Curtis’s Reviews > Gloriana, Or, The Unfulfill'd Queen > Status Update

Staggeringly awful ending! The book vaporized the goodwill I'd lent it, making me wonder if I'd given Moorcock too much credit. So bad he went back & attempted to fix it a decade later. Even dialogue/exposition nosedives, with 2-3 twists revealed in succession in aon exposition dump. Gloriana never self-actualizes & isnt capable of carrying story if ending does so little with her. Seemed great 'til last few chapters.

More contrived naivite; Quire's grip on Gloriana is so sudden it makes her seem childlike. At least there's a reason: she was protected so much by training & environment that she's been kept away from the dark underbellies of society. Plus possible mind-control. Dimensions plot discarded; only justifies alt history setting. Flying through this last section; compulsively readable! Suspense high, excited for the end!

Tertiary character's interchangeability becomes a weakness, but it's negligible since the point being made about their corruption is simple. Una still a fave, but she made 2 dumb choices to further the plot. Still, suspense around her/Gloriana getting intense; I'm on edge of my seat! Hidden passages of palace SO interesting; hope we see more of it in climax. Third act starts with a bang, anxious to see how it ends!

Sudden 'whodunit' plot with dramatic irony; we know who's behind it all. Wondering if its missing out on potential intrigue this way. Still engaging; Gloriana becoming more interesting, with sudden interest in exploring walls/meeting the lowest rung of society. Mystery comes from identity of figure in walls (I guess it's her mom). Also Gloriana is a bi queen! Really engaging; thankfully avoiding earlier trashiness.

Masculine vs feminine: men violent, disrespect boundaries (personal and international), lament the relative 'softness' of Gloriana's leadership/diplomacy, which are linked to feminine. I want Quin to die so bad! Some moments are gratuitious/unsure what Moorcock is going for (fucking ape men). Good intrigue, though some characters hard to keep track of. Pretty disturbing at times, especially sexual stuff. Readable!

Prose better/less pulpy than expected. So far Gloriana is least interesting character in the motley crew we meet. 'Men writing women' aspects toughest part, but I feel its done with intention/commentary. Uncomfortable. Alt-renaissance; maybe alternate dimension? Like ASoIaF, wondering how much magic will enter story. Compellingly written, vivid characters, immersive descriptions. Shown what ruling is like. Promising!