SFReader Forums

SFReader.com : Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror Book Reviews & more

SFWatcher.com : Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror Movie Review

Project Wonderful - Your ad here, right now, for as low as $0.00

SFReader Forums > SF Fiction and Art > Right Now I'm Reading.... > The Black Company

Forum Quick Jump

[ << Previous Thread | Next Thread >> | Show Newest Post First ]

von Darkmoor
Small Press Publisher (and Dancer still)

Date Joined Dec 2005
Total Posts : 2938

Posted 2/26/2006 3:50 PM (GMT -4)

Recently, I've found several lists of "must read" or "very important" fantasies. Of course, they contain the usual names and titles, with JRRT residing at the top. Many of the individual books I have read and most of the series I have either read all of or have enough knowledge of to determine if I will read any more of them. However, I had never read Glen Cook's The Black Company, so I decided to try it out. I just finished the first 3 books. While I enjoyed them and really have no complaints, I am unsure of why they were listed as "important" fantasies. One list stated that these first three books were quite possibly the best in fantasy and another list claimed that they had a great impact on the genre.

I am at a loss for either declaration. They were easy, quick reads, nothing complex, not bad, but - IMHO - nothing great. Most strikingly to me, I did not clearly connect with any of the characters. There were none I wanted to keep reading more about to find out more. Perhaps Silent and the Captain, but none of the main characters. I am curious as to how, or even if, the Lady figures into the rest of the series, so I will eventually read on, but the remainder of the series has fallen far down on my list of books to read.

So, I'd like to hear your comments and opinions on both the series and the reasons some unknown people included them on their lists.

As for what I am reading right now, I've moved on to Marine Corps WWII history and am reading "Semper Fi, Mac" - quite good.

~~~ "Your fool is here to save you from your folly . . . Here's to folly!" -- Simkin, in Doom of the Darksword ~~~

PaulMc
Adept

Date Joined May 2005
Total Posts : 989

Posted 2/27/2006 3:06 AM (GMT -4)

quote:
Originally posted by Howard von Darkmoor
So, I'd like to hear your comments and opinions on both the series and the reasons some unknown people included them on their lists.

I include it because it's personal favorite. I'm not sure I can qualify why. Most likely because I have never read anything like it. Instead of the usual fantasy mileu, it is a series based on medieval mercenaries. They aren't nice guys. In fact, they are downright bastards and dirty fighters. That compared to all the "farmboy becomes king and wins the princess stories" in fantasy on the bookshelves, The Black Company was really refreshing.

I suppose if you'd found Karl Edward Wagner's Kane first, you'd not be as impressed with the idea of the story from the bad guys point-of-view (though, the company eventually work for the good side.) But when I first read The Black Company, I'd never read anything dark and gritty like it (in fantasy.)

And, I don't know if I could 'identify' with the characters, but I love the characters--especially One-Eye and Goblin and their constant feuding.

The other thing The Black Company series has done is to stay original while keeping the tale going. The later novels are not retreads, but head off into all new directions, inspired by Indian myth and legend and other aspects. Cook's done a great job keeping it fresh and interesting.

-- Paul McNamee
http://writer.paulmcnamee.net
http://www.dorancoyle.net

Jeff Stehman
Sage

Date Joined Mar 2005
Total Posts : 1224

Posted 2/27/2006 6:14 AM (GMT -4)

I think the first book is great dark fantasy--there are no good side, just two bad sides. I own the first trilogy, although books two and three won't get read nearly as much as one. I also like The Silver Spike. One thing Cook does well in this series is taking mundane, weak charcters and turning them into stone-cold killers by the end of the book. I read the first book of the second trilogy and didn't bother with the rest. Maybe someday.

Why would it be on a must-read list? You got me there. Did it spawn a subgenre of nitty gritty dark military fantasy?

--Jeff Stehman

von Darkmoor
Small Press Publisher (and Dancer still)

Date Joined Dec 2005
Total Posts : 2938

Posted 2/27/2006 7:20 PM (GMT -4)

-- The other thing The Black Company series has done is to stay original while keeping the tale going. The later novels are not retreads, but head off into all new directions, inspired by Indian myth and legend and other aspects. Cook's done a great job keeping it fresh and interesting. --

Thanks for the comments. Based on the above, I now look forward to finishing the series. You are correct - I also appreciated the lack of a clear-cut good and bad and I did enjoy the good-natured fueding between One-Eye and Goblin as well.

Perhaps it was the timing of their publication that provided these books with their impact. Reading them at the same time Dragonlance and Brooks, Jordan and Feist were big would have been hugely different.

-- P.S. -- How do I turn on HTML in here and how do I address certain passages of other people's posts (like you did)? Thanks!

~~~ "Your fool is here to save you from your folly . . . Here's to folly!" -- Simkin, in Doom of the Darksword ~~~

PaulMc
Adept

Date Joined May 2005
Total Posts : 989

Posted 2/28/2006 2:49 AM (GMT -4)

quote:
Originally posted by Howard von Darkmoor

-- P.S. -- How do I turn on HTML in here and how do I address certain passages of other people's posts (like you did)? Thanks!

You use the pseudo stuff with the square brackets (adding spaces so they don't translate - you wouldn't use spaces in your reply ... [ i ] [ / i ] [ b ] [ / b ], etc.) (or, try the buttons B, I, U)

Oh, duh, I see you already used Italics. The key you want is [ q u o t e ] [ / q u o t e]

Cheers,

-- Paul McNamee
http://writer.paulmcnamee.net
http://www.dorancoyle.net

ancient al
Stablehand

Date Joined Jan 2006
Total Posts : 18

Posted 3/8/2006 1:50 AM (GMT -4)

Glen Cook has been one of my favorite authors for many years. I first read him when he wrote the first Garrett books, and have read most of what he has written since.
The Black Company books are a tad spotty. The first ones are short story collections. Then came the first trilogy. My personal favorate Black Company book is "WATER SLEEPS" although I may have just fell in love with the title.

When in doubt, run away.
Always shoot first.

PaulMc
Adept

Date Joined May 2005
Total Posts : 989

Posted 3/8/2006 11:22 AM (GMT -4)

ancient al said...
The Black Company books are a tad spotty. The first ones are short story collections. Then came the first trilogy.

Say what?

I'd never heard there were short stories about the Company. Have they been collected in a single volume? Where did you find them?

-- Paul McNamee
http://writer.paulmcnamee.net
http://www.dorancoyle.net

Jay Stevol
Neophyte

Date Joined May 2005
Total Posts : 154

Posted 3/21/2006 9:33 PM (GMT -4)

ancient al said...
The Black Company books are a tad spotty. The first ones are short story collections. Then came the first trilogy.

Thanks. That makes some sense actually. I always thought the first Black Company novel read more like a collection of shorts; each chapter is very self-contanined. I think that's why I enjoyed the first book so much. It was short, sharp, gritty storytelling that pulled no punches -- for me, an excellent example of modern S&S.

Bruce Durham
Crom's Administrator & Drinking Buddy

Date Joined Jan 2005
Total Posts : 605

Posted 4/10/2006 7:50 PM (GMT -4)

Everyone has different tastes. For instance, I think JRRM is a very good writer, but his Fire & Ice series should have ended after one book. I enjoy The Black Company for all the reasons Paul states. The characters are grey, no black and white here. And Cook is not afraid to kill anyone off. For me the series came along when I was growing disillusioned with fantasy. They were unique in a field that was suffering from terminal sameness. For that reason they still remain at the top of my list of important fantasy series. BTW, Croaker and The Lady figure prominently in every subsequent book.

Also, chapter 3 of the original book was first published in The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction under the title Raker. That was the only short story to my knowledge.

Administrator: Community Forums of CPI's Official Site of Conan the Barbarian
Contributing Editor to Flashing Swords. The leading edge in fantasy.
Upcoming: Old Havana in the Carnifex Anthology When the World Runs Thin, Kalini Steel in the Carnifex Shared World Anthology Freehold: Monroi Pass 1 and Marathon in Paradox
Recently published: Missing In Action in Amazing Journeys Magazine, Anezka in Paradox #8 and Homecoming in Flashing Swords.
Some people dream of success while other people live to crush those dreams.

von Darkmoor
Small Press Publisher (and Dancer still)

Date Joined Dec 2005
Total Posts : 2938

Posted 4/10/2006 11:21 PM (GMT -4)

Bruce Durham said...
BTW, Croaker and The Lady figure prominently in every subsequent book.

Thanks for answering that question - while I plan on finishing the series, knowing that makes me more inclined to get to it quicker.

~~~ "Your fool is here to save you from your folly . . . Here's to folly!" -- Simkin, in Doom of the Darksword ~~~

PaulMc
Adept

Date Joined May 2005
Total Posts : 989

Posted 4/11/2006 10:53 AM (GMT -4)

Bruce Durham said...
I enjoy The Black Company for all the reasons Paul states. The characters are grey, no black and white here. And Cook is not afraid to kill anyone off. For me the series came along when I was growing disillusioned with fantasy. They were unique in a field that was suffering from terminal sameness. For that reason they still remain at the top of my list of important fantasy series.

Yeah "terminal sameness"! That's what The Black Company cured.

Somehow, Bruce, I'm not surprised you're in my camp on this one.

-- Paul McNamee

My Writings
The Tales of Doran Coyle
Contributing Editor, Sword and Sorcery.org

Forum Information

Currently it is Saturday, August 30, 2008 1:32 AM (GMT -4)
There are a total of 80,253 posts in 6,341 threads.
In the last 3 days there were 29 new threads and 133 reply posts. View Active Threads