of the first book, it is still a dang fine read. This one reminded me a lot of Takashi Miike's Masters of Horror episode, Imprint. I'm not saying that one ripped off the other, but they are both similar in that they both have prostitution and abortion as key and central elements.
In this episode, The Rider faces off against Lilith, and her demonic whores in an attempt to discover what is happening to all the children and men in the small township of Tip Top.
This is probably the most character driven of the novellas, and I really enjoyed these moments. The Rider here is at his most humane and vulnerable as he struggles with lust and genuine love. He is also at his most vulnerable at the hands of Lilith; you see, Lilith knows his true name, and uses this information to have parley with The Rider. Lilith tells The Rider all she knows about his renegade teacher Adon, and The Rider cannot believe what she tells him; and yet he knows it's true.
I was a tad disappointed in how this episode ended - with more action and violence. I was actually enjoying the slower pace of the novella, and wanted The Rider and Lilith to talk more. Erdelac's decision to end on a note of action was not a bad one, nor was it forced, and, truth be told, there are some amazingly cinematic moments found in the climatic battle. It's just that I was enjoying my time spent with The Rider and the characters, and wanted more of that.
The first book - Tales of a High Planes Drifter - contains the first four 'episodes' or novellas.
***
Merkabah Rider: Episode One: The Blood Libel
The Rider rides into a town where he finds that his kind - a Jew - are not wanted. There are some problems in Little Jerusalem, a neighboring town; it seems that a cult of Canaanites has been kidnapping children and feeding them to the great demon Molech. And thus the stage is set for a supernatural-soaked frenzy of mystic horror and western action.
I was first struck by how well-written Merkabah Rider is. For some reason, I was under the impression that it was going to be more juvenile and workman-like. But that's not the case at all. Erdelac is a very solid writer, with a unique style. And, what's more, he seems to have really done his research. I am glad that I have at least a basic knowledge of Old Testament, Biblical history and mythology, because Erdelac goes pretty deep with all the folklore.
Secondly, I was struck by by fast paced the whole thing is. Erdelac wastes no time in getting to the good parts. And there are a ton of good parts. The Rider fights spirits, demons, and evil men with his Volcanic pistol (destined to be one of those famously-cool weapons we nerds like to gush about), rides through the astral plane on a spirit-steed, and hears rumors about a certain group of Elder gods that might be making an appearance in his travels.
****
Merkabah Rider: Episode Two: The Dust Devils
More and more, these tales are reminding me of the Elric Saga. Take that as you will. Like Elric, The Rider is one uber-cool dude, who always seems to have exactly what he needs to thwart his enemies, but he is also highly flawed and conflicted. However, because he is the hero, we always know that he will pull through, and so the dramatic tension is found more in how the situations shape The Rider and what he learns.
The Dust Devils opens with The Rider walking into a small Mexican town (A rider who doesn't ride...). He meets some banditos and tells them he's from the north, and that he's heading south. He and the banditos then play a lengthy game of poker during which the seeds are sewn for a new and harrowing adventure.
What is most remarkable about these tales is how deftly Erdelac switches between western, action, and horror, and how expertly he conveys the conventions of each. This second episode begins with a lengthy scene straight out of a Leone western - it is slow, drawn out, methodical, and suspenseful. Then The Rider is fighting a giant windmill demon for his very life, and then finally finds himself in a mine being overrun by zhambis. And each of these parts flows organically from one to the next.
***
Merkabah Rider: Episode Three: Hell's Hired Gun
I didn't think it was even possible, but the third episode of The Rider's saga is even better than the first two; and not just by a little bit. No. This third episode is, without a doubt, once of the coolest things I've ever read.
After discovering an absolutely brutal massacre at a Christian Mission, The Rider heads into the hills continuing the search for his betraying teacher, Adon. It is now winter, and The Rider finds himself face-to-face with a terrible snow storm, and nearly parishes because of the freezing cold. He's rescued by an old eccentric Christian preacher. The preacher nurses The Rider back to health, and in doing so stares deep into his soul. He reveals The Rider's heart, and The Rider is humbled. The old preacher then tells the story of Medgar Tooms, the man responsible for the Mission massacre, and many others. Tooms is a man possessed by hatred, who, together with a heard of feral pigs, is hell-bent on destroying anything he can.
In Medgar Tooms, Erdelac creates a monstrous villain that is also sympathetic, and because of the character's motivation and actions, The Rider and the preacher are able to talk about redemption theology. This entire episode is hinged upon the ideas of life and death, love and loss, and forgiveness and redemption. It is by far the most emotionally moving of the first three episodes, and because of this all the action and horror is all the more powerful and tangible.
***
Merkabah Rider Rider: Episode Four: The Nightjar Women
While episode four of the The Rider's saga is my least favorite of the first book, it is still a dang fine read. This one reminded me a lot of Takashi Miike's Masters of Horror episode, Imprint. I'm not saying that one ripped off the other, but they are both similar in that they both have prostitution and abortion as key and central elements.
In this episode, The Rider faces off against Lilith, and her demonic whores in an attempt to discover what is happening to all the children and men in the small township of Tip Top.
This is probably the most character driven of the novellas, and I really enjoyed these moments. The Rider here is at his most humane and vulnerable as he struggles with lust and genuine love. He is also at his most vulnerable at the hands of Lilith; you see, Lilith knows his true name, and uses this information to have parley with The Rider. Lilith tells The Rider all she knows about his renegade teacher Adon, and The Rider cannot believe what she tells him; and yet he knows it's true.
I was a tad disappointed in how this episode ended - with more action and violence. I was actually enjoying the slower pace of the novella, and wanted The Rider and Lilith to talk more. Erdelac's decision to end on a note of action was not a bad one, nor was it forced, and, truth be told, there are some amazingly cinematic moments found in the climatic battle. It's just that I was enjoying my time spent with The Rider and the characters, and wanted more of that.
