See Why I Immersed Myself So Deeply In. . .
The Lady of the
Lake
Well, this is one for –
excuse the pun – the books. What a story. And what a way Andrzej Sapkowski has
of presenting it:
Sir Galahad, a knight of King
Arthur, stumbles upon a maiden bathing in an enchanted lake. He suspects she
may be of the faërie, and in that assumption, he’s not far wrong. Although this
lady’s countenance is marred by a hideous scar, she has travelled through time
and space to be in this particular place at this particular time. Yes, Sir
Galahad has happened upon the legendary Child of Prophecy, Ciri, though she is
a child no more.
Their exchange sets the basis
for a detailed recapitulation of the events surrounding Ciri’s arrival at the
lake, and as we see, the Lake itself plays a pivotal role in the unfolding of
prophecy, one that touches multiple perspectives as the ages pass.
For example, we are
introduced to the fabled Lady of the Lake, Nimue, who delves into the truth of
things, no matter how veiled they are by the passage of time; we look in of
Geralt’s adventures, and join him and his companions – Regis, Milva, Angoulême
and Cahir – as they charged from adventure to adventure in their haste to track
Ciri down; we see how Yennefer fares during her imprisonment at Vilgefortz’s
hands; are peeved to find enemies of old – Stefan Skellen & Bonhart in
particular – are still alive, kicking, and itching to wreak mayhem; and
mystified by Ciri’s time among the elves, where she struggles to comprehend the
sylvan realm and the future they have planned for her.
We even get to look in on an
old friend from long, long ago. Do you remember the Urcheon Prince, Duny, who
was cursed to change into a creature that looked like a cross between a hedgehog
and a boar? The guy who fell in love with Princess Pavetta? Well, he makes an
appearance too, and just wait until you find out the role he’s been playing all
along.
Yes, the Lady of the Lake is a marvelous coming together of pieces first
places out decades ago, and which now find their place in a complex puzzle for
a grand revelation, helping explain why Ciri is hunted by so many factions, who
all want to influence the Witcher girl in any way they can.
I thoroughly enjoyed it. The Lady of the Lake is an incredibly
complex and compelling revelation that draws you in, hangs on tight, and never let’s
go. A page turner, if ever there was one, because you “just have to find out
what happens next!”
But what I liked about it is
Geralt & Yennefer’s obvious influence on Ciri. They may have been parted
for long periods, but they managed to make a great impression upon her. And no
matter how many trials she faces, no matter what torture she endures, she
remains her own woman. She never accepts the course any of the manipulators try
to steer her along, and chooses her own destiny for herself. A destiny
strengthened by Geralt and Yennefer’s loyal love.
Obviously, there are
consequences to Ciri’s actions. But isn’t that what makes fairytales so
fascinating? The bittersweet seduction that keeps you chomping at the bit until
the end?
An excellent story, and one
that won’t disappoint.
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