Fall and Ascent: Individuation in The Malazan Book of the Fallen

by Michael Woods, Steven Erikson (foreword)

Carl Jung's concept of individuation helps us understand the journey of life from birth to death and the psychological growth that ensues across the lifespan, and through each of life's stages. This analysis of Steven Erikson's ten-book fantasy series, The Malazan Book of the Fallen, explores how Erikson has applied the notion of individuation to his characters throughout the story, depicting and working through the individuation journey and its stages. In this rendering, Erikson is both exploring and undertaking the individuation process, and acts as a guide for the reader's own journey and growth.

The themes of Erikson's novels tie together and reflect the arc of the individuation journey, and the characters within the stories depict the process as a microcosm of that greater, inner process. Experiencing The Malazan Book of the Fallen as a modern myth prompts readers to undergo transformation, preparing them for the changes they'll encounter in life.

This book synthesizes, challenges, and reinvigorates Jung's psychology, drawing on ideas about archetypes, instincts, and alchemy, while unpacking the hero's journey through life and how it weaves through the notion of individuation. It elucidates the power of story as a facilitator of experience and growth, and what can be learned from witnessing the journey of individuation.

Genres: Nonfiction

487 pages, Paperback

First published February 17, 2025

Reviews

[The Anonymous LIBRARIAN · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fascinating and dense. Learn alot about Carl Jung and Individuation.
The subject is made paletable through the lense if Malazan. Also made me rethink a few characters.
A must read for the hardcore Malazan fans

[Hafid · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lectura obligatòria un cop llegida la saga principal, ja que ofereix un anàlisi acadèmic de les temàtiques i recull exhaustivament els punts principals del llibre dels caiguts. És una parada necessària abans de fer una segona re-lectura per veure amb més claredat tots els detalls ocults que Erikson va amagar en la narrativa, molt recomanada.

Com a part negativa: A vegades l'autor es perd massa en l'anàlisi acadèmic de Jung i poden passar pàgines i pàgines -denses a matar- reiterant sobre el mateix tema.