Customer Reviews

Swords Against the Shadowland (Lankhmar: Adventures of Fafhrd and the Grey Mouser)

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I remember clearly the grotesque and wonderful world that Leiber introduced me to. In it, two amoral rogues schemed and plotted, always treading a fine line between evil and mere self-interest, their only salvation being their friendship with each other. The world Leiber created, especially in the earlier stories, was baroque, Bailey's Nehwon is only detailed. Leiber toyed with ideas (who can forget the many worlds rising up the fabric of the universe like bubbles in champagne?), Bailey juggles a few catch phrases that have an annoying way of repeating themselves. Leiber's villains (and they are all villains really) stepped out from Shakespear's tragedies and comedies, Bailey derives his sorceror and the overlord from a b-grade Hollywood script. Leiber's plots twisted, introducing new turns every few pages, Bailey's entire structure can be summed up as an extended car chase through Lankhmar.

It would not have been so bad if Bailey had not tried to emulate Leiber, as it seems he has with this novel. He should have done something new, dared to be himself, put a whole new spin into things. Leiber is dead after all and nobody expects him to be replaced.

This book provides average sword-and-sorcery fare; unfortunately Bailey hasn't got the inscrutable Leiber touch. One point in particular: Leiber's rogues are undoubtedly best friends... something we came to understand by following their decisions and behaviors. In Bailey's version, our heros constantly reiterate, either aloud or in thought, "Gee whiz, this guy sure is my best friend." A better story would have convinced me of that fact without all the soliloquizing.

As I read my way towards the end of this book via the iffy prose of the first two chapters, the obvious filches from other sources ( Forbidden Planet, Terminator 2: Judgement Day, and Blade Runner ) complete with scene descriptions and dialogue, the Twains' cheesy repartee, and the contradictions between this story and the originals, I considered Roy Batty's final line with respect to R.W.B: "Time to die," or perhaps even more appropriately: `A CURSE upon Master Clark Ashton Smith and all his heirs, who thought to pick my brain and slip away, false fleeting agent of my old enemies. Upon him the Long Death, the paramental agony! When he strays back as all men do. The fulcrum (0) and the Cipher (A) shall be here, at his beloved 607 Rhodes. I'll be at rest in my appointed spot (1) under the Bishop's seat, the heaviest ashes that he ever felt....' ( Fritz Leiber: Our Lady of Darkness.)

In the last couple of pages the contradictions were resolved by the use of a, `draught of forgetfulness,' provided by Sheelba - which was a relief. But the story really had nothing new as regards the core ideas, which were mainly derived from, The Cloud of Hate, Ill Met in Lankhmar, and The Price of Pain - Ease. A lot of descriptive detail was introduced, yet no more effective than the original in conveying the layout of Lankhmar - a city plan would be of considerable help, if one exists.

There are some good sections in this book: The Silver Eel and The Tower of Koh - Vombi chapters, in which R.W.B's own writing style works very well, a viable alternative to F.L's. Generally, however, the writing is insufficiently polished, lending a somewhat plodding quality with over worded sentences, and the inclusion of redundant background detail. Realistically, its all an exercise in raking over, and adding a different perspective to what would be better left alone.

At heart, Robin Wayne Bailey is serious about Fritz's work, but would be better employed writng a Fafhrd, Gray Mouser like series of his own. And White-Wolf and the Estate of Fritz Leiber would be doing a better service to themselves, their customers, and the memory of Fritz Leiber, by keeping the original work - IN PRINT.

If you like Sword & Sorcery, even if you have never read Leiber, you will enjoy this book. If you have read Leiber, you'll enjoy it even more.

Usually when an author tries to step into someone else's shoes (series), the fit is not exact. Being a fan of Leiber's Fafhrd & Gray Mouser, I was a little worried Bailey would disappoint me. He didn't. Swords Against the Shadowland has all the adventure of the original series, all the action. Bailey's style is not quite the same as Leiber but he did not try to force it to be. Instead he created a strong story worthy of the series rather than a pale copy of it (a fault many authors fall prey to in trying to continue someone else's series). He did his homework and included links to previous stories, the character's backgrounds, and Lankhmar itself. What emerges is a Fafhrd & Gray Mouser tale that can rest on the shelf with the others with no shame.

The book is good enough it could stand on its own, but by being part of a series I like it is that much more enjoyable. I eagerly await any more, confident Bailey will do right by Leiber's duo.

I polished it off in a single day's time because I was once again captured by the magic of Leiber's creation. I haven't read Fafhrd and the Grey Mouser stories in what seems like ages but what I remember of the style and feel of them was wonderfully captured by the author. I felt like I was looking in on two friends I hadn't seen in a very long time. Fans owe the author a big thank you for giving us the chance to come back to Newhon and see more stories about these unlikely but oh, so perfectly matched companions.

If you have read and loved Lieber's work you will enjoy this. The most notable difference, of course, is the departure from the short story format to the FULL blown epic-saga style. I was quite apprehensive at first, but as I read on the story evolved! I extremely loved the return to the "Slippery Eel", with Robin's EXTRA details!

The question that was in my mind was whether or not Bailey could even come close to the intoxicating banter of two of fantasy's most notable rogues. Could he bring to life the dark and sorcerous world of Nehwon, could he recreate the doomy city of Lankhmar, could he recreate the magic of Fritz Leiber's original vision? The main difference between Leiber's and Bailey's execution comes down to the length of plot. While Leiber's books were mainly collections of novellas and short stories, this is a full-blown novel, something Leiber attempted only once. Fortunately, I think Bailey succeeded in all counts. The banter is as good as it ever was (its actually one of the funniest books I've read in a while), the things these two characters say to each other over wine, women, and swords, are witty and arrogant, intelligent and wily. The differences between Bailey and Leiber are mostly due to the length of the plot. Bailey has more time to expand on Leiber's characters, although I expect the newfound sentimentality of the Mouser and the uncharacteristic chivalry of both characters will strike some as a different vision; less the rogue, more the hero. For everything that possibly could go against Bailey in his recreation, the book is a splendid read, a story of the duo's return to Lankhmar for the first time since they lost their first loves. I enjoyed it thoroughly.

A great book that I wish was still in circulation at book stores. The story is awesome and I will have to collect the rest of the books when I can afford to... but until then I still can't get enough of this book.

I anxiously awaited this book, but with a bit of fear. Leiber's Lankmar novels have long been favorites of mine and I feared what a different author might do. Originally Leiber and Bailey were to work on this one together, but Leiber passed away shortly after they signed the contract.

Bailey surprised me be capturing Leiber's "flavor" while making the story much more meaningfull to people of the '90s.

This is a must read for fans of Leiber's Lankmar stories and a great place to start fot someone that has never read the series. Leiber would be proud.

Robin has done a superb job in this new novel. He's taken Lieber's characters and world, and added some elements missing from his initial work: multidimensional characers and plots that don't seem as if they've been made up as the author went along.

Superb read!