One of the most influential and critically acclaimed fantasy writers of all time, Fritz Leiber pioneered the sword-and-sorcery genre! In the ancient city of Lankhmar, two men forge a friendship in battle. The red-haired barbarian Fafhrd left the snowy reaches of Nehwon looking for a new life while the Gray Mouser, apprentice magician, fled after finding his master dead. These bawdy brothers-in-arms cement a friendship that leads them through the wilds of Nehwon facing thieves, wizards, princesses and the depths of their desires and fears. Superb writing and brilliant, believable characterizations highlight the first entry in Leiber's seminal series.
Swords And Deviltry (Lankhmar)
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
About the Author
Fritz Leiber (1910-1992) was equally adept at writing science fiction, fantasy and horror. His works were honored with the Hugo, Nebula and World Fantasy awards. He was named a Grand Master by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America and received the Gandalf Grand Master Award for fantasy writing. The Big Time is his most famous SF novel.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
44 of 47 people found the following review helpful
By Brian Glass
Format:Mass Market Paperback
I've heard of the Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser series for as long as I've been reading fantasy but never bothered to pick them up. I'm always leery of starting long series. I took the opportunity with the new reprints of this series to jump in and start from the beginning. I'm not disappointed in the least.
While all the familiar fantasy trappings are here (the evil wizards, thieves guilds and helpless princess) they are done in a fresh way that makes this older series look more modern than most of the new books out. The cities are well developed and rich with a detailed history that is drawn with a quick sentence or two. Just the description of a mason's office adds a depth that automatically gives the city deep dimensions.
The characters are described as "anti-heros" but they act with honor and a code of conduct. they aren't perfect by any means but are drawn realistically.
The real beauty of the book isn't the swords and sorcery action although there is plenty of that. The great thing about this book is the relationships explored here. Fritz Leiber explores mother/son relations, the yearning of a young boy for a missing father and the longing for escape every teenager growing up in a small town feels. He describes the pain of fear Ivarian feels so exquisitely it almost breaks your heart.
The most amazing thing to me is that Mr. Leiber packs such a dense, rich narrative in only 217 pages. This book feels a lot more entertaining than several of the epic fantasies I've read in the past few years. Like another of my favorite authors, Ray Bradury, Fritz Leiber is succinct and to the point and truly a great storyteller.
37 of 41 people found the following review helpful
Format:Mass Market Paperback
This is the first of the Fafhrd and Grey Mouser books. It includes the origin story for each hero, as well as _Ill Met in Lanhkmar_, a classic novella that no true fantasy fan can afford to miss. It is truly exceptional.
Leiber can write circles around most fantasy writers, just as the Mouser's trusty blades Scalpel and Cat's Claw forever carve deadly arcs of steel lightning around so many hapless foes . . . Welcome to friendship, adventure and dialogue of the first water--welcome to Newhon!
(Note: This one is followed by Swords Against Death & Swords in the Mist. All 3 are available in a book-club edition called The Three of Swords, which is a great intro to Leiber's fantasy world and to "low" fantasy in general.)
22 of 25 people found the following review helpful
By "jradoff"
Format:Mass Market Paperback
Poor Fritz Leiber. He has never truly received the credit he deserves for fostering the fantasy genre. Along with the old Conan stories and Tolkien's Lord of the Rings, this is amongst the most influential works of fantasy fiction.
Fascinating worldbuilding, intrigue and exciting characters abound in these tales, all told with Leiber's exceptional artistic skills. Not only are the plots and personalities compelling, but Leiber has a magical rhythm to his storytelling and descriptions. This is one of the few stories that is on my "reread" list.
Fascinating worldbuilding, intrigue and exciting characters abound in these tales, all told with Leiber's exceptional artistic skills. Not only are the plots and personalities compelling, but Leiber has a magical rhythm to his storytelling and descriptions. This is one of the few stories that is on my "reread" list.
Pick this up and you'll love the stories--and when you look at the copyright date of these tales, you'll come to appreciate just how much Leiber has affected the fantasy authors that have come since.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Classic
So many books I read in my youth I have gone back and reread later. Most have lost their luster over time. Read more
Published 2 months ago by David G. Johnson
4.0 out of 5 stars
Surprising action, fascinating magic
I've been meaning to get around to reading the tales of Fahfrd and the Grey Mouser for some time now and I'm happy that I finally did. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Clare L. Deming
5.0 out of 5 stars
Like Peanut Butter and Jelly ...
... Fafhrd and the Gray Mauser just seem right together. I love everything about Fritz Leiber's Lankhmar stories. The stories just crawl with imagination and adventure. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Paula C.
4.0 out of 5 stars
Four Stars ... Still First Class
Five stars requires more... Fritz Leiber is still first class & this is required reading as far as I'm concerned.
Published 4 months ago by Edward Charles Thompson
5.0 out of 5 stars
loved it
It is a classic. Many see Lord of the Rings as the foundation of modern fantasy, but it started here.
Published 6 months ago by Nate
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Reread to Remember
There are three separate but interconnected stories in this book.
First, there is Fafhrd's origin story. Read more
First, there is Fafhrd's origin story. Read more
Published 7 months ago by William Reich
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great first book
Great book to introduce a series! Had read it before, really enjoyed it and as my first on-line Kindle book, very pleased!
Published 10 months ago by Moonglum
5.0 out of 5 stars
Classic sword and sorcery
He started it all. This is unique and interesting reading with real body to it. I can't even read most (meaning pretty much all) modern S&S.
Published 12 months ago by Luke
5.0 out of 5 stars
A World, A friendship and laughter of the Gods
I first read of the companions / champions Fafhrd and the Grey Mouser as an early teenager. Some of the writing was simple and some a slow slog ( as has been said before) in the... Read more
Published 24 months ago by Gordo Shumway
4.0 out of 5 stars
Satisfying beginning to a series
I've heard about Fritz Leiber for years, but having grown disillusioned with the fantasy and swords and sworcery genres a long time ago, I only now got around to trying out this... Read more
Published on February 21, 2011 by St. Paul 1
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