Time of Contempt
Author | Andrzej Sapkowski |
---|---|
Original title | Czas pogardy |
Country | Poland |
Language | Polish |
Series | The Witcher |
Genre | Fantasy |
Published |
|
Media type | Print ( |
Preceded by | Blood of Elves |
Followed by | Baptism of Fire |
Time of Contempt (Polish original title: Czas pogardy, early title was translated less literally as Time of Anger) is the second novel in the Witcher Saga written by Polish fantasy writer Andrzej Sapkowski, first published 1995 in Polish, and 2013 in English (under the title The Time of Contempt). It is a sequel to the first Witcher novel Blood of Elves and is followed by Baptism of Fire.[1]
Plot
Following their secret conclave in Blood of Elves, the monarchs of the Northern Kingdoms are secretly preparing to create a pretext for war with Nilfgaard. Unbeknownst to them, the Emperor of Nilfgaard is aware of their plans and preparing his own.
After reuniting, Yennefer, Tissaia and Margarita discuss Ciri's upcoming education at Aretuza. Ciri, unwilling to be "imprisoned" at school, steals a horse and rides to a nearby town where she heard Geralt is staying. Yennefer pursues her, leading to a reunion and reconciliation with Geralt. The three return to Thanedd Island together.
At an evening reception, Geralt meets several mages, including the mage Vilgefortz, who hints that a power struggle is imminent and that Geralt will have to choose sides. Vilgefortz wants Geralt on his side, but Geralt prefers to remain neutral. Dijkstra, the King of Redania's spymaster, also tries to recruit Geralt, without success.
Early in the morning, Geralt stumbles on an attempted
Geralt disables Dijkstra and rushes in to rescue Yennefer and Ciri. In the ensuing chaos, Yennefer and Geralt fight off the Scoia'tael, while Ciri flees from the scene. She takes refuge at the Tower of Gulls, and when Geralt pursues her, Vilgefortz confronts Geralt. Vilgefortz again asks Geralt to join his side, but Geralt refuses. A fight ensues, in which Geralt is defeated and severely wounded. Vilgefortz enters the Tower but Ciri escapes through an unstable magic portal, releasing a flare of energy that collapses the Tower and leaves Vilgefortz's face scarred. Tissaia, realizing her mistake and, along with Triss Merigold's help, takes Geralt to safety, before committing suicide.
Soon after the events at Thanedd Island, Dandelion finds Geralt recuperating in the forest of Brokilon, under the care of the
Ciri awakes in the Korath desert and barely survives, with the help of a unicorn. When the unicorn is wounded in a fight with a desert creature, Ciri awakens her latent magical powers to heal it. However, the power she taps into is so potent that she has visions of herself as an omnipotent witch, ravaging the entire continent. Horrified, she renounces the use of magic, and is captured by bounty hunters in Nilfgaard's employ. She manages to escape them with the help of the Rats, a bandit group. She gains a sense of belonging among the Rats, who are refugees from the war as she is. She identifies herself to them as Falka, a dreaded witch from history who she saw in her vision. The story hints that Ciri, the last descendant of a Cintran royal line that carries elven blood, is the prophesied child who will destroy the old world and usher in a new age.
Translations
- Brazilian Portuguese (WMF Martins Fontes, 2014) ISBN 978-85-7827-842-7
- Bulgarian (InfoDar, 2009)
- Croatian (EGMONT, 2019)
- Czech (Leonardo, 1996)
- English
- UK (ISBN 978-0-575-08508-4
- US (Orbit, August 27, 2013)
- UK (
- Finnish (ISBN 978-951-0-39752-7
- French (Bragelonne, 2009)
- German (DTV, 2009)
- Hungarian (PlayON, 2013)
- Lithuanian (Eridanas, 2006)
- Russian (AST, 1997)
- Serbian (Čarobna knjiga, 2011) ISBN 978-86-7702-229-7
- Spanish (Bibliopolis, 2004)
- Simplified Chinese (Chongqing, 2016)
- Turkish (Nefret Çağı; Pegasus, 2018)
- Ukrainian (KSD, 2016)
- Greek (Selini, 2021)
- Slovak (Lindeni, 2022)
The English (UK) translation was delayed several times; initially planned for 2009[citation needed], it was published by Gollancz in June 2013.[2] The US edition of the novel, after several delays, was published by Orbit Books on August 27, 2013.[3]
Adaptations
In 2015 a Polish audiobook has been released. It is a high-end audiobook, with dozens of actors, music and special effects.[4]
It will form the basis of the third season of Netflix's Witcher series.[5]
Reception
James Tivendale of Fantasy Book Review wrote that "the characters and the tales [in the book] are utterly addictive" and gave it 8 out of 10 score.[6] Andrzej Sapkowski criticized the cover of the US edition of this book, saying that it is based on Witcher video game footage, and has little connection with the book contents, noting that he has no influence over the American publisher's choice of cover art, which he deemed highly unfortunate.[7]
See also
References
- ^ "How To Read The Witcher – Where to Start With The Books by Andrzej Sapkowski". Orbit Books. 2018.
- ^ "Time of Contempt by Andrzej Sapkowski". gollancz.co.uk. Retrieved 14 April 2023.
- ^ "The Time of Contempt > Editions". goodreads.com. Retrieved 14 April 2023.
- ^ "Recenzja słuchowska "Czas pogardy" | PolscyLektorzy.pl". www.polscylektorzy.pl.
- ^ Bennett, Tara (2021-12-16). "Henry Cavill reveals how Geralt — and 'The Witcher' — have changed for Season 2". Syfy Wire. Retrieved 2021-12-18.
- ^ "Time of Contempt by Andrzej Sapkowski". Retrieved 21 April 2020.
- ^ "Sapkowski: Nie mam kłopotu z grą "Wiedźmin", ale prawdziwy wiedźmin jest tylko jeden i pochodzi z książek" (in Polish). Retrieved 2018-10-02.