One of the best sword and sorcery style novels. Similar in theme to the Conan novels, though it features two heroes, both thieves, and its own particular flavor. Really a collection of short stories and a novella, which won the Nebula award. ( )

Fritz Leiber is a key figure in the field of swords and sorcery literature. The true master of the genre may be Robert Howard, but it was Leiber who gave it the name in 1961. Leiber's most important legacy is the adventures of Fafhrd and Gray Mouser, two unlikely heroes struggling in the city of Lankhmar. Leiber wrote the first story of the two in 1939 and his last major work in 1991 finally wrapped it up.

This collection shows the origins fo the couple. Snow Women tells how Fafhrd left his home in the far north, fighting against other warriors of his tribe and the ice-cold magic of the northern women, to flee to southern civilization of Lankhmar. In The Unholy Grail Mouse, the apprentice of a hedge wizard, becomes the Gray Mouser and escapes to Lankhmar after some dabbling in the black arts. Finally, the award-winning Ill Met in Lankhmar describes how the two meet and how their career of thievery and killing begins in the city of Lankhmar.

This is no high literature, but what's wrong with good entertainment? Leiber's stories are entertaining, and especially the last one is a wonderful story of swords and sorcery, full of fantasy cliches (excused, because Leiber came up with quite a few of those, I believe) and action. The stories are funny, too, as Leiber doesn't take his writing too seriously.

Considering the influence these stories have had in other writers, I'd say reading Leiber is a must for anybody who likes sword and sorcery stories and this collection is definitely the best place to start, it's a good introduction to Fafhrd and Gray Mouser. (Review based on the Finnish translation.)

(Review of Swords and Deviltry in Mikko reads) ( )

Sword and sorcery at its finest. The beginning of the adventures of Fafhrd and Grey Mouser, told in three stories: The first tells us how Fafhrd left his home tribe in the north, and why he came to Lankhmar. The second tells a similar tale about Grey Mouser, and the last one describes how the two met in Lankhmar.

No unnecessary finesse, just simple and brutal fantasy. Leiber has created a very believable world in Nehwon. Also, a very good translation into Finnish.

This is the first Lankhmar book that I have read, and I very much look forward to reading more about them. ( )

Of the writers who put their hand to writing sword and sorcery, few were the equal of Leiber. If Conan is the apex of the genre by sheer force of the character and for setting the parameters within which S&S operates, then the saga of Fafhrd and the Grey Mouser must surely hold down second place.

This first volume in the Swords series contains 1 vignette ('Induction') to set the scene followed by three short stories: 'The Snow Women' from 1970 tells how the northern barbarian youth Fafhrd fled his homeland for the lure of civilisation, 'The Unholy Grail' from 1962 tells how a wizard's apprentice nicknamed Mouse - his real name is never revealed - also found himself heading in the direction of Lankhmar and the Nebula Award winning 'Ill Met In Lankhmar' from 1970 tells how the pairs paths crossed and how they would be bound by a common grim tragedy.

If you've read Robert E Howard's Conan stories, these are the next items that should be on your reading list. Even Howard was not as consistent as Leiber as a writer. ( )

Sword and Deviltry is a retro-introduction collection, about the famous pair of Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser. It does include the excellent story, 'Ill-Met in Lankhar'. So, rather than a novel, this is a collection of novellas, or novelettes, or whatever the preferred term is. Good stuff though, as you get to see where they came from, and how they met.

Swords and Deviltry : 01 Induction - Fritz Leiber
Swords and Deviltry : 02 The Snow Women - Fritz Leiber
Swords and Deviltry : 03 The Unholy Grail - Fritz Leiber
Swords and Deviltry : 04 Ill Met in Lankhmar - Fritz Leiber

The meet of the Mouser and Fafhrd, at least according to Sheelba.

3.5 out of 5

Frigid females scorn sexy skimpily sheathed strumpet stage show, shellack sons and seniors with serious snowballs. Fafhrd felicitiously flees with foxy faker.

3.5 out of 5

Murdered Mouse's mentor means Duke's death desired, daughter, however, not so dastardly.

4 out of 5

Twosome's Thieves Guild tormenting leads to tragedy and travel.

4.5 out of 5

http://superprose.blogspot.com/2006/1... ( )