Fritz Leiber's Lankhmar: Whats your favorite story?

[jester47]

What is everyones favorite Lankhmar story?

And should you be willing to share- Tell me about The Knight and Knave of Swords.

Whats the general opinion of this book? I am about to finish up Rime Isle, and I am noticing that Fafhrd and The Grey Mouser seem to do better in the Short Story format. I will still read this (in the form of Farewell to Lankhmar) for the sake of completion, but I would like to know what to expect... Is it closer to earlier stories or the later ones in the way they are presented?

Aaron.

 

[nikolai]

Whats the general opinion of this book?

Not much I'm afraid. The Fafhrd and Gray Mouser stuff gets worse the more recently it was writen. This is tragic really. I didn't like Knight and Knave at all. The best stuff (which is as good as sword and sorcery gets) is the earliest stuff both in terms of the writing date and the chronology.

 

[AFGNCAAP]

Have to agree. I read it just for reading it's sake, but I didn't like those stories that much as the earlier works. Then again, all things considered, the Twain are pretty much retired by the time Knight & Knave gets into things.

I will warn you--things get a bit more perverted in this one.

 

[Fast Learner]

LOL, I was going to provide the same warning: Fritz is less... let's say restricted, as society has changed. There are some graphic sexual scenes and such.

The quality definitely goes down, but it was really great to read about my adventuring buddies years after their last adventures. Not sure if it would hold up the same way for me today.

 

[jester47]

I think the stories I like are those before 1975. I think the 60's stories are pretty good.

Absolute Favorites are:

Ill Met
Thieves House
Claws From the Night
The Cloud of Hate
Lean Times
The Two best thieves

Swords of Lankhmar would be on the list except for the ghouls. While original, I think true undead would have worked better, with Fafhrd falling for some other girl. Actually, now that I think about it, it seems that the ghouls are somewhat superfluous to the story. Am I right on this?

Aaron.

 

[The Other Librarian]

Ghouls are never superfluous to the story.

Actually, now that I think about it, it seems that the ghouls are somewhat superfluous to the story. Am I right on this?

Aaron.

 

[nikolai]

Ill Met
Thieves House
Claws From the Night
The Cloud of Hate
Lean Times
The Two best thieves

These are all really good stories. There are some really good stories not listed, I think Jewels in the Forest is the equal of some of those above. The best three stories - in my opinion - are The Bleak Shore, The Sunken City, and The Howling Tower. In no particular order. The others are good, but these have got a unity of conception and a style that sets them above anything else.

 

[jester47]

Funny those 4 are the ones that are almost included my favorites.

I don't remember the ghouls having anything to really do with the situation in Lankhmar. I only remember that they chase Fafhrd for a time. Pretty much I dig everything before 1969. Those are just my favorites. When Lankhmar, Nigauble and Sheelba disappear, I think it stops being Fafhrd and the Grey Mouser.

Aaron.

 

[Wombat]

I love Fafhrd & The Grey Mouser.

I think my fave story would have to be "Lean Times in Lankhmar" -- it's all about the Second Coming of Issek of the Jug!

But I love most of those stories; the later ones (Rime Isle, etc.) don't do much for me, but the first six collections are grand.

So let's grab a jug at The Silver Eel!

 

[WingOver]

Jewels in the Forest - in the sword fight between Mouser and the bandit we see how quick he is with a blade, and at the end I really liked the description of how they felt when they saw the tower moving.

The Howling Tower - I really liked the atmosphere in this one... it was really creepy. And I really loved how the Mouser dealt with the villian.