Discussion of The Time of Contempt, Chapter 5

After last week's cataclysmic conclave, you'd think Sapkowski might slow down for a chapter, maybe coast for a few pages. NOPE. We've got a spiraling smoothie of spellbinding storytelling structures, brilliantly combining short story efficiency with cinematic montages and television editing. We've got a deep dive into Emhyr var Emreis that pointedly echoes and contrasts last week's examination of Vilgefortz, and Cam suggests that these characters are working together as split foils for Geralt. Yennefer manages to jump out of every page too, despite not being in a single scene, thanks to Sapkowski's relentless mysteries and misdirections. We also debate Geralt's declarations about neutrality / destiny and try to figure out if he's really changed his beliefs about self-interest at all, and Maggie leads us through a conversation about evolving Tolkien-isms and the role of recaps in fantasy.

Subscribe to our Substack here: https://secondbreakfastpod.substack.com/

Feedback & Theories: [email protected]

Instagram & TikTok: @secondbreakfastpod

Cam's Work: https://www.cameronfucile.com/