Andrzej Sapkowski, Witcher saga (Polish 1993, English 2007)
We had a task to read a book on our current English course so I immediately started brainstorming my choice. I have to admit I’m not really into books. From time to time I pick up an interesting book, read it through with just few pauses and then forget about books for a while. But there’s one specific book series which keeps pulling me back. The Witcher.
Andrzej Sapkowski is a Polish fantasy writer. And what kind of fantasy! While not yet popular world-wide his books are praised by reviews and readers. His books blow your stereotypes about fantasy worlds into little pieces. Forget about shiny white knights prancing around saving princesses and “literally devil” enemies. People in Sapkowski’s world are dirty and two-faced. Sounds like life, doesn’t it. There isn’t clear white and black. There’s just grey. Many shades of it. This fantasy world with no name owes much to Polish history and Slavic mythology.
Geralt of Rivia is blessed to be the protagonist of the series. Being loyal to book’s name Geralt is a witcher. Monster-hunter who has received special training and had his body modified at an early age to provide him with unnatural abilities. Thus he can take on dangerous monsters while not getting himself killed. Many witchers die during the modifications and Geralt seems to be one of the few hunters alive. Witchers in Geralt’s world live difficult time. No monsters seem to terrorize people’s peace since most of them have been slain. Hunters are now just seen as cold-blooded killers with no real meaning. Geralt also is not living easy life, wandering from town to town looking for a job.
The book itself is actually a collection of short stories telling about Sapkowski’s first stories where Geralt appeared. A book begins with frame story and flashbacks are told when Geralt meditates. Sapkowski has managed to make world oddly natural. People are living their life and not wanting to be part of others’ businesses. Geralt is a person who can be related to. He doesn’t know right or wrong, he only does what must be done. It is ultimately really hard to tell what makes the book so appealing. Maybe you should find out.