I REALLY can't wait for this to come out in English
dacole Send a noteboard - 30/11/2010 04:50:56 AM
Can you pre-order the English version of this yet? I REALLY wish we had a translation of the short story stuff...sigh...I can't believe they were not willing to publish it, it is such a great story and he is such an incredible writer. Sigh...and to think the only reason I found him was a computer game...
But man the first bunch of short stories soo awesome and blood of elves oh my..now THAT is great epic fantasy.
But man the first bunch of short stories soo awesome and blood of elves oh my..now THAT is great epic fantasy.
Polish writer Andrzej Sapkowski's The Witcher novels have been a huge international success, with millions of copies sold in over a half-dozen translations. In 2009, his third book (and first novel) set in the Witcher universe, Blood of the Elves, won the inaugural David Gemmell Award for Best Novel. Despite the numerous delays for the next book to appear in English translation, the fourth volume (although only the third in English translation, as both Gollancz and Orbit inexplicably have declined to publish the second book, The Sword of Destiny, despite that collection containing the backstories of several important characters and events that are explored in greater depth in books 3-7), Times of Disdain (although Time of Hatred might be a slightly more accurate rendering of the original title; it is the literal translation of the Spanish translation, which I just finished re-reading) continues the narrative and character arcs introduced in the three previous volumes.
Times of Disdain picks up shortly after the events of Blood of Elves. The Nilfgaard Empire has continued its invasion of the northern kingdoms. Yennefer, the sorceress who is the Witcher Geralt of Rivera's soulmate, has decided to take Ciri, the heiress to the Kingdom of Cintra and the Child of Surprise, to the island of Thanedd, which houses three academies devoted to training adepts how to utilize their magical gifts. Geralt, intimately linked to Ciri through bonds of destiny (established in "The Sword of Destiny" and "Something More", both found in The Sword of Destiny), has been slowly making his way through the same region when he learns that Yennefer and Ciri are nearby. It is in this reunion, foreshadowed perhaps in "Something More," where one of the key scenes of the book transpires:
- Di algo.
- No me gustaría perderte, Yen.
- Pero si me tienes.
- Esta noche tendrá final.
No, pensó Geralt. No quiero que sea así. Estoy cansado. Demasiado cansado para aceptar la perspectiva de finales que son principios, tras los que hay que comenzar otra vez de nuevo. Yo quisiera...
- No hables. - Con un rápido movimiento, Yennefer le puso un dedo en los labios -. No me digas lo que quieres ni lo que anhelas. Porque podría ser que no fuera a poder cumplir tus deseos y eso me causaría daño.
- ¿Y qué es lo que tú anhelas, Yen? ¿Con qué sueñas?
- Sólo con cosas que se pueden alcanzar.
- ¿Y conmigo?
- A ti ya te tengo.
Guardó silencio durante largo rato. Y esperó al momento en que ella interrumpió el silencio.
- ¿Geralt?
- ¿Mmm?
-Hazme el amor, por favor. (p. 127)
"Say something."
"I wouldn't like to lose you, Yen."
"But if you have me."
"This night will be the last."
No, thought Geralt. I don't want it to be so. I am tired. Too tired to accept the perception of ends that are beginnings, after which they have to begin again anew. I wanted...
"Don't speak." With a rapid movement, Yennefer placed a finger on his lips. "Don't tell me what you want nor what you yearn for. Because it could be that you aren't able to complete your wishes and that would cause me harm."
"And what is it that you yearn for, Yen? Of what do you dream?"
"Only of things that can be obtained."
"And with me?"
"You I already have."
He kept silent for a long while. And he awaited the moment in which she broke the silence.
"Geralt?"
"Mmm?"
"Make love to me, please."
For those readers who have read "Something More" (and for those who haven't, I translated the key passage in my earlier review), this reunion contains a poignant power because of how well Sapkowski set up Yennefer and Geralt's shared past. Not only does it provide a thematic mirror to the earlier story collection, but it also serves as a counterpoint to the darker tone that develops throughout this volume. As Yennefer, Ciri, and Geralt are (temporarily) reunited, the kingdoms around them collapse. 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.
Those readers who disliked the dialogue-heavy scenes in Blood of Elves probably will not find this book to their liking. 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. The "times of contempt" (I much prefer "times of hatred," as that term contains more the sense of active antipathy than does mere contempt, but since the English translation likely will be entitled Times of Contempt, I'll reluctantly employ that phrase here) are seen throughout this novel, as betrayals pile up on top of previously-buried misgivings and distrust. It adds up to a novel that contains a depth that might not be suspected at first. Sapkowski's ability to mix in myth (both Eastern European and Anglo-French alike) creates a narrative that moves quickly but without sacrificing the keen wit and pathos that has been a hallmark of Sapkowski's earlier Witcher stories. If Times of Contempt were definitely being released shortly, I would recommend strongly that readers rush and pick it up. As it stands, the publishing delays mentioned at the beginning of this review are all the more frustrating because it feels that a great narrative arc is being denied English-language monolinguals.
Times of Disdain picks up shortly after the events of Blood of Elves. The Nilfgaard Empire has continued its invasion of the northern kingdoms. Yennefer, the sorceress who is the Witcher Geralt of Rivera's soulmate, has decided to take Ciri, the heiress to the Kingdom of Cintra and the Child of Surprise, to the island of Thanedd, which houses three academies devoted to training adepts how to utilize their magical gifts. Geralt, intimately linked to Ciri through bonds of destiny (established in "The Sword of Destiny" and "Something More", both found in The Sword of Destiny), has been slowly making his way through the same region when he learns that Yennefer and Ciri are nearby. It is in this reunion, foreshadowed perhaps in "Something More," where one of the key scenes of the book transpires:
- Di algo.
- No me gustaría perderte, Yen.
- Pero si me tienes.
- Esta noche tendrá final.
No, pensó Geralt. No quiero que sea así. Estoy cansado. Demasiado cansado para aceptar la perspectiva de finales que son principios, tras los que hay que comenzar otra vez de nuevo. Yo quisiera...
- No hables. - Con un rápido movimiento, Yennefer le puso un dedo en los labios -. No me digas lo que quieres ni lo que anhelas. Porque podría ser que no fuera a poder cumplir tus deseos y eso me causaría daño.
- ¿Y qué es lo que tú anhelas, Yen? ¿Con qué sueñas?
- Sólo con cosas que se pueden alcanzar.
- ¿Y conmigo?
- A ti ya te tengo.
Guardó silencio durante largo rato. Y esperó al momento en que ella interrumpió el silencio.
- ¿Geralt?
- ¿Mmm?
-Hazme el amor, por favor. (p. 127)
"Say something."
"I wouldn't like to lose you, Yen."
"But if you have me."
"This night will be the last."
No, thought Geralt. I don't want it to be so. I am tired. Too tired to accept the perception of ends that are beginnings, after which they have to begin again anew. I wanted...
"Don't speak." With a rapid movement, Yennefer placed a finger on his lips. "Don't tell me what you want nor what you yearn for. Because it could be that you aren't able to complete your wishes and that would cause me harm."
"And what is it that you yearn for, Yen? Of what do you dream?"
"Only of things that can be obtained."
"And with me?"
"You I already have."
He kept silent for a long while. And he awaited the moment in which she broke the silence.
"Geralt?"
"Mmm?"
"Make love to me, please."
For those readers who have read "Something More" (and for those who haven't, I translated the key passage in my earlier review), this reunion contains a poignant power because of how well Sapkowski set up Yennefer and Geralt's shared past. Not only does it provide a thematic mirror to the earlier story collection, but it also serves as a counterpoint to the darker tone that develops throughout this volume. As Yennefer, Ciri, and Geralt are (temporarily) reunited, the kingdoms around them collapse. 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.
Those readers who disliked the dialogue-heavy scenes in Blood of Elves probably will not find this book to their liking. 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. The "times of contempt" (I much prefer "times of hatred," as that term contains more the sense of active antipathy than does mere contempt, but since the English translation likely will be entitled Times of Contempt, I'll reluctantly employ that phrase here) are seen throughout this novel, as betrayals pile up on top of previously-buried misgivings and distrust. It adds up to a novel that contains a depth that might not be suspected at first. Sapkowski's ability to mix in myth (both Eastern European and Anglo-French alike) creates a narrative that moves quickly but without sacrificing the keen wit and pathos that has been a hallmark of Sapkowski's earlier Witcher stories. If Times of Contempt were definitely being released shortly, I would recommend strongly that readers rush and pick it up. As it stands, the publishing delays mentioned at the beginning of this review are all the more frustrating because it feels that a great narrative arc is being denied English-language monolinguals.
Andrzej Sapkowski, Times of Disdain/Tiempo del odio
27/11/2010 03:24:22 AM
- 1279 Views
Bizarre that you would go to a Spanish translation (A translation note)
27/11/2010 04:05:28 PM
- 712 Views
Not really, when that's the only complete translation available in a language I read
27/11/2010 06:54:18 PM
- 772 Views
It's an interesting discussion about that title... "disdain" is indeed somewhat weak.
27/11/2010 06:35:14 PM
- 772 Views
When I have time later tonight, I'll translate the relevant passage near the end of the book
27/11/2010 06:57:23 PM
- 800 Views
Re: Andrzej Sapkowski, Times of Disdain/Tiempo del odio
27/11/2010 09:37:07 PM
- 843 Views
The main reason why I lean toward "hatred" is later on
27/11/2010 09:43:43 PM
- 810 Views
Yeah, there may be a slight difference between Czech and English meaning of the word
28/11/2010 10:49:23 AM
- 781 Views
Now for that passage near the end of the book I said I'd post
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.
28/11/2010 10:50:09 AM
- 845 Views
I didn't quote what happened immediately afterward, as that is a major spoiler
28/11/2010 07:16:39 PM
- 736 Views
Re: Now for that passage near the end of the book I said I'd post
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
29/11/2010 01:12:58 AM
- 639 Views
I find it funny that all the discussion in the thread is about the best translation of the title.
28/11/2010 10:17:44 PM
- 717 Views
Time of Contempt is closest to original meaning
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
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
29/11/2010 12:47:12 AM
- 848 Views
You made me want to go and reread this again
29/11/2010 12:07:46 AM
- 821 Views
I'm in the midst of re-reading The Tower of the Swallow
29/11/2010 12:32:23 AM
- 910 Views
Re: I'm in the midst of re-reading The Tower of the Swallow
29/11/2010 01:05:30 AM
- 855 Views
Re: I'm in the midst of re-reading The Tower of the Swallow
29/11/2010 05:02:48 AM
- 842 Views
Re: I'm in the midst of re-reading The Tower of the Swallow
29/11/2010 04:39:02 PM
- 878 Views
Still, seeing as many as six consonants together can be intimidating for some of us
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
30/11/2010 02:27:03 AM
- 853 Views
I refuse to give the Germans credit when it comes to language and grammar issues!
30/11/2010 03:04:30 AM
- 1018 Views
I don't see why; except maybe page long nouns
30/11/2010 04:22:37 PM
- 1062 Views
I dunno, some people dig saying "Machtübernahme" and "Größerdeutschland"
30/11/2010 05:53:43 PM
- 883 Views
I REALLY can't wait for this to come out in English
30/11/2010 04:50:56 AM
- 833 Views