Lieber's Fafrd & Grey Mouser: Is there a collection?

[spacemonkey]

I find myself in the lamentable position of not owning a copy of these works. I went to amazon to see what was available and was a bit put off to see that not only does there not appear to be a good collected works edition, but many of the original collections (the 'swords' books) seem to be out of print or not easily found. I saw it mentioned somewhere that they were reprinted recently, but I don't seem to be able to find the reprints.

Can anyone point me to a source to purchase these books, preferably in the least number of volumes possible?

 

[JoeBlank]

The Science Fiction Book Club has them collected in two volumes, I believe. I have the first, and plan to order the second soon.

http://www.sfbc.com

If you decide to join, let me know. I can send you a card and we both will get a good deal.

 

[mmadsen]

White Wolf recently collected many of Leiber's tales into Tales of Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser, Lean Times in Lankhmar, Return to Lankhmar, and Farewell to Lankhmar.

 

[nikolai]

The entire series is collected in two volumes of the Fantasy Masterworks series. Links follow:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos...1024/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_10_1/202-6796737-1567004

http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos...1024/sr=1-3/ref=sr_1_10_3/202-6796737-1567004

I've a question of my own. I read a copy of the Knight and Knave of Sword and hated it. Now I've read John Rateliff piece on Leiber http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=books/main/classicsoffantasy and he says the quality is highly variable and that particular book isn't much good. So, (a) is this true? and, (b) is it worth me picking up some of the better stuff and giving it a second try?

 

[barsoomcore]

I've a question of my own. I read a copy of the Knight and Knave of Sword and hated it. Now I've read John Rateliff piece on Leiber http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=books/main/classicsoffantasy and he says the quality is highly variable and that particular book isn't much good. So, (a) is this true? and, (b) is it worth me picking up some of the better stuff and giving it a second try?

For me, there are six Fafhrd and the Grey Mouser books:

Swords and Deviltry
Swords against Death
Swords and Wizardry
Swords in the Mist
The Swords of Lankhmar
Swords and Ice Magic

I read another, much later F&GM short story and didn't even finish it. So I never picked up another. Those six books are magic, core swords and sorcery. Leiber is an immensely talented writer -- but VERY hit or miss. Rather like HP Lovecraft or Edgar Rice Burroughs that way -- when he's on, he's REALLY on, but when he's not, meh.

But those six books are so full of invention and humour and love of life, they're hard to resist.

And hot chicks, too.

 

[spacemonkey]

Strange, because it looks like the Science Fiction Book Club's 2 volumes leave off the seventh book as well - they only collect the first six. I didn't know what to make of that, but maybe it was a conscious decision to 'oust' the red headed seventh book, if it is that bad. I can't remember it personally, its been so long...

 

[Rackhir]

Strange, because it looks like the Science Fiction Book Club's 2 volumes leave off the seventh book as well - they only collect the first six. I didn't know what to make of that, but maybe it was a conscious decision to 'oust' the red headed seventh book, if it is that bad. I can't remember it personally, its been so long...

The 7th isn't "BAD", but the characters have aged considerably, so they are not the dashing young heroes anymore and a significant chunk of the book is consumed with Fahrid and Mouser each in a very odd situation. In short, it's probably not what you'd expect given previous books.

 

[spacemonkey]

Hey JoeBlank,

I've been on the fence over the SFBC for a while now, but I think I'll take the plunge. Is there a way I can list you as a referrer if I join online, or do I have to do that card thing you mentioned? I certainly don't mind sending a couple free books your way.

 

[JoeBlank]

Hey JoeBlank,

I've been on the fence over the SFBC for a while now, but I think I'll take the plunge. Is there a way I can list you as a referrer if I join online, or do I have to do that card thing you mentioned? I certainly don't mind sending a couple free books your way.

No way that I can find to do the deal online. I shot you an email. If you are interested, send me your address and I will send the card to you.

Thanks.

 

[mmadsen]

I read a copy of the Knight and Knave of Sword and hated it. Now I've read John Rateliff piece on Leiber http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=books/main/classicsoffantasy and he says the quality is highly variable and that particular book isn't much good. So, (a) is this true? and, (b) is it worth me picking up some of the better stuff and giving it a second try?

I recently tried to re-read the first book in my Lieber collection, Swords and Deviltry, and I put it down before finishing the first story, "The Ice Women," a sort of "origin story" for Fafhrd. Thus, my experience matches that Classics of Fantasy article:

Those interested in sampling the series would be well advised to skip over the stories in Swords and Deviltry (late additions to bring the two characters together and provide them with "origin stories") as well as the frame story for Swords Against Death and plunge right into the heart of the series with "The Jewels in the Forest" and the stories that follow in the second volume (Swords Against Death). Other outstanding stories include "The Cloud of Hate" (Swords in the Mist), "The Frost Monstreme"/"Rime Isle" (Swords and Ice Magic), and most of The Swords of Lankhmar. Like the first volume, the final (The Knight and Knave of Swords) is best avoided by all but completists.