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Andrzej Sapkowski’s has just launched a new book in The Witcher series (after 11 years), a prequel focusing on young Geralt

LectureMaster

Gold Member
In Polish only for now, next year should see other languages available.




The story will focus on a time talked about vaguely in a handful of The Witcher stories but not much: Geralt embarking on The Path for the very first time.

"This time, the grandmaster of Polish fantasy is going back to Geralt’s teenage years, who is only taking his first steps in the witchcraft and has to face numerous challenges," reads the translated synopsis.

"Armed with two runic swords, he fights monsters, saves innocent virgins, and helps unhappy lovers. Always and everywhere he tries to obey the unwritten code he got from his teachers and mentors. As usual, life spares no disappointments — youthful idealism clashes with reality from time to time. The saga continues. The story never ends."
 

POKEYCLYDE

Member
Isn't he super salty about how big the games have gotten, because the deal he made for the video game rights wasn't great for him?

Wonder if this new book would be included in the rights or if CDPR would have to negotiate if they wanted to adapt it.
 

AzekZero

Member
Isn't he super salty about how big the games have gotten, because the deal he made for the video game rights wasn't great for him?

Wonder if this new book would be included in the rights or if CDPR would have to negotiate if they wanted to adapt it.
They made amends in 2019. My guess is CDPR gave the author extra money in exchange for a long term Witcher IP deal.

 
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DaciaJC

Gold Member
Always happy to see more Witcher novels, even though Season of Storms was one of his weaker books, in my opinion. Will be sure to get this once the official translation is out.
 

Dazraell

Member
Isn't he super salty about how big the games have gotten, because the deal he made for the video game rights wasn't great for him?

Wonder if this new book would be included in the rights or if CDPR would have to negotiate if they wanted to adapt it.
That new book actually has a small nod to video games. So I assume any grudges he had with CDPR are settled

how can you read it if it's not in english?
People knows other languages beyond English, you know
 

Dazraell

Member
It looks to me like he is massively expanding the IP, either for more books or games. There is some serious world building in the book.
I had a same feeling, I've read about 2/3 so far and it feels like a beginning to more stories. I loved how he portrayed Kaedwen and gave out a lot of new lore about witcher schools and witchers as a whole, introduced new monsters and the like, etc
 

Cyberpunkd

Member
Isn't he super salty about how big the games have gotten, because the deal he made for the video game rights wasn't great for him?

Wonder if this new book would be included in the rights or if CDPR would have to negotiate if they wanted to adapt it.
At the beginning Sapkowski was a bit like Miyazaki, he didn’t see video games as being on the same level culture-wise as the books. I think with time he changed his opinion, he was never shy admitting he is an old fuck who doesn’t get things and is comfortable with it.
CDPR renegotiated the rights with him around the time Witcher 3 launched. Even now he has joked (or not) that he wrote the new book because it pays for his apartment lol.
 
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Denton

Member
Really glad it is again a prequel so that books and games remain inter-compatible. Looking forward to reading it next year.
 

Oberstein

Member
We already have some excerpts.
“Geralt walked like a wolf, gliding his footsteps over the marble of the immense palace. His sword sparkled like a thousand lights, and suddenly... a hoarse cry rang out! A blue-haired woman was advancing towards him, screaming and vociferating:

- Privileged Witcher, get down on one knee and apologize for the non-binary monsters you've killed!

- I apologize, yes. I acknowledge my very white witcher's privilege.
Well, that doesn't sound great.

Just kidding, I can't wait to read this.
 

Cyberpunkd

Member
”It was at that moment that he realized that the young girl Gwyneth was no more. He arose as Geralt, a young boy.

-I am trans, he said.”
Worse, there is a dialogue early in the book with one guy telling Geralt:

- If you want us to travel together you need to speak properly. So no more “yo” and “s’up”

Not the exact translation, but you get the idea.
That's impossible
Season 5 Nbc GIF by The Office
 

Dazraell

Member
Worse, there is a dialogue early in the book with one guy telling Geralt:

- If you want us to travel together you need to speak properly. So no more “yo” and “s’up”
You're laughing but if Netflix would ever adapt this story, I'm pretty certain
they would change the chapter set in the Glass Mountain and adjust the color of that goo or whatever that was, scared some idiots would take it as something offensive lol
 
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Cyberpunkd

Member
You're laughing but if Netflix would ever adapt this story, I'm pretty certain
they would change the chapter set in the Glass Mountain and adjust the color of that goo or whatever that was, scared some idiots would take it as something offensive lol
Why? I don't under....

Surprised GIF by ION
 

Dazraell

Member
Are non-binary characters or people of color represented in any capcity? Or strong, independent women?
Nah. The story is pretty much focused on young Geralt who left Kaer Morhen for the first time, takes various monster hunting jobs and is learning the ropes of witcher work. It has vibes reminiscing first short stories
 
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Cyberpunkd

Member
Are non-binary characters or people of color represented in any capcity? Or strong, independent women?
I mean, the majority of men are overall pretty terrible, it's just a matter of time till Geralt figures it out (so kinda like in other books). There are some women characters, most of the time to remind Geralt he doesn't know shit, which is almost exactly how he is like throughout the series :messenger_tears_of_joy:

Sapkowski is probably one of the last authors to go woke, especially since the concept never really took off in Poland, and also because the guy is fucking stubborn, which he admits. Look at all his interviews, he is always very direct and to the point.
Wasn't it more like he didn't think the games would be successful and he just wanted to make a quick buck?
That as well.
 
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PeteBull

Member
Already half way through, really good. Focuses more on how witchers are seen in the world as much as how cruel common folk can be.
Can u tell me if anything woke is in the books w/o major spoilers, u can even say how oldschool those books feel, say witcher1 when u had naked girls card colection or is it netflix series witcher with overweight ugly black tris? Or something inbetween ?
 

Cyberpunkd

Member
Can u tell me if anything woke is in the books w/o major spoilers, u can even say how oldschool those books feel, say witcher1 when u had naked girls card colection or is it netflix series witcher with overweight ugly black tris? Or something inbetween ?
Nothing woke, I think you don't need to worry about this with Sapkowski. Then again not as horny as on the level of the first story ever written that starts with Geralt having sex with a temple girl. Here they mention once (I'm 60% through) that one girl was "nice to him" during the night, but also how some scouts tried to see if girls come to see him during the night, but they didn't see anything of this sort.
In general Sapkowski continues with the theme that "local government representatives" are most of the time ugly, cruel, fat and incredibly stupid. It's mostly just Geralt's luck not to die at any moment because of some stupid shit local mayor will get in his head.
Same with sorceresses - one time he sees a pair it is mentioned they are considered very beautiful and absolutely hate Witchers. Then he meets one that is "cute, but not beautiful" that laughs at fake stuff people say about sorceresses and Witchers.
 

PeteBull

Member
Sapkowski is probably one of the last authors to go woke, especially since the concept never really took off in Poland, and also because the guy is fucking stubborn, which he admits. Look at all his interviews, he is always very direct and to the point.

That as well.
Recent goverment is woke af, current minister of phys education commanded quotas of 30% of women in all national sports associacions/federation's :) Its allways for the top positions tho, no1 of those woke shits demands quotas for hard physical labour jobs that are nasty outdors ones and paid terribly ;D
 

Dazraell

Member
Can u tell me if anything woke is in the books w/o major spoilers, u can even say how oldschool those books feel, say witcher1 when u had naked girls card colection or is it netflix series witcher with overweight ugly black tris? Or something inbetween ?
If I could give you a comparison, it has similar vibe to The Witcher short story (the one about Striga from The Last Wish anthology) stretched out to entire novel. Structure-wise it's kinda similar to Season of Storms novel where you have a central narrative, intertwined with some smaller adventures, in this case mostly about witcher stuff. Nothing woke, but nothing over the top either. The theme here is pretty much about Geralt learning the ropes of witcher work
 

Cyberpunkd

Member
Checked a bit on the info related to the book and wouldn't you know - Sapkowski is already writing a new book:


Twórca wiedźmińskiej sagi podkreślił, że nie odkłada pióra, a pisanie trwa nieprzerwanie. „Nowa książka będzie. Szczegółów naturalnie nie zdradzę”, powiedział.

Jest więc na co czekać. Ale warto uzbroić się w cierpliwość. Sapkowski daje sobie bowiem komfort braku pośpiechu. „Kiedy powstanie? Nie wie nikt. Gdy określę horyzont czasowy na rząd trzech–czterech lat, to będzie bez dużego ryzyka”, dodał.
He said three-four years wait is "safe enough".

GRRM right now:

Nervous The Big Bang Theory GIF
 

SF Kosmo

Al Jazeera Special Reporter
They made amends in 2019. My guess is CDPR gave the author extra money in exchange for a long term Witcher IP deal.

They had a permanent IP deal for game AND merch. Sapkowski really signed a very bad deal because he just assumed it would fail and he wanted money up front rather than points on a back end he didn't think would exist.

To be honest, I think they only settled with him because the optics of making all this money while the original author got nothing was not a good look. I don't think CDPR really "got anything" out of the deal other than the appearance of doing the right thing.
 

Cyberpunkd

Member
I don't think CDPR really "got anything" out of the deal other than the appearance of doing the right thing.
It's possible (we will never know) that the original deal was for three games, or games involving Geralt and Ciri together. After Witcher 3 CDPR announced there will be more games being done, the deal made it possible.
We will never know, but I wouldn't rule out an absolute creative clusterfuck like e.g. LotR rights situation.
 
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