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I'm in the midst of re-reading The Tower of the Swallow Larry Send a noteboard - 29/11/2010 12:32:23 AM
Which is bad as the books are an ocean away.


Well, it's almost as bad as having to spend $50-60 per book to import them all (split into 8 volumes for the Spanish edition, as The Lady of the Lake was divided in two there) from Spain :P

I keep feeling lost by you referring to this as too 4th/3rd book. I'm so used to the short stories being considered separate from the Geralt saga.


Just following the Spanish convention here, since I'm (from necessity) reviewing the Spanish translations as much as the stories themselves. There, the two short story volumes and the five novels are referred to as La saga de Geralt, Libros I-VIII. The final half of The Lady of the Lake was only published a few months ago, so I decided to review/re-read the other volumes before reading/reviewing the final volume.

I also never understood why they didn't publish Sword of Destiny. I think that they either shouldn't publish the short stories at all or just take the ones important for the Geralt, Yennefer and Ciri back stories from both Polish collections and put them in one volume.

The nefarious mastermind whom the assassin Rience served in Blood of Elves is revealed and from there, at roughly the halfway point of this 272 page novel, the novel explodes into a maelstrom of action as the Nilfgaardians advance; the elvish Squirrels, the dwarves, the gnomes, and refugee humans continue to distrust and poach the weak and unwary among the others; and Ciri discovers some of the elements of her terrible power, leading to a series of surprising events that conclude this volume.

I think that I was spoiled by how much happens in those books despite the fact that they are so short (compared to most of the fantasy books nowadays). I caught myself often feeling that the most fantasy stories are way, way longer then the plot demands and wishing for a Reader's Digest version (GRRM I'm looking at you).


I think it's going to be fun hinting at just who (and what) Regis is when I review Baptism of Fire tonight/tomorrow evening. yes, there certainly is a lot that happens here, all without development being sacrificed.

Those readers who disliked the dialogue-heavy scenes in Blood of Elves probably will not find this book to their liking.

Dialogue is the best part :|

I don't know if it's as much fun in Spanish (or English) as it is in Polish but in Polish it's so quotable :)


It's a struggle not to quote a lot more from the Spanish translation (like the unicorn bit from this particular book), but the English translation of The Last Wish and Blood of the Elves underwhelmed me.

But it was a problem in comic book adaptation to fit it all in a panel and still have place for drawing :P


I'll take your word for it :P

However, for those who want to read an imaginative and character-driven Sword and Sorcery-influenced novel, then Times of Contempt will be a pleasing read. Sapkowski explores not just the external scenic trappings, but he delves into the complex "ecological" relationships between living beings and their surroundings. He touches upon the traumas inflicted upon individuals, families, and nations in the name of "glorious" warfare.

This is the part that I loved the most. All the connections. The fighting theories and prophecies. People with good intentions doing as much damage as those with bad. The 'good side' being only good because it is one under attack and the heroes are from it not because of any moral superiority. And the 'bad guys' being much more ordinary then evil. But I think I'm getting ahead ;)


And something about "rodents" and someone in black armor? O<img class=' />
Illusions fall like the husk of a fruit, one after another, and the fruit is experience. - Narrator, Sylvie

Je suis méchant.
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Andrzej Sapkowski, Times of Disdain/Tiempo del odio Larry - 27/11/2010 03:24:22 AM 1279 Views
Bizarre that you would go to a Spanish translation (A translation note) Tom - 27/11/2010 04:05:28 PM 712 Views
Not really, when that's the only complete translation available in a language I read Larry - 27/11/2010 06:54:18 PM 772 Views
It's an interesting discussion about that title... "disdain" is indeed somewhat weak. Legolas - 27/11/2010 06:35:14 PM 773 Views
When I have time later tonight, I'll translate the relevant passage near the end of the book Larry - 27/11/2010 06:57:23 PM 800 Views
Re: Andrzej Sapkowski, Times of Disdain/Tiempo del odio wahooka - 27/11/2010 09:37:07 PM 843 Views
The main reason why I lean toward "hatred" is later on Larry - 27/11/2010 09:43:43 PM 810 Views
Yeah, there may be a slight difference between Czech and English meaning of the word wahooka - 28/11/2010 10:49:23 AM 781 Views
Makes sense to me Larry - 28/11/2010 07:13:08 PM 839 Views
Now for that passage near the end of the book I said I'd post Larry - 28/11/2010 02:35:38 AM 766 Views
Hm. I'd actually say it makes me more inclined to think "contempt" is right after all. Legolas - 28/11/2010 10:50:09 AM 845 Views
I didn't quote what happened immediately afterward, as that is a major spoiler Larry - 28/11/2010 07:16:39 PM 736 Views
Fair points. *NM* Legolas - 29/11/2010 12:26:28 AM 398 Views
Re: Now for that passage near the end of the book I said I'd post wahooka - 28/11/2010 11:03:18 AM 770 Views
Re: Now for that passage near the end of the book I said I'd post Ellestra - 29/11/2010 01:12:58 AM 639 Views
Larry - 29/11/2010 04:53:12 AM 777 Views
I find it funny that all the discussion in the thread is about the best translation of the title. Stephen - 28/11/2010 10:17:44 PM 717 Views
Actually, it also plays a key role in the action of this book Larry - 29/11/2010 12:47:19 AM 868 Views
Oh, I'm just surprised one word can be that important Stephen - 29/11/2010 01:03:48 PM 665 Views
Time of Contempt is closest to original meaning Ellestra - 28/11/2010 11:42:56 PM 830 Views
Perhaps, but there's been a weakening of "contempt" in English over the past few generations Larry - 28/11/2010 11:55:16 PM 896 Views
Re: Perhaps, but there's been a weakening of "contempt" in English over the past few generations Ellestra - 29/11/2010 12:47:12 AM 848 Views
True, to a large extent at least Larry - 29/11/2010 04:57:00 AM 1084 Views
You made me want to go and reread this again Ellestra - 29/11/2010 12:07:46 AM 821 Views
I'm in the midst of re-reading The Tower of the Swallow Larry - 29/11/2010 12:32:23 AM 911 Views
Re: I'm in the midst of re-reading The Tower of the Swallow Ellestra - 29/11/2010 01:05:30 AM 855 Views
Re: I'm in the midst of re-reading The Tower of the Swallow Larry - 29/11/2010 05:02:48 AM 842 Views
Re: I'm in the midst of re-reading The Tower of the Swallow Ellestra - 29/11/2010 04:39:02 PM 878 Views
Still, seeing as many as six consonants together can be intimidating for some of us Larry - 29/11/2010 11:37:22 PM 887 Views
Re: Still, seeing as many as six consonants together can be intimidating for some of us Ellestra - 30/11/2010 02:27:03 AM 853 Views
I refuse to give the Germans credit when it comes to language and grammar issues! Larry - 30/11/2010 03:04:30 AM 1018 Views
I don't see why; except maybe page long nouns Ellestra - 30/11/2010 04:22:37 PM 1063 Views
I dunno, some people dig saying "Machtübernahme" and "Größerdeutschland" Larry - 30/11/2010 05:53:43 PM 883 Views
Hey those are short Ellestra - 01/12/2010 03:44:42 AM 903 Views
I REALLY can't wait for this to come out in English dacole - 30/11/2010 04:50:56 AM 833 Views
Re: I REALLY can't wait for this to come out in English Ellestra - 30/11/2010 03:45:33 PM 845 Views
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