The Viper (Polish: Żmija) is a 2009 historical novel with elements of fantasy[1] by the Polish writer Andrzej Sapkowski. It is set in the framework of the Soviet–Afghan War. The title refers to the golden viper which awakens his suppressed paranormal abilities to see the past. However critics point out that an element of fantasy is far from being central in this mostly realistic novel. The novel received mixed reviews, with critics complaining that the novel from a famous writer did not meet expectations.[2][3][4][5][6][7]
Elements of fantasy
editThe protagonist is a Soviet Army praporshchik of Polish descent, Paweł Lewart. Since the childhood he had paranormal abilities, but they were suppressed by a treatment in a psychiatric hospital. However he retained some abilities to see the future, which saved his life in Afghanistan several times. While at a remote outpost he finds a golden viper and feeds it with a dead rat. He visited the crevice with the viper several times and each time he has visions of the memories of past defeated invaders of Afhganistan: the army of Alexander the Great and the British army during the Second Anglo-Afghan War.[8]
Awards
edit- 2010: Mir Fantastiki magazine award for the best foreign book[9]
- 2011: FantLab's Book of the Year Award (Russia) for his short story Żmija (Viper) in the Best Translated Novella or Short Story category[10]
References
edit- ^ Czesi wielbią Andrzeja Sapkowskiego za dowcip i wyobraźnię, May 17, 2010
- Quote:"Asked whether his latest novel – “The Viper” set in Afghanistan – is fantasy as well, he replied: “Fantasy literature is like a martini cocktail. When a woman makes it, she adds one gin to nine parts vermouth. When a man makes it, she adds three parts gin to seven parts vermouth. And Hemingway sprinkled a glass of gin with vermouth and that was also a martini.”"
- ^ Justyna Sobolewska Recenzja książki: Andrzej Sapkowski, "Żmija"
- ^ Robert Ostaszewski, Żmija, Andrzej Sapkowski
- ^ Adam Ł. Rotter, Sapkowski, Andrzej - "Żmija"
- ^ Adam Szymonowicz, Sapkowski, Andrzej - "Żmija"
- ^ Jędrzej Burszta, Ile mistrza w rzemieślniku? [Andrzej Sapkowski „Żmija” - recenzja]
- ^ Bartłomiej Łepczyński, Andrzej Sapkowski – Żmija
- ^ Sapkowski o Afganistanie - "Żmija" już w sprzedaży
- ^ Пётр Зайцев, Александр Киселёв, Арсений Крымов, Борис Невский, Антон Первушин, Пётр Тюленев. Итоги 2010. Книги // Мир фантастики : журнал. — 2011. — № 2 (90). — С. 106—107.
- ^ Анджей Сапковский. Змея, FantLab