CBRBingo: Old series
I’m a latecomer to Andzrej Sapkowski’s Witcher series, drawn in by the Netflix series and thoroughly earwormed by its ridiculously awesome theme song. I loved the series and was looking to learn more about Geralt of Rivia, Ciri, Yenifer, the Continent and its complex backstory of magic and political intrigue.
I certainly learned some more about Geralt, the focus of this linked collection of short stories that tell of his work as a Witcher, a magic-shaped hunter, deperately needed by villages, towns and kingdoms plagued by monsters, but not welcome to stick around for long once the beast is slain and the agreed price paid. But not a lot. Geralt doesn’t talk much, and doesn’t have a lot of patience for the company of those who do, although he’s more open than TV Geralt, who is much more likely to snarl “Fuck off, bard!” at his only non-equine friend.
The Last Wish highlighted the fairytale elements of Geralt s adventures, telling familiar tales, but a few steps removed from the more Western European versions I loved as a child. I am not sure how much of the difference was due to traditions from Sapowski’s Polish heritage and how much was his unique twisting of the tales. But the result was a satsfying blend of recognition and surprise.
I haven’t yet read any of the other short story collections or novels in the Witcher series, but I expect to. Probably after I’ve watched series two of the TV series, and I’m hungry for more. While that ludicrously catchy song goes around and around in my head.