Selection of the Month
- The Last Wish
Photo from Hachette Book Group
https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/sweepstakes/the-witcher-books-series-sweepstakes/
The first novel in The Witcher series by Andrzej Sapkowski, also sometimes referred to as a prequel. This novel was the inspiration for the hit Netflix series, although it was written in 1993 and celebrated through adaptations in video games, board games, etc.
The Last Wish reads like a series of short stories, introducing us to numerous characters, monsters and wild adventures. Primarily a fantasy stereo, there are blends of horror, romance, adventure, and more. The primary hero, or anti-hero, Geralt of Rivia has becoming a memorable character comparable to Tolkien's Aragorn or Stoker's Van Helsing.
eBooks can be found from a number of sources, including the following (please note some versions are free, but many are for purchase):
-Regina Public Library (eBook options currently available): https://www.reginalibrary.ca/
-Kindle (audiobook also available): https://www.amazon.ca/The-Last-Wish/dp/B071JC66VZ/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=the+last+wish&qid=1589491415&sr=8-1
-Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/the-last-wish
-Apple Books: https://books.apple.com/gb/book/the-last-wish/id383904580
Discussion Points
The following conversation points will be used as basic prompts for discussion, food for thought, etc.
- What did you think of the book? Was it what you expected?
- How did the book compare to your experiences with the Netflix show and the games?
- What do you think of the "collected short stories" style of this book? Was it easy to follow? Does it make the show less confusing?
- The characters in these stories tend to be multi-layered and complex; no one is "good", and no one is "bad". Is the Witcher a hero? What about the other characters?
- Who is your favourite character? Why? Who is your least favourite character?
Further Reading and Materials
While The Witcher series has long been a fan favourite for fantasy readers and gamers, the release of the Netflix series propelled the series into the wider public consciousness.
Author Andrzej Sapkowski's works are just beginning to be discussed in academia in the English language, but there's still some interesting information out there:
From the primary publisher: https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/contributor/andrzej-sapkowski/
An interesting perspective on reading the series for fans of the show: https://www.orbitbooks.net/read-the-witcher-books-by-andrzej-sapkowski/
A gamer's perspective on the books: https://www.pcgamer.com/the-witcher-books/
Zoom Meeting Information
Zoom information will be provided closer to the planned meeting: 2:00pm-3:00pm, August 12, 2020