I completed Fritz Leiber’s Swords Against Death, the second collection of his short stories chronicling the adventures of Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser. The most intriguing thing about this set of tales is the varied publishing years. The earliest, and first ever Fafhrd and Mouser piece, The Jewels in the Forest appeared in 1939. The Price of Pain-Ease and The Circle Curse were released in 1970.
This disparity in ages leads to some distinctly different storytelling and writing styles. As always, Leiber brings a quite pleasurable sophistication to basic heroic swords and sorcery. Of the bunch, The Howling Tower, Thieves House, Claws from the Night, and The Price of Pain-Ease are my favorites. The Howling Tower is quite dark and disturbing, tending towards horror. The Price of Pain-Ease humorously solidifies the bonds between Fafhard and the Mouser with Sheelba of the Eyeless Face, and Ningauble of the Seven Eyes.
Swords Against Death isn’t fabulous, but it is a notch above Elric of Melnibone and a refreshing tonic relative to Conan the Barbarian.
7th book of the year down.