A TIME OF CONTEMPT (Book 4 of THE WITCHER series) by Andrzej Sapkowski- Book Review

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  • Опубліковано 17 лис 2024

КОМЕНТАРІ • 88

  • @Ola-ws4jg
    @Ola-ws4jg 6 років тому +62

    All I am going to say is... if you enjoyed Time of Contempt, you are going to fall in love with Baptism of Fire. Baptism of Fire is honestly just on another level, and I can't wait to hear your thoughts about it.

    • @sloesty
      @sloesty 6 років тому +4

      Depends on preference. I didn't like all of the parts describing war or the sorceresses getting together.
      Everything with gerald and his crew however. Amazing.

    • @Moridin69
      @Moridin69 Рік тому

      I loved the "Its a long story' chapter

  • @dontsleepread
    @dontsleepread 6 років тому +43

    I like how you made a Superman reference in this video, and now a month later we know Henry Cavill has been cast as Geralt!

  • @PlotsAndPoints
    @PlotsAndPoints 6 років тому +29

    One thing that I really appreciate about the series as a whole is how thoroughly sapkowski tells the stories of all his characters. Almost everybody in the series gets their own complete character arc right down to the two elves that start shit with Geralt and Dandelion way back in the last wish. There's a real payoff that you get as a reader being able to see these small details develop and it gives the story so much more grounding even when the 'big 4' characters are nowhere to be seen. Dijkstra is a fascinating character too and I would actually love to see a spin off that followed his schemes

  • @pooyashirazi1991
    @pooyashirazi1991 6 років тому +23

    There is this short story, where Geralt goes to a ruin only to find a Werewolf, but become friends eith him and realizes he is cursed by a vampire. I love how that story is tonally consistent with how quests work in the game. That's why the games were a hit. They demonstrated the story very well.
    Every monster has a story, maybe he is not evil, Geralt sometimes even lets them live. The core of the story is about humans understanding each other without the bullshit labels society puts on us. I dont know much about 90s Poland but i know that a lot of places i know in my country, deal with people's labels rather than with people themselves.
    I also love how Sapkowski writes these raw emotional scenes. Anybody who has ever been in love knows how raw it gets sometimes, most writers, write about in a safe way, he doesnt.

    • @ailonrouge
      @ailonrouge 5 років тому +3

      not a werewolf, he was cursed by a priest he raped, and the Bruxa was in love with him, which broke the curse

    • @Valefolken
      @Valefolken 4 роки тому

      It's definitely the story that I remember the most when I think about the short story books.

  • @yafes_han
    @yafes_han 6 років тому +6

    You know what i like most about your review? I seem to have exact taste with you for books. It did not contradict even once. I trust every new book review you put out. Great work

  • @danielgreen2538
    @danielgreen2538 6 років тому +72

    The witcher books are underrated I would have thought that that they would be more popular due to the massive success of the games especially the witcher 3 but I suppose not all of them were translated into English until recently. I'm so glad you're really enjoying the witcher series as it's it's either my favourite or second favourite books series even though I haven't finished the series I'm currently rereading the series as I read them a while ago when they weren't all translated into English

  • @windfury90
    @windfury90 6 років тому +8

    Hi from Poland Daniel!
    I'm really glad that you enjoy The Witcher, and it is possible for you to read it. I can only imagine how difficult translating the books must have been , as a lot of the series language is made to sound like middle-aged Polish, which on times was even a bit hard to understand for a native speaker like me.
    Make sure to read the eight official book (Season of Storms) as well, as it ties in with rest of the books very cleverly while being a separate story (cannot say more then that not to spoil anyting, but Sapkowski really likes to mindgame his readers).
    I've been following your channel for over 2 months now, right after I finished AMoL (which made me seek WoT related content immediatelly), and I appreciate your work a lot.
    Keep up the good work!

  • @brandonguenther4233
    @brandonguenther4233 6 років тому +15

    Lady Of The Lake is such a powerful and fitting conclusion to the series, Season of Swords really does need to be read first.
    I was so fullfilled, emotionally and character wise, going back in the story lost some of the nostalgia for me and havnt been able to finish it. Maybe it was I just read to it to close to the last book and feel the story is perfectly complete as it stood much as you stated you didn't feel any side stories in the WOT needed to be written. Just opinion though.

    • @bradeye1133
      @bradeye1133 3 роки тому

      Apparently season of swords kinda spoils a few things or largely insinuates stuff. So its better to read it later

  • @pavel6688
    @pavel6688 5 років тому +6

    A time of contempt is probably my most favourite book from the pentalogy. The whole part from Thanned is just a masterpiece, culminating at the wizards ball.

  • @KevinRothert
    @KevinRothert 2 роки тому +2

    I loved your comments on the way he writes fighting and on Yennefer. These are points I haven't heard from others. Aaaaaand I also love your point that everything in these stories are very focused on a specific vibe and specific message and it hardly deviates.

  • @safinan8008
    @safinan8008 6 років тому +5

    Hi from uk 🇬🇧!!! I’ve got to read this series soon!! 📖📚 happy reading to everyone!!

  • @Yesica1993
    @Yesica1993 6 років тому +11

    YT comments are craziness. You can't make everyone happy. Someone is always going to gripe. Just keep doing a good job like you are, and try not to let it drag you down.

  • @user-MidwayDisc
    @user-MidwayDisc 6 років тому +6

    I not really a big fantasy person, but ever since I played the Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. I've wanted more of this universe. I've only recently finished Lady of the Lake and The Last Wish I just love it's gritty Fantasy feel, great cast of characters, and world building. These books really just suck you in to them.

  • @Comptonater
    @Comptonater 4 роки тому +6

    Just finished it. What an ending, and not a happy one. Really dont understand the people who are hating these books. Sure the english translation has some problems, but the books have been a page turner so far. Great story and Charcters. I wish the author provided a map in the books, kinda like what Tolkien and Martin did. Really hoping the finale doesn't pull a Game of Thrones and become a let down.

  • @ryanratchford2530
    @ryanratchford2530 6 років тому +1

    I do also like how your video had nth the technical analysis but later on “gave it more passion” (as you worded it) it’s nice to see not only why the book technically great, but what you personally like about it and how you reacted to the book on a personal & emotional level.
    Keep up the great work!

  • @samuelbird7151
    @samuelbird7151 5 років тому +4

    Just finished this book and I strongly agree with you this is epic fantasy fiction at its best blood of elves was good but time of contempt has elevated this series to everyone who has an interest to fantasy fiction should read this series Ive read the last wish 3 times it is euphoric and was sceptical when going from that to blood of elves thinking maybe the series won't hold up but damn was I mistaken

  • @kmk1225
    @kmk1225 6 років тому +1

    Great video Daniel - your reviews have enticed me to pick up the books asap! Can't wait to see what's in store

  • @demohunto3
    @demohunto3 19 днів тому

    I just started baptism of fire, and honestly baptism of fire feels like the pinnacle of fantasy. Absolutely in love. I also feel the same where it just seems like every book is literally better than the last.

  • @claudiaruizborges8766
    @claudiaruizborges8766 6 років тому +3

    I absolutely agree with you about characterization in the witcher series, the author delivers it amazingly. I'm curious about what you think of Ciri and her portrait in the fantasy genre after you finish reading the entire series. She isn't written as good as Vin or Shallan, but she doesn't fall behind.
    This was a magnificient and passionate review, by the way.
    Keep up the good work making these videos, Daniel! I enjoy them very much.

    • @danielgreen2538
      @danielgreen2538 6 років тому +1

      Claudia Ruibo I think Ciri is great but she isn't as strong a character as geralt yennifer or dandelion

  • @mattmacaulay2900
    @mattmacaulay2900 6 років тому +1

    Alright I’m going back to read the whole series. Thanks for the motivation!

  • @adamosborne685
    @adamosborne685 6 років тому +10

    Djikstra is definitely my fave

    • @ItalianStallionBDM
      @ItalianStallionBDM 5 років тому +1

      Lol what

    • @gabrielortiz9195
      @gabrielortiz9195 4 роки тому

      Hes just a cripple lmao

    • @colinaudette291
      @colinaudette291 3 місяці тому

      @@ItalianStallionBDM what do you mean what? Djikstra is my favorite character as well (excluding Geralt). He’s a very interesting man

  • @Merlijn1994
    @Merlijn1994 4 роки тому +1

    Daniel:"he doesn't fall in the pittfall of making the fighting last 10 pages"
    Me: stares at 'the heroes' laying on the table as I'm currently rereading it 😂😂😂
    I loved the witcher books, I didn't read the fifth one yet because in the fourth one it got a bit too dark for the state of mind I was in at the time, I think I'll pick up the fifth one soon though. I just found the contrast funny 😊

  • @Varsh_97
    @Varsh_97 4 роки тому +1

    "I love/ hate that man.. I love/hate him so much." I felt that lmao. By the way I got into the witcher books cause I saw one of your book recommendation videos. Can't thank you enough, it resparked my interest in reading once again. W.O.T is next!

  • @benl2140
    @benl2140 4 роки тому +10

    "It's all just consenting adults"
    Umm...Ciri isn't an adult when this story takes place...

  • @carlmart5797
    @carlmart5797 4 роки тому

    I'm about to start this one and decided to watch your review because it's spoiler free and it gives an idea of what things are like. I think The Last Wish and Sword of Destiny are basically perfect, but I did feel like Blood of Elves was an inferior experience because it was all setup and almost no payoff (which, yeah, makes sense, it's the setup for the larger 5-book long story, so I cut it some slack). This review is good news for my expectations of Time of Contempt, so here I go!

  • @pazuzuhsp
    @pazuzuhsp 6 років тому +6

    I watched this video a couple of hours ago and had decided that khalas, I'm reading this book! Then I go to the library just to brood and ask about a different book... And, surprisingly, I found the Witcher books, this is the first time I see them in Lebanon. So I considered it a sign and bought the first book.
    PS: except for the main works (Stephen King, GRRM, and Tolkien) you never find these books in libraries here. Even Brandon Sanderson is a new discovery and only one library has his books constantly available.

    • @pazuzuhsp
      @pazuzuhsp 6 років тому +2

      oh and I have no idea why I'm telling this story, but it was too much for me and I had to tell it

  • @ryanratchford2530
    @ryanratchford2530 6 років тому +2

    Sorry I never meant to sound like I was complaining. I’m just impressed.

  • @mrp1326
    @mrp1326 2 роки тому

    This is my favourite book ever. Starting with ingenious and ominous title, which is not only related to the events described in the book, but it can be beautifully connected with the condition of our world; and ending with the climactic events on the Thanedd Island - this whole section of this story is already one of the greatest pieces of work in the fantasy "genre.
    I am only sad to say, that I hope the Netflix series will be cancelled before it will butcher this book.
    Thanks for your review, I cannot agree more!

  • @jonnefcb98
    @jonnefcb98 6 років тому +2

    I've read the first book and I'm uncertain if I should keep going. I'm a bit conflicted because I definitely recognized that it was good and was impressed, but at the same time didn't enjoy it as much as I wish I had. Like, I could see that it was really well crafted and I have nothing bad to say about it, but it never gripped me. It took me a while to get through even though it's only ~300 pages, and I found myself counting how many pages I had left all the time, wanting to make progress rather than enjoying the moment.
    I really liked some of the short stories that had really cool plot twists and aha-moments, my favorites being "A Question of Price" and especially "The Last Wish." But overall I just didn't feel very connected to the world or the characters. Idk, it could be the language. It felt very old, and since english is my 2nd language there were a lot of words that I didn't understand, which disrupted the flow of my reading and took me out of the story. I did, however, like the writing style with a lot of the story being told through dialogue.
    What do you think? Is it worth it for me to keep at it? Btw, I've never played any of the games so I'm completely new to the world. I've always thought The Witcher seemed cool, so either way I think I'll at least try the game eventually.

    • @danielgreen2538
      @danielgreen2538 6 років тому +1

      You should continue you might not feel as connected to the characters in the short stories but the novels go much deeper so you feel more connected to the characters and the world
      Also you should definitely play the games at least the witcher 3 it's personally my favourite game ever but it's what got me into the world and the books and fits in with the tone of the books it's amazing how they capture the characters atmosphere and world of the books also they don't really spoil anything from the books

    • @JimmyCheng
      @JimmyCheng 5 років тому +1

      English is my second language as well, tbh, I didn’t quite enjoy last wish, but trust me, sword of destiny is so much better. If you keep reading you’ll find yourself loving it more and more. I finished blood of elves and time of contempt in one week.

  • @subutaynoyan5372
    @subutaynoyan5372 3 роки тому

    I just love how these book series make you think you're about to read a fantasy adventure type with classical tropes of fantasy genre, but then it just goes completely different directions and so much insanity, it's just mind boggling.
    It's not as grand A Song of Ice and Fire in the sense of scale, but I think the story itself can actually match in terms of characters, and world setting
    SPOILER ALERT!!!!
    Cirilla's ordeal after escaping Thanned, and Geralt being completely broken by Vilgefortz after all those fight sequences that make you sure that Geralt will split Vilgefortz in two are built up so extremely well.
    And there are Great touches in the story too, Ciri showing middle finger to her pursuers because Yarpen Zigrin taught her to do it in the middle of a chase, Geralt's dry humour and all.

  • @bishopcruz
    @bishopcruz 4 роки тому +4

    Consenting adults? Did you forget the last chapter?

  • @szafraniec8164
    @szafraniec8164 3 роки тому +1

    This and BoF are the most GOT style books in Witcher saga

  • @TheGeekyHippie
    @TheGeekyHippie 2 роки тому

    I'll put The Witcher stuff in the Top 5 of my favorite Fantasy Lit series, easily. And Yennefer got placed #7 on my Top 20 Fantasy Characters, bumping Thom Merrillin down a notch.

  • @annaliesebrandt5637
    @annaliesebrandt5637 4 роки тому

    I dislike the way sex is handled particularly with Geralt is because of how many super badass women sleep with him and then fall for him and pine over him for like the rest of the series and get jealous of each other

  • @Sphm-sl6wx
    @Sphm-sl6wx 3 роки тому

    The series definitely gets better as it goes, idk how people think otherwise

    • @subutaynoyan5372
      @subutaynoyan5372 3 роки тому

      It's because the first two books are just focused on Geralt and Geralt is a great character.
      The rest are much bigger scale and the focus of the story isn't always Geralt so some people just dislike the idea

  • @carlwoolley17
    @carlwoolley17 4 роки тому +1

    It's not the books. It's Andrzej. He has the same problem as Kanye West. Talented, but known to shoot himself in the foot every now and then. That's one of the reasons why witcher has had it's big break through the games.

  • @AlHyckGaemsTAD
    @AlHyckGaemsTAD 6 років тому

    For better understanding could somebody explain what he means when he says combat is good because it's about characters engagement with the action, any examples you could provide perhaps?

  • @hikethemike7349
    @hikethemike7349 6 років тому

    you really got me buying this series. Altough I wonder, how good is the english translation? I`ll Probably stick to the german version.

    • @danielgreen2538
      @danielgreen2538 6 років тому +2

      Mario Stoeffler some people complain about the translation and they some things are lost but I think it's great so if it's that much better in polish it much be phenomenal

  • @DrakeTsui
    @DrakeTsui 6 років тому +1

    Passionate? This is a cold-heart-surgical-precision-level 10min1s video.😉

  • @kavanpuranik98
    @kavanpuranik98 3 роки тому

    I miss this opening

  • @Banerer
    @Banerer 6 років тому

    Did you see the reddit thread that described the witcher series as eastern europes lotr?

  • @danielgreen2538
    @danielgreen2538 6 років тому +18

    Just a minor correction time of contempt is actually the 4th overall book the reading order can be a little confusing so here it is:
    1) The Last Wish, 2) Sword of Destiny these are both short story collections but are needed before you start the novels. 3) blood of elves 4) time of contempt 5) baptism of fire 6) tower of the swallow 7) lady of the lake
    Finally there is a sort of sidequel that the author wrote a while after the main series called season of swords this is a side story set after the short story the witcher the first story in the last wish therefore you should read the last wish before seasons of storms but it can be read anywhere after that
    Just thought I'd clear things up so people know the actual reading order

    • @Davidliciouss
      @Davidliciouss 2 роки тому

      So season of sword is basically DLC lol

  • @EzioIlMentore
    @EzioIlMentore 5 років тому +4

    Lmao those people calling The Witcher sexist are just really shallow and dense.

  • @carlmart5797
    @carlmart5797 4 роки тому

    I plain love Dandilion. Dijkstra, in the other hand, there's one I love/hate! He's an asshole, but holy shit is he a damn clever and hilarious asshole XD

  • @tcaw8813
    @tcaw8813 6 років тому

    Review the Beach Boys - Pet Sounds

  • @hopelessedgelord
    @hopelessedgelord 4 роки тому

    I have really enjoyed the series so far I've gone through
    The Last wish
    Sword of Destiny
    Season of Storms
    Blood of Elves
    Time of Contempt
    So far I have really been enjoying them however the ending of time of contempt that last bit with Ciri just knocked me sick and just feels wrong and unessecary. I feel overall after the trip to Broklion and the bried sceene withe Emyr the story goes down hill a bit and losses me then that last sceene just left me feeling filthy. I am curious of other peoples thoughts.

    • @subutaynoyan5372
      @subutaynoyan5372 3 роки тому

      Well that's the same with me. But that's shy I think the book is just insanely good. It just twists the story in such a way, and breaks Ciri in such a dazzling arc it's just dreadfully good.
      Real disturbing to read the girl who had lines like "Sir Geralt, I'm awfy awfy hungry" having her first sexual experience with something that can't clearly distinguished from molestation gave a chill to my spine

  • @kalebkross
    @kalebkross 5 років тому +3

    Grrult? Who’s Grrult?

  • @Amir-mq4jy
    @Amir-mq4jy 6 років тому +1

    You listen to audio book to workout with?! Lol

  • @brendagabel2583
    @brendagabel2583 4 роки тому

    The is a WOW series. Read it.

  • @The_Reductionist
    @The_Reductionist 6 років тому +1

    Honestly, tried the first book and after the Queen Calanthe short story lost interest. I like fantasy but when the stories keep changing and nothing goes anywhere i feel like im wasting time.

    • @juanche978
      @juanche978 6 років тому +1

      Boby Gandhi Not every book or saga is for everyone. I don't like The Name of the Wind, but I love The Witcher. Each person has a different taste, that's the good thing about art XD.

    • @danielgreen2538
      @danielgreen2538 6 років тому +3

      Juanfran in that case you will prefer the novels as you will connect with the characters and world much better

    • @juanche978
      @juanche978 6 років тому

      Daniel Green Yes!!

  • @juanche978
    @juanche978 6 років тому +1

    Daniel I have to say that the English translation is the worst of all the translations.
    If you read in Spanish, Polish or another language you would enjoy it even more XD

    • @errtu123
      @errtu123 6 років тому +2

      polish version is much better simply because of the amount of references to (mostly) polish literature classics, etc (there is even a reference to the "first sentence in polish language"). But I don't think a foreigner would spot and enjoy most of these references. and translations never quite capture the same feel of the original

  • @thecaptain3594
    @thecaptain3594 4 роки тому

    Your pronunciation of Geralt goes straight up my spine...

  • @5250-q2b
    @5250-q2b 6 років тому +5

    Because the witcher series is not as good as LOTR, not even close. Sapkowski is good at telling short stories but his novels lack a lot of things such as pacing techniques, characters development and overall plot lines.
    Granted, he does create a very interesting world and some original ideas of how fantasy stories should be but that's about it. The whole series to me is not bad, somewhat enjoyable in shorter stories but it's not really a masterpiece of the century as many fans put it.

    • @juanche978
      @juanche978 6 років тому +6

      525 000 I think the characters are better than in LOTR, but that's just me.

    • @juanche978
      @juanche978 6 років тому +3

      525 000 The translation in English is bad though.

    • @juanche978
      @juanche978 6 років тому +5

      525 000 Anyways, The Witcher books are more about morality and philosophy, not about the plot.

    • @5250-q2b
      @5250-q2b 6 років тому

      Morality maybe, not philosophy. Like I said, it can be pretty interesting because some of its ideas are pretty original but that's about it. The whole series is on the standard of 'not bad', not 'good'.

    • @5250-q2b
      @5250-q2b 6 років тому

      The translation feels okay for me, at least in the short stories which I love. It's really his prose and writing in his novels. There are polish people feel the same way too.

  • @neoriv9468
    @neoriv9468 6 років тому +1

    Who said that the saga is sexist?? So having sex with a girl is sexist now???