Book Review – The Last Wish
Author: Andrzej Sapkowski
Publisher: Gollancz
Binding: Paperback
Publication Date: April, 2007
The Last Wish by Polish ‘superstar’ writer Andrzej Sapkowski, is a mosaic novel compromising seven short stories alternated with a short scene, which bridges the several short stories. It sort of introduces the reader to the cast and setting.
Sapkowski began writing in the ‘80s, his story The Witcher was published in Poland’s leading fantasy literary magazine, Fantastyka in 1986. Subsequently, he wrote a cycle of tales based on the world of The Witcher, comprising three collections of short stories and five novels. This cycle has made him one of the best-known fantasy authors in Poland in the ‘90s. In Poland he has one five prestigious Zajdel Awards and in Spain he has won two awards for the best anthology and best foreign short story. In 2007, Gollancz picked up this novel (published in Poland in 1993) and translated it to the English language for the first time. His first Geralt novel titled Blood of the Elves will be published by Gollancz in August 2008. The Witcher has also been developed into a computer role-playing game by CD Projekt and was released in both Europe and the US this year.
This mosaic novel revolves around the adventures of the main character of the saga, Geralt of Rivia. Geralt is a witcher, a sterile mutant with supernatural abilities, who has received special training and preparation in order to cleanse the world of dangerous monsters (as illustrated in the citation below). Geralt exists in an ambiguous moral universe, yet manages to maintain his own coherent code of ethics. The setting in which the adventures take place has clearly been inspired by JRR Tolkien (particular the Elves, who appear to be very reminiscent of Tolkien’s creations in physical form and attitude) as well as Slavic mythology and Polish history.
‘Well,’ agreed the poet, still staring at his sole, ‘maybe not. But our professions differ somewhat. The demand for poetry and the sound of lute strings will never decline. It’s worse with your trade. You witchers, after all, deprive yourselves of work, slowly but surely. The better and the more conscientiously you work, the less work there is for you. After all, your goal is a world without monsters, a world which is peaceful and safe. A world where witchers are unnecessary. A paradox, isn’t it?’ (p. 161)
The seven short stories consisting of The Last Wish, vary themselves in tone but not so much in quality. Sapkowski is not a Terry Pratchett in style and does not attempt to be one. Rather he varies the light, ironic tone with a more melancholic one, such as when Geralt considers his profession and his friend the poet Dandillion responds (see above). The Last Wish is not meant as parody on other fantasy novels, there is no comedy for the sake comedy, and it is a novel that –despite the sometimes ironic tone- takes itself seriously.
Throughout the novel, the quality of the stories is consistent. There is an undercurrent of whimsical humor to the stories, which gives the otherwise pedestrian plot a nice, humorous twist. One of the things I particularly enjoyed reading was how Sapkowski had ‘tweaked’ and twisted the various fantasy clichés. For example, take the typical werewolf type and let Sapkowski work on it.
The monster suddenly gasped and tilted his monstrous head.
‘Look at him, isn’t he brave?’ He spoke calmly, baring his fangs and glowering at Geralt with bloodshot eyes. ‘Lower at that iron, if you please. Perhaps you’ve not realised you’re in my courtyard? Or maybe it’s customary, wherever you come from, to threaten people with swords in their own courtyard?’
‘It is customary,’ Geralt agreed, ‘when faced with people who greet their guests with a roar and the cry that they’re going to tear you to pieces.’
‘Pox on it!’ The monster got himself worked up. ‘And he’ll insult me on top of it all, this straggler. A guest, is he? Pushes his way into the yard, ruins someone else’s flowers, plays the lord and thinks that he’ll be brought bread and salt. Bah!’ (p. 45)
In this instance, Sapkowski has successfully managed to twist the fantasy cliche of blood lusting werewolf, attacking innocent people by full moon, into a creature that amuses but does not completely ridicule itself. Throughout the short stories, Geralt encounters all kinds of ‘monsters’, but none are quite what they seem.. Puzzling how they differ from the usual archetype was quite the enjoyable thing to do when reading this novel I found. Because the writer does succeed into bringing something new to the table, the stories generally have a breath of fresh air to them, a breath of originality. That makes the novel both fun and challenging to read.
The world building aspect of the novel is quite well thought out, although not entirely original. I noted earlier that Sapkowski’s Elves were very reminiscent of Tolkien’s, and -although this world isn’t inhabited by hobbits or is under attack of an Evil Lord- the setting features the well-known villages, castles and rural backgrounds of the Middle Ages. More original are the Slavic mythology elements incorporated in the setting. I do have admit that I am not too well-versed in Slavic mythology, having read more Greek, Nordic and Egyptian mythology when I was younger, but I could understand enough of it to experience the unique, mysterious Slavish feel it gave the setting. Enough to leave me wanting more.
Insofar as I am able to judge (not being able to either read or speak Polish), the translation to English was mostly quite well done. There are the occasional hiccups, words repeated closely together for instance, but these are minor complaints. Luckily, it occurs not nearly enough to disturb the precious suspension of disbelief.
Before I round up this review, I wanted to share one last citation that illustrates the nature of the more action-oriented scenes and in which Geralt uses an interesting Sign (magical ability) that might interest Fantasybookspot readers.
He immediately regretted his sarcasm. The woman raised her hand and a golden streak shot out from her fingers. Geralt reacted instinctively, crossing both hands in the Sign of Heliotrope, and caught the spell just in front of his face, but the discarge was so strong that it threw him back against the wall. He sank to the floor. (p. 226)
Rounding up, The Last Wish was an enjoyable and amusing read with some interesting takes on various fantasy clichés. The setting was not entirely original, but the Slavic mythological elements left me wanting for more. The translation had some occasional hiccups, but not nearly enough to disturb the suspension of disbelief. A very good introduction to Sapkowski’s other works.
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