Rating: 
Summary: This work makes live worth living, if only to read it again.
Review: "Ill Met in Lankhmar" contains some of the very finest fantasy stories ever written. A short review such as this cannot even begin to convey their exquisite perfection, their vista-expanding cannon volleys of purest, most unfettered imagination, their sun-core bright wit and ebullience. The writing alone is enough to make one laugh and cry at the same time, such is Leiber's complete mastery of the written word. It is a source of unending mystification to me why so few people these days seem to have read the Fafhrd and Gray Mouser stories. And now, artist supreme Mike Mignola has created a new set of covers. WHAT MORE COULD YOU POSSIBLY ASK FOR? Renewed youth? The power of second sight? Immortality?
Rating: 
Summary: A Must For Any Serious Fan of Fantasy
Review: Fritz Leiber has a mastery of the language unmatched by any other author of fantasy I've read, and for that reason alone is worthy of recommendation to any fantasy enthusiast. His words sing and the vividness of his descriptions bring his characters and settings alive in a way unparalled by any of our contemporary writers. The only reason this collection of loosely linked tales did not merit a full five stars was the uneveness between the narratives, some stories richly rendered and fully resolved, others, such as "The Unholy Grail," "The Circle Curse," and "The Price of Pain-Ease" only sketchily conceived and less strongly written. Nevertheless, the short story "The Snow Women" alone is worth the price of admission.
Rating:
Summary: A Must For Any Serious Fan of Fantasy
Review: Fritz Leiber has a mastery of the language unmatched by any other author of fantasy I've read, and for that reason alone is worthy of recommendation to any fantasy enthusiast. His words sing and the vividness of his descriptions bring his characters and settings alive in a way unparalled by any of our contemporary writers. The only reason this collection of loosely linked tales did not merit a full five stars was the uneveness between the narratives, some stories richly rendered and fully resolved, others, such as "The Unholy Grail," "The Circle Curse," and "The Price of Pain-Ease" only sketchily conceived and less strongly written. Nevertheless, the short story "The Snow Women" alone is worth the price of admission.
Rating:
Summary: As sharp and as quick as the Twain's swords
Review: Fritz Leiber packs more into one paragraph than most others take a chapter to, telling a story with depth, detail, and clarity, which makes the majority of today's fantasy - Sci - Fi offerings seem like overblown puff. The story, Ill met in Lankhmar, takes a mere seventy three pages to do a better job than what seems to require four to five hundred pages to achieve nowadays, and with no benefit to the reader whatsoever. For further demonstration, just read the first two pages of the Bazaar of the Bizarre - a clever swipe at consumerism - for an even better example of F.L's sophisticated, though economical style. There's so much said, so clearly, in so very few pages. The Bazaar of the Bizarre is said to be F.L's favourite story, and from my perspective, I think it's because it has an elan to the writing that carries through the entire piece, a quality he manages to do for short spells only, in longer tales. The story itself isn't any better than the Snow Women, Ill met..., or the bulk of his others - which in themselves carry a lot of future-use references - but it stays very focused from the start to the finish of its thirty pages, as if it was written in one - long - brain storming session. From, Induction: 'No one at that moment could have guessed that The Gray Mouser was once named Mouse, or that Fafhrd had recently been a youth whose voice was by training high-pitched, who wore white furs only, and who still slept in his mother's tent although he was eighteen.'
Rating:
Summary: An enthraling journey into a fantasy world
Review: I have been interested in Fritz Leiber for quite some time, but have never been able to find any of his works. Now, thanks to Amazon (a shameless plug, I know), we can obtain all of Leiber's creations concerning the fantasy world of Nehwon. Take the opportunity to read the books; you'll be glad you did. Not a novel, Fritz Leiber's work centers around the (mis)adventures of Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser, as they explore the world of Nehwon and beyond. This collection introduces the two character's and takes them through a series of adventures as the two become closer than brothers. The best point about Leiber's works is their realistic depictment of the main characters. Although the world itself is fantastic, the characters are quite down-to-earth, not unlike you and me. They are greedy, bawdy DRUNKS, not high lofty knights to which we cannot relate. I would recommend this to anyone who loves the fantasy genre, and to those who haven't read much fantasy, this is an excellent initiation.
Rating:
Summary: Great book, too bad its not in print
Review: I own Ill Met in Lankhmar and Farewell to Lankhmar(Which I have not read because I can't get my hands on the other books-which makes me sick because they were at the bookstore when I bought the first one *boo hoo* - I wasn't sure if I would like it.) The story revolves around two men - supposedly they are supposed to be the epitome of manliness, macho and whatever (Yes, I'm a woman)- who meet through some circumstances, the become great friends, and they both go through a great tragedy that bonds them. After this they go through lots of strange and clever adventures. WARNING TO WOMEN! As some other female readers, I was at first quite put off that his female characters were flat, but if you notice...ALL his characters are flat, except the main two. But, his female characters leave you with an unsavory taste. Leiber writes with the mentality that men are rational creatures while women are primitive and magical. You really get this sense from his story the Conjure Wife. Although, sometimes he does play on that theme, twisting it around and such.
Rating:
Summary: Good stories from a bygone age.
Review: Leiber's stories are a remnant from a time when writing was generally excellent. Crisp, well-written..never a wasted word. Fafhrd & the Gray Mouser are excellent heroes. This edition in particular is good because of the lengthy introductions written by Leiber. He explains the origins of Fafhrd & the Mouser while at the same time telling a little about his life. Stories that should be read by everybody.
Rating:
Summary: Good stories from a bygone age.
Review: Leiber's stories are a remnant from a time when writing was generally excellent. Crisp, well-written..never a wasted word. Fafhrd & the Gray Mouser are excellent heroes. This edition in particular is good because of the lengthy introductions written by Leiber. He explains the origins of Fafhrd & the Mouser while at the same time telling a little about his life. Stories that should be read by everybody.
Rating:
Summary: Most Underappreciated Work of Fantasy
Review: 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. 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.
Rating:
Summary: Most Underappreciated Work of Fantasy
Review: 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. 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.
|
