Lankhmar Book 1: Swords and Deviltry (Lankhmar (Paperback)) 
asked by blueoasis on October 30, 2006 10:42 AM
In the ancient city of Lankhmar, two men forge a friendship in battle. The red-haired barbarian Fafhrd left the snowy reaches of Nehwon looking for a new life while the Grey Mouser, an apprentice magician, fled after finding his master dead. These bawdy brothers-in-arms cement a friendship that leads them through the wilds of Nehwon facing thieves, wizards, princesses, and the depths of their desires and fears. Superb writing and brilliant, believable characterizations highlight the first entry in Leiber’s seminal series.
Reviews
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The Fafrhd and Grey Mouser novels and short stories are very influential on all modern fantasy and contempory fiction and should be bought and studied by any reader who considers himself a fantasy buff.
The idea of two companions adventuring across a fictional world, both opposites in terms of physical and mental attributes is a common genre, appearing in Lord of the Rings, Batman and Robin and almost all super hero stories.
Leiber creates real characters, they whore, drink, steal and murder out of a whim unlike Tolkiens unrealistic ideal characters such as Legolas and Aragorn.
Leiber was also the first writer to introduce the 'Swords and Sorcery Genre' which has given birth to literally thousands of novels and short stories.
In this first novel we are told how the barbarian and thief meet and are told of their two wizardly mentors, Sheelba and Niguable, which provides context for the rest of the novels and short stories.
Leiber explores the ideas of morality and civilization with Fafrhds contrasting experiences of the Cold Waste and Lankhmar, while the Grey Mouser, considered one of the finest characters ever to be created in the history of modern literature, explores sexual humour and farce which can be compared to Chaucer's 'A Millers Tale'.
In short, any and all readers who consider themselves members of the contempory fiction community MUST read this book.
The idea of two companions adventuring across a fictional world, both opposites in terms of physical and mental attributes is a common genre, appearing in Lord of the Rings, Batman and Robin and almost all super hero stories.
Leiber creates real characters, they whore, drink, steal and murder out of a whim unlike Tolkiens unrealistic ideal characters such as Legolas and Aragorn.
Leiber was also the first writer to introduce the 'Swords and Sorcery Genre' which has given birth to literally thousands of novels and short stories.
In this first novel we are told how the barbarian and thief meet and are told of their two wizardly mentors, Sheelba and Niguable, which provides context for the rest of the novels and short stories.
Leiber explores the ideas of morality and civilization with Fafrhds contrasting experiences of the Cold Waste and Lankhmar, while the Grey Mouser, considered one of the finest characters ever to be created in the history of modern literature, explores sexual humour and farce which can be compared to Chaucer's 'A Millers Tale'.
In short, any and all readers who consider themselves members of the contempory fiction community MUST read this book.
reviewed by ladyrunner on November 13, 2006 3:21 PM
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Poor Fritz Leiber. He has never truly received the credit he deserves for fostering the fantasy genre. Along with the old Conan stories and Tolkien's Lord of the Rings, this is amongst the most influential works of fantasy fiction.
Fascinating worldbuilding, intrigue and exciting characters abound in these tales, all told with Leiber's exceptional artistic skills. Not only are the plots and personalities compelling, but Leiber has a magical rhythm to his storytelling and descriptions. This is one of the few stories that is on my "reread" list.
Fascinating worldbuilding, intrigue and exciting characters abound in these tales, all told with Leiber's exceptional artistic skills. Not only are the plots and personalities compelling, but Leiber has a magical rhythm to his storytelling and descriptions. This is one of the few stories that is on my "reread" list.
Pick this up and you'll love the stories--and when you look at the copyright date of these tales, you'll come to appreciate just how much Leiber has affected the fantasy authors that have come since.
reviewed by lovieduvie on November 21, 2006 6:14 AM