Literary works of Andrzej Sapkowsky

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrzej_Sapkowski
from Elemental Forums

I doubt anyone knew him outside the Slavic parts of Europe (Poland, Czech, Slovakia, Russia maybe), but I think he now receives growing attention thanks to computer games Witcher and Witcher 2. I won't write about the Polish movie adaptation of Witcher, because that was, plainly speaking a disaster. But all the Witcher books are worth reading, especially the earlier short novels. I think he can do short, focused stories much better than epic sagas. 

However, I wanted to recommend to your attention his excellent trilogy about the Hussite movement in Middle Ages Bohemia:

Narrentum

God's Warriors

Lux Perpetua

 

Have anyone read them by chance? Is there an English translation?

It was an excellent read for me - wonderfully researched historical background, frequent Latin quotes, interesting, non black-and-white characters, witty anachronisms and situational jokes with prominent historical characters (Jan Guttenberg), excellent, vivid battles, brutality of the inquisition and secular ruling class. What I could do without is Sapkowsky's peculiar magical eroticism, but I guess if you read about people like Crowley, it may not be too far-fetched. Sapkowsky is no Umberto Eco in terms of historical accuracy and depth, but he still pushes fantasy several levels above anything else this genre has to offer (if I am wrong, I will be glad to read something fresh. So far, most of the traditional "fantasy" books I tried offer very little fantasy at all, just mixing the slightly moldy stew of traditional props like pointy hats, fireballs, dragons, evil artefacts and B class heroism).

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16,588 views 2 replies
Reply #1 from Elemental Forums Top

There is also a series, made for TV, based on the 'Witcher' character.  Its called The Hexer.  The Hexer TV show is rather dull, poorly done, and on very rare occasions, ascends above mediocrity.

Regarding Sapkowsky's Hussite Trilogy, the http://www.librarything.com/work/1368124/reviews site indicates that it is unlikely English translations are currently available.   Three years ago, when I played through The Witcher game, I also checked with the reference librarian about other Sapkowsky works.  It was not, then, available in English translation.  When his works are, I will certainly borrow them from the public library (and read them).  

Reply #2 from Elemental Forums Top

No English translation? What a challenge, I could even attempt co create one. But all I would achieve would be an imperfect result (I don't speak Polish, and I am not a native English speaker), and a lawsuit on top of that. What a pity - maybe after they make a computer about the trilogy. It would certainly make a nice story-and-character-driven turn-based strategy, something similar to King Arthur the Roleplaying game.

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