Swords and Deviltry

The Adventures of Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser

By: Fritz Leiber

Narrated by: Jonathan Davis, Neil Gaiman (introduction)

Length: 7 hrs and 37 mins

Publisher's summary

Neil Gaiman Presents: the first book in Fritz Leiber's classic sword-and-sorcery series, which includes the Hugo and Nebula Award-winning novella, Ill Met in Lankhmar.

In the ancient city of Lankhmar, two men forge a friendship in battle. The red-haired barbarian Fafhrd left the snowy reaches of Nehwon looking for a new life, while the Gray Mouser, apprentice magician, fled after finding his master dead. These bawdy brothers-in-arms cement a friendship that leads them through the wilds of Nehwon, facing thieves, wizards, princesses, and the depths of their desires and fears.

The late Fritz Leiber's tales of Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser launched the sword-and-sorcery genre, and were the inspiration for the fantasy role-playing game Dungeons and Dragons.

BONUS AUDIO: Includes an exclusive introduction by Neil Gaiman.

Epic edge: download more tales of Lankhmar.

©1995 The Estate of Fritz Leiber (P)2008 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

"It's, like all of Fritz Leiber's fiction, delightful and, like all of the Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser stories, a wonderful place to go." (Neil Gaiman)
"Fritz Leiber's tales of Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser are virtually a genre unto themselves. Urbane, idiosyncratic, comic, erotic and human, spiked with believable action and the eerie creations of a master fantasist!" (William Gibson)

Great story classic in so many

I love the story it really defined the genre. I’ve always been a fan of sword and sorcery, and this does not disappoint as one would expect from such foundational work.

Pleasantly surprised

What made the experience of listening to Swords and Deviltry the most enjoyable?

I wasn't sure what to expect from this, but it was quite enjoyable. There are no pretenses of being anything more than a good adventure story that happens to be set in an world where magic and sorcery is real. While describing a vivid and diverse imaginary setting, it avoids the tedium of an overly complex mythology (which many writers since Tolkien have attempted, but few have succeeded). The characters are interesting (although perhaps with a level of development meant to appeal primarily to a male, young adult, readership). The female characters are mostly consorts, conquests and occasional foils for the male protagonists. The plot is somewhat predictable, but the skillful storytelling makes it enjoyable nonetheless.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Swords and Deviltry?

Fafhrd's rocket-assisted ski jump was laugh-out-loud funny.

What about Jonathan Davis and Neil Gaiman (introduction) ’s performance did you like?

This was the first reading by Davis that I've listened to. The characterizations were quite good and I was able to distinguish the characters without much trouble.

Leibers works don right

A continuation of the classic series that defines fantasy. Listening to this was like getting to know old freinds again. the voice acting and narraration is superior and done right. Really brings the characters to life. I will continue the series.

Essential, timeless, definitive

Fritz Leiber is a master of the genre. His character work is unmatched and he can instantly shift tones as abruptly as the story requires and it is both effortless and natural. As a wordsmith in genre fiction, Leiber creates fascinating characters with compelling backstories and magnetic personalities with a skill and artistry that is at once efficient and illustrative. Fafhrd and Mouser are natural partners and a pure joy to read.

Good beginning

This was slow to really takeoff, but the final third was very engaging. I would think of this as a first chapter or a pilot episode, it only really gets going in the very end and I’ll be happy to read the further adventures of the characters now that they are established. The narrator would get a six star rating if possible

Excellent Classic Fantasy

This is wonderful classic fantasy by one of the originators of the genre. And the Narrator, Jonathan Davis does and "Excellent"
job . His elocution is absolutely clear and his reading is wonderful !

It's not just Mauser that's grey

I understand the appeal of these stories, and had I found them in my younger, formative years, I think I would have been enamored with the bravado of Fahferd and The Grey Mauser. However, with a modern lense and more years behind me than lie ahead, I can't help but feel uninspired by these two. They are not heroes, but perhaps that's the point.

Pretty awesome sword and sorcery story

Being a fan of the Conan stories I thought this was very interesting. I will definitely be listening to some more

Leiber's best is in this one, enjoy!

What did you love best about Swords and Deviltry?

I first read about Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser in high school. The years have past, yet I was pleased to see the story was as enjoyable as I remembered. A definite addition to your collection ... if you enjoy reading about lovable rouges forging strong friendships while experiencing fascinating adventures. The Snow Women, and the Unholy Grail are fun, but the Hugo and Nebula winning "Ill Met in Lankhmar" is a personal favorite.

What about Jonathan Davis and Neil Gaiman (introduction) ’s performance did you like?

As a good narrator should, the performance only added to the story.

Peerless Sword & Sorcery

Even if Leiber’s stories aren’t the deepest roots of the sword and sorcery sub-genre, they certainly bear the weightier parts or the load. Leiber’s unique mix of whimsy and horror lend his two principal characters uncommon depth and, unlike other staples of the genre, these protagonists are anything but immutable, growing, changing, and displaying true anti-heroism well before that became so common.