First published in 1947. This was actually the first Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser story written sometime in 1936, but was rejected by Weird Tales. Unlike the other Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser stories I've read to date this one is not set in Nehwon and is more of a fantasy story set in a historical content; but in the last part of the story the two adventurers talk about heading to the City of Lankhmar. Lankhmar in later stories is the main city in the fantasy world of Nehwon. 200 A tough read. It's interesting to see early Leiber, but it's definitely an early work. The best part is reading HP Lovecraft's notes and suggestions to Leiber. 200
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It's a pretty decent story about two men attempting to lift a curse from themselves, and the various adventures and misadventures they encounter along the way. 200 I read this back in the early 70s and still own my original SFBC edition. It is one of my favorite stories ever. 200 Solid storytelling and the setting and characters are quite refreshing for someone that's spent too long in a high-fantasy setting. The plot stays moving and is quite entertaining but somehow also manages to trudge in places. Overall an A+ story but not one I'd necessarily recommend to just anyone. 200 I purchased this book on a whim, and shortly thereafter wondered if I had not made a bit of a mistake. For years I've owned the first paperback of Leiber's Lankhmar tales published by Dark Horse, but at every attempt to read it, found myself unable to get past the florid language. It was the inclusion of Lovecraft's critique and the fact that this is edited and notated by S.T. Joshi (who I am at times a mawkish fan boy of) that drove me to spend forty-five dollars on such a small tome. I am glad to say that my purchase is not one I regret.
For some odd reason Leiber's florid language was not a stumbling block for me when I sat down to read this story, as it had been previously. At first it was rough going, but I quickly fell into a comfortable rhythm. The only reason I can think of for this being so much easier to engage with than my old paperback is that this story jumps right into the relationship and lives of Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser, whereas the Dark Horse volume begins with a slow and methodical origin of each character, eventually leading up to their meeting. Also, while the draft of Adept's Gambit found here is the earliest known manuscript and lacking a great deal of polish, the quality of storytelling, humor, action, tension and horror is undeniably high. If I have any quibbles with the story it's that the climax is a bit too drawn out for my taste and the villain's dialogue and motivation feels a bit flat.
This book ends with a reprinting of Lovecraft's critique of the story. Having never read any of Lovecraft's correspondence despite the multitude of collections available, I found his thoughts and feelings deeply interesting. In this short letter he displays a kindness, humor, knowledge, pedantry, insight, and humanity that I have not discerned in such a direct fashion, my knowledge of his person being previously obtained only through the filter of his fiction.
I cannot recommend this book enough to the Lovecraft and/or Leiber fans out there. I am now determined to read more of Leiber's output and would also like to pick up a copy of Fritz Leiber and H.P. Lovecraft: Writers of the Dark. 200 Having read this book a long long time ago I must have been too young to appreciate just how good the writing in this book is. Leiber is a genius.
The dialog interplay with the main characters is sheer brilliance.
The clever wordplay aside this edition of book is first class and the book contains a nice stamping on the front cover of Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser's faces.
I believe I first read this story as part of a book called Swords In The Mist published by Ace Books in 1968, however this is stated to be an earlier version of the story and contains references to H. P. Lovecraft's mythos. This is the original appearance of Fritz Leiber's most famous characters and originally appeared in the Arkham House collection called Night's Black Agents.
For decades, it was believed that this version was lost. But the manuscript has recently surfaced, and it is now being published for the first time
The plot revolves around a problem our two hero's have with women. Whenever Fafhrd gets amorous with a woman she turns into a pig, and when the Mouser embraces a female she turns into a snail. To try to resolve this issue our hero's venture to see Ningauble of the seven eyes (sometimes six), who Fafhrd's is a patron of.
The book is a rollicking good fun read, and a well crafted production.
As an afterword the book contains the complete text of H. P. Lovecraft’s letter commenting on the story, and is itself about 30 pages. 200
In 1936, the young Fritz Leiber wrote a 38,000-word novella entitled Adept’s Gambit and sent it to his new correspondent, H. P. Lovecraft. The older writer was thrilled at this sprawling narrative that mixed fantasy, sorcery, and historical fiction, and wrote an enormous letter expressing his praise and pointing out possible points that needed revision. Overall, however, Lovecraft was enthusiastic: “Certainly, you have produced a remarkably fine & distinctive bit of cosmic fantasy in a vein which is . . . essentially your own. The basic element of allegory, the earthiness & closeness to human nature, & the curious blending of worldly lightness with the strange & the macabre, all harmonise adequately & seem to express a definite mood & personality. The result is an authentic work of art.”
For decades, it was believed that this version—which contains small but significant references to Lovecraft’s Cthulhu Mythos—was lost. But the manuscript has recently surfaced, and it is now being published for the first time. This version differs radically from the later version published in Night’s Black Agents (1947), and represents a landmark in the development of Leiber’s fantasy career. As the first Fafhrd and Gray Mouser narrative, it will be of consuming interest to all devotees of Leiber’s work.
This edition contains the complete, unabridged text of “Adept’s Gambit,” along with the complete text of Lovecraft’s letter commenting on it, as well as an introduction by S. T. Joshi providing background on the writing of the story. In all, this volume will find a cherished place among devotees of Fritz Leiber and H. P. Lovecraft.
One of only 300 signed and numbered hardcover copies. Each copy is signed by the editor S. T. Joshi and hand numbered. Full color printed custom endpapers, foil stamping, and sewn binding. Adept's Gambit: The Original Version