Customer Reviews

The Witches of Karres

5 star:		(57)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I picked up a copy of this in the early 80's and it is still one of my favorites! It's a shame this is out of print. So many people are going to miss the chance to read about Captian Pausart and his trials and tribulations while trying to get a bunch of young witches safely back to their home planet. I love the interplay between him and Goth, in particular. A little touch of romance, and a lot of humor and adventure all rolled together to make a perfect book! If you see it anywhere--buy it! You won't be disappointed. You might also want to try the Telzey stories and Demon Breed. They are also great! I haven't been able to get my hands on any of the other books.

I second the preceding reviews, with one exception. One reviewer complains that the novel has been "edited," so he wouldn't touch it. Actually (check Eric Flint's website), Flint's editing took the form of (1) selecting the book for reprinting, and (2) correcting typos, missing words, etc.. Unless a reader is overly fond of typoed words, there is no difference between previous editions of this exciting, humorous, and thoroughly enjoyable classic sf novel and the new edition.

I first read "The Witches of Karres" when I was twelve years old and happened across it in the stacks of my hometown library. I have never found any science fiction book before or since that could match it in terms of pure enjoyment. It is one of only two or three books that I will not lend under any circumstances (and given that it's a perfect first edition, that I won't even let someone touch). I fell in love with Goth and fancied myself as Pausert in many a happy dream. I had nightmares in which the Sheem Assasin came alive, the fur moving and the body taking shape. I still shudder at the thought after all these years. It's a shame the book didn't win the Hugo that year, because it's so excellent, but that doesn't change anything. My only regrets are that Schmitz never published a sequel (though from what I've read he thought about one and maybe even worked on it a bit) and that I didn't buy a stack of the original Chilton first editions for two bucks a pop while they were still in print! Given today's special effects wizardry, "The Witches of Karres" would make a one heck of a fun movie...

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The Witches of Karres is an old-fashioned science-fantasy space opera,
written with a light, sure touch and with Schmitz's distinctive
panache. This is fizzy, sparkly entertainment -- the plot goes tripping
and skipping across the Galaxy, via some rather appalling
transportation devices (such as the well-named Sheewash drive and
the dread Egger Route). Capt. Pausert and the lively young witch-
sisters -- Maleen, the Leewit & Goth -- face pirate attacks, sneering
Sirians, sneaky spies, trumped-up legal charges, a corrupt,
beautifully slinky shipyard owner with a taste for torture, a mighty
Sheem Assassin robot, Worm Weather, and a super-powerful (but
reality-impaired) game-playing vatch, among other challenges. Slow-
paced action is not a problem here. The plot is preposterous, but
unfolds like a wonderfully lucid dream.... sheewash, you're *there*,
with another new klatha psi-superpower.... And the characters are so
*nice* -- even the villains get a second, or even a third chance to
redeem themselves (and most do). And by *nice* I don't mean sticky-
sweet, but the lovely warm, fuzzy feeling you'll get as you read
"Witches".

The Witches of Karres is a true light classic of the genre, and if you
haven't read it yet (or in awhile), you should. It's remarkably fresh
for a story that's over a half-century old -- "recommended for
frivolous relaxation. Abandon moral uplift, all ye who enter here." --
Dave Langford, Ansible

For the young, and young-of-heart.

I have fond memories of "The Witches of Karres", but it turns out
I'd only read the much-reprinted 1949 novellette -- it was a real treat
to discover I'd never actually read the 1966 novel. The novellette
became the first two chapters of the book, which amounts to a fixup
[note 1] of four novellettes -- Schmitz never really figured out how to
write a novel.

This Gollancz "Collector's Edition" is a handsome trade paperback,
with the familiar chrome-yellow plastic-coated cover (that feels so
nice when you stroke it....) and hardback-quality paper. The text is
apparently photo-reproduced from an earlier edition. My copy has
some rather blurry pages, so you may want to scan through the ones
on the shelf at your bookstore.
__________
Note 1) I believe the only story to see prior publication was the original
"Witches of Karres".

review copyright 2001 by Peter D. Tillman

I stumbled across "The Witches of Karres" one day when browsing a local used bookstore. It was one of those times I was just looking for a good fantasy/science fiction book to read and enjoy. "The Witches of Karres" quickly surpassed far beyond what I had hoped to find. It quickly entered the ranks of those few books I have read which so far excel in enjoyment while offering an instant affinity for the characters, including an instant love for characters in the novel that "Witches of Karres" has become one of those unique novels I will always go back and read again. Goth, Pausert, the Leewit, the Sheewash Drive every bit ever piece of the story is so carefully woven together like a fine tapestry that you find yourself living within the story. You are a part of the action, of the travels to the Worm World, to Karres, you are on the ship with Pausert, Goth and the Leewit. Despite "The Witches of Karres" finishing second in the Hugo awards it truly was the book that deserved to win the Hugo that year, for having read the that years winner and "The Witches of Karres", "Witches" is by far the better book in my opinion. Several other reviewers have expressed the same regret I too hold, that it sad that Schmitz never published a sequel, though perhaps having this stand alone on it's own makes it all the more enjoyable and allows us to create our own sequels for the travels of Goth, the Leewit and Pausert. As one review has mentioned this idea, I agree that "The Witches of Karres" could be turned into a wonderful movie, however I would like to see whoever would turn this book into a movie do for the movie version of this book, what Peter Jackson has done for the Lord of the Rings, make the transformation from book to screen so flawless that no one has regrets that it was made into a movie.

A teacher of mine recommended this book to me in high school. It was out of print at the time, so she lent me her own copy. She told me that whenever she was feeling down, this book would cheer her up.

She was right. I've reread this book a half a dozen times in the 10 intervening years, and while it isn't necessarily, it is truly delightful. Captain Pausert's adventures with Goth are a lot of fun to read.

Further, the book affirms the philosophy that the good guys can win, even in a bureaucratic universe, if they're clever enough. This may be the attribute my teacher was talking about when she sent me to read the book (although I think the wonder of the book is something less tangible-- perhaps part of it is the way that the book takes for granted the idea that magic can exist, yet it isn't a traditional fantasy novel).

It's wonderful to see this going back into print. I enthusiastically recommend it.

This was a Hugo runner-up to Heinlein's "Moon is a Harsh Mistress", and "Witches" is a much better book than even this Heinlein great. This book is my favorite sci-fi novel, although Schmitz's "Agent of Vega" (a collection of stories) is one I enjoy even more. I re-read this book a few months ago for the first time in 25 years, and was just mesmerized by this timeless story. This book has everything, in grand J.H. Schmitz style. It moves you as it thrills you; makes you smile and moves you to tears; more than anything it makes you wish he had written a sequel. (as I wish he had done with "Agent"). He is my favorite sci-fi writer and I enjoyed this book so much that I purchased it in a First Edition after reading it this time around. Nothing compares to it.

Usually, I prefer "hard" science fiction, such as the novels of Isaac Asimov, Hal Clement, Robert Heinlein, and Charles Sheffield; but this delightful romp by James H. Schmitz really captivated me. Captain Pausert starts out as a one-dimensional goody two-shoes, but the three "witches," Maleen, Goth, and The Leewit gradually turn him into a real person.

A great story for young and old alike, this would be a good gift for any child old enough to read. And now it has a great sequel, The Wizard of Karres, by Eric Flint, Dave Freer, Mercedes Lackey; and another sequel, "The Sorceress of Karres" is in the works.

watziznaym@gmail.com

The Witches of Karres is an old favorite. My old and battered copy has a cover price of 75 cents. Still, wherever I move, I'll take this one with me.

The adventures, or more accurately, the misadventures of Captain Pausert begin with his "rescue" of three young children. Of course, these three, Maleen, Goth, and the Leewit, are his introduction to the Witches of Karres.

While a somewhat predictable space opera, the characters are such a delight that is easily overlooked. Where else does one find 3 witches in the same story? Uh...well that's another story entirely. This one is a light hearted adventure complete with pirates, battle robots, teleportation, spies, and the usual suspects.

The only disappointment is the sequel that was never written. The ending is an obvious setup for one. It appears the continuation of the story is in other hands than Schmitz. May they fare as well.

This book is one of my all-time favorite space operas. I have read and reread it many, many times, wearing out serveral paperbacks.

The science of the story is unscientific (to put it mildly), but the book is a space opera, not science fiction.

Good versus evil, David versus Goliath; it has all of this, but it has more. Akin to the Xanth novels and the Myth novels it adds the tone of bewilderment. The hero never knows exactly what he is doing.

This draws the reader into closer empathy with Captain Pausert.

The author has demonstrated with his other works that he can write a true science fiction novel, so I feel that the unscientific, but delightful character of this novel was completely intended.

It is really unfortunate it remains in the "out of print", and "hard to find" catagory.

About 25 years ago I had a book dealer find me an original hardback first edition of this book. I treasure it, and frequently reread my well preserved paperback.

I hope these reviews of an unavailable book will encourage publishers to reissue the book before my copies wear out completely.