Han Solo in a Breastplate?
April 15, 2010 2:00 PM Subscribe
I'm looking for fantasy books with a charming rogue-type lead character. Help?
I want to read some great fantasy books, but I'm finding a lot of the protagonists tend to be dull, duty-bound, honor-driven "men of substance".
What I'd like to read are some rolicking novels centered around a funny, charming rogue type. Doesn't have to be a thief or a scoundrel (although that's not a bad thing either), but must be quick-witted and beholden to no one.
Any suggestions? (besides Locke Lamorra, already into him) Thanks!
I want to read some great fantasy books, but I'm finding a lot of the protagonists tend to be dull, duty-bound, honor-driven "men of substance".
What I'd like to read are some rolicking novels centered around a funny, charming rogue type. Doesn't have to be a thief or a scoundrel (although that's not a bad thing either), but must be quick-witted and beholden to no one.
Any suggestions? (besides Locke Lamorra, already into him) Thanks!
The Discworld books that feature Moist von Lipwig would probably fit the bill.
posted by procrastination at 2:05 PM on April 15, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by procrastination at 2:05 PM on April 15, 2010 [1 favorite]
I remember liking The Legend of Nightfall like 17 years ago.
posted by cali59 at 2:08 PM on April 15, 2010
posted by cali59 at 2:08 PM on April 15, 2010
I can't speak to their literary merit these days, but when I was a teenager I was head-over-heels in love with Felimid mac Fal (bard, scoundrel, ladies' man) from Keith Taylor's Bard series.
posted by Catseye at 2:08 PM on April 15, 2010
posted by Catseye at 2:08 PM on April 15, 2010
How about Corwin from the Chronicles of Amber by Roger Zelazny.
posted by Dick Laurent is Dead at 2:13 PM on April 15, 2010 [2 favorites]
posted by Dick Laurent is Dead at 2:13 PM on April 15, 2010 [2 favorites]
procrastination makes a great suggestion. Going Postal is better than Making Money so I'd say go with that one. And then read everything Terry Pratchett has ever written. You're welcome.
Also, Tyrion and Littlefinger in George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire series fit your bill. There are also the boring honor-bound guys, but it's a cast of thousands so you'll get a smattering of almost everything in there.
posted by Doublewhiskeycokenoice at 2:26 PM on April 15, 2010 [1 favorite]
Also, Tyrion and Littlefinger in George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire series fit your bill. There are also the boring honor-bound guys, but it's a cast of thousands so you'll get a smattering of almost everything in there.
posted by Doublewhiskeycokenoice at 2:26 PM on April 15, 2010 [1 favorite]
I have not read them (YET), but fully expect that Fritz Leiber's Lahnkmar stories of Fafhrd and The Grey Mouser will fit your description.
posted by jquinby at 2:28 PM on April 15, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by jquinby at 2:28 PM on April 15, 2010 [1 favorite]
The Flashman books by George MacDonald Fraser might fit your bill, although they aren't really fantasty, more historical fiction. I don't love them, but a couple were fun to read after reading Tom Brown's School Days.
posted by pseudonick at 2:29 PM on April 15, 2010
posted by pseudonick at 2:29 PM on April 15, 2010
A new young adult book, part of a trilogy that isn't all published yet: The Nine Pound Hammer by John Bemis. The best part is that while it is fantastical, it's also based on American legends and is set in the 19th c. American South.
posted by bluedaisy at 2:30 PM on April 15, 2010
posted by bluedaisy at 2:30 PM on April 15, 2010
"The Eyes of the Overworld" by Jack Vance. Cugel, the protagonist, is as rogueish and picaresque as you could possibly ask for.
posted by Aquaman at 2:42 PM on April 15, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by Aquaman at 2:42 PM on April 15, 2010 [1 favorite]
Knight in Shining Armor was a hilarious book with an honorable rogue. It made me laugh until I cried. Didn't care much for the ending, but the substance of the book was quite choice.
posted by srbrunson at 2:47 PM on April 15, 2010
posted by srbrunson at 2:47 PM on April 15, 2010
Fritz Leiber's stories and novels revolving around Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser fit your bill. The Gray Mouser is a quick witted thief (Han Solo) and Fafhrd is a seven foot tall barbarian (Chewie!?). These stories are probably the seminal example of what you are looking for. Part of Leiber's motivation in writing them was to present a more human and entertaining version of the swords and sorcery trope. They are certainly rollicking.
posted by Derive the Hamiltonian of... at 2:59 PM on April 15, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by Derive the Hamiltonian of... at 2:59 PM on April 15, 2010 [1 favorite]
The Odyssey :)
posted by wooh at 3:12 PM on April 15, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by wooh at 3:12 PM on April 15, 2010 [1 favorite]
Kvothe, the main character of "The Name of the Wind" by Patrick Rothfuss, is a thief, an assassin, a glib manipulator, a reluctant hero, and an all-around badass. (I don't read a lot of fantasy fiction any more because, well, most of it is infuriatingly bad. "The Name of the Wind" is not. It's much, much better than 90% of the formulaic doorstops clogging the fantasy shelves. And the second book should be out soon, so now might be a good time to read it.)
And if you want flippant fun that winks at the reader while exploding every fantasy trope imaginable, try "Sir Apropos of Nothing", by Peter David. I think there are three novels in the series (I just read the first). Breezy, light-weight, mental junk food book, but a satisfying evening's read.
posted by BitterOldPunk at 3:16 PM on April 15, 2010
And if you want flippant fun that winks at the reader while exploding every fantasy trope imaginable, try "Sir Apropos of Nothing", by Peter David. I think there are three novels in the series (I just read the first). Breezy, light-weight, mental junk food book, but a satisfying evening's read.
posted by BitterOldPunk at 3:16 PM on April 15, 2010
Mildmay the Fox fits that description, and certainly no-one would describe his co-star as dull; have a look at Melusine and its sequels, by Sarah Monette. (She likes Locke as well).
posted by Lebannen at 3:16 PM on April 15, 2010
posted by Lebannen at 3:16 PM on April 15, 2010
The kind of fantasy you like I'd call sword and sorcery, the kind of fantasy you want to avoid I'd call high fantasy.
Leiber is the prototypical sword-and-sorcery writer with a focus on rogues.
posted by Paragon at 3:19 PM on April 15, 2010
Leiber is the prototypical sword-and-sorcery writer with a focus on rogues.
posted by Paragon at 3:19 PM on April 15, 2010
Well... Mat Cauthon from the Wheel of Time is one of the best, most entertaining Han Solo characters. The shame is he's part of an ensemble cast that isn't always as interesting. The books in general are good and he makes it worth it, though.
posted by Solon and Thanks at 3:23 PM on April 15, 2010 [2 favorites]
posted by Solon and Thanks at 3:23 PM on April 15, 2010 [2 favorites]
Just here to second "The Name of the Wind" by Patrick Rothfuss. It's the best fantasy book I've read and Kvothe is charming, roguish and so much more. I've recommended the book to a ton of people and have yet to have anyone tell me that they didn't love it.
posted by shesbookish at 3:47 PM on April 15, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by shesbookish at 3:47 PM on April 15, 2010 [1 favorite]
An old but good fantasy that has a strong roguish element: Raymond E. Feist's Riftwar series.
posted by Paragon at 3:49 PM on April 15, 2010
posted by Paragon at 3:49 PM on April 15, 2010
Leiber is kind of a classic - he set the trope, and Pratchett does reference him in his early works. I agree that Moist does have a bit of that rogue-hero thing going on, although I never thought of it.
In shameless light fantasy, Lynn Flewelling's Night-Runner series has a sorta-elf-ish thief-hero.
posted by cobaltnine at 3:54 PM on April 15, 2010
In shameless light fantasy, Lynn Flewelling's Night-Runner series has a sorta-elf-ish thief-hero.
posted by cobaltnine at 3:54 PM on April 15, 2010
Haha, I was actually going to reply "Locke Lamora!" until I reread your post a little more carefully.
Nthing Moist von Lipwig, and adding Megan Whalen Turner's Queen's Thief YA series: The Thief, The Queen of Attolia, The King of Attolia, and the just-released Conspiracy of Kings. Uh, I highly recommend avoiding all summaries for the later novels at risk of having the twist in the first one spoiled.
posted by bettafish at 3:59 PM on April 15, 2010
Nthing Moist von Lipwig, and adding Megan Whalen Turner's Queen's Thief YA series: The Thief, The Queen of Attolia, The King of Attolia, and the just-released Conspiracy of Kings. Uh, I highly recommend avoiding all summaries for the later novels at risk of having the twist in the first one spoiled.
posted by bettafish at 3:59 PM on April 15, 2010
Bridge of Birds' Master Li, who has a slight flaw in his character, is great.
posted by robocop is bleeding at 4:01 PM on April 15, 2010 [5 favorites]
posted by robocop is bleeding at 4:01 PM on April 15, 2010 [5 favorites]
The titular character in Silverlock by John Myers Myers is a rogue, a reprobate, and just about unredeemable.
Just about.
posted by Lexica at 4:20 PM on April 15, 2010 [1 favorite]
Just about.
posted by Lexica at 4:20 PM on April 15, 2010 [1 favorite]
Bridge of Birds' Master Li, who has a slight flaw in his character, is great.
So freaking good. This is a wonderful book (all three are great, actually), that I heartily recommend to anyone wishes to travel down the byways of fantasy - especially, but not just if you're a bit sick of messianic stable boys, bland pseudo-european settings, and apocalyptic evil.
Talking old school authors, I implore you not to ignore Conan the Barbarian - really he's the prototypical rogue. C.L Moore's Jirel of Jorey may also fit your bill.
Nthing Jack Vance and Leiber. The Lankhmar books are great for about two thirds, the last 2 or so are dispiritingly shit, but the first ones are frigging awesome.
You may also like the Thraxas books by Martin Scott, noir + fantasy + comedy, in a breezy, easy to digest package.
In terms of Young Adult, Howl's Moving Castle by Dianna Wynne Jones is a fabulous book with an excellent rogue-y character.
posted by smoke at 4:31 PM on April 15, 2010
So freaking good. This is a wonderful book (all three are great, actually), that I heartily recommend to anyone wishes to travel down the byways of fantasy - especially, but not just if you're a bit sick of messianic stable boys, bland pseudo-european settings, and apocalyptic evil.
Talking old school authors, I implore you not to ignore Conan the Barbarian - really he's the prototypical rogue. C.L Moore's Jirel of Jorey may also fit your bill.
Nthing Jack Vance and Leiber. The Lankhmar books are great for about two thirds, the last 2 or so are dispiritingly shit, but the first ones are frigging awesome.
You may also like the Thraxas books by Martin Scott, noir + fantasy + comedy, in a breezy, easy to digest package.
In terms of Young Adult, Howl's Moving Castle by Dianna Wynne Jones is a fabulous book with an excellent rogue-y character.
posted by smoke at 4:31 PM on April 15, 2010
Bujold's Vorkosigan series? Miles Vorkosigan is in fact honour-driven, but doesn't follow rules and is definitely not dull. Daniel Leary in David Drake's RCN series? Leary is again honour-driven, but is also a bit of a rogue.
posted by paduasoy at 4:33 PM on April 15, 2010
posted by paduasoy at 4:33 PM on April 15, 2010
Ellen Kushner - Swordspoint? From the linked review: "Neither man is a hero, or even very nice. They are proud and cruel and self-involved. But Kushner manages to make them fascinating and even, sometimes, engaging".
posted by paduasoy at 4:36 PM on April 15, 2010
posted by paduasoy at 4:36 PM on April 15, 2010
He's not quite the protagonist, but Silk in the Belgariad (David Eddings) is one of my favourite ever characters in this line. (Book 2, in particular).
posted by jacalata at 4:50 PM on April 15, 2010
posted by jacalata at 4:50 PM on April 15, 2010
i enjoyed the stainless steel rat series as a kid. the main character is in the mold you describe.
posted by bruceo at 4:58 PM on April 15, 2010
posted by bruceo at 4:58 PM on April 15, 2010
Seconding Eddings' Silk.
posted by worldswalker at 6:30 PM on April 15, 2010
posted by worldswalker at 6:30 PM on April 15, 2010
Ooh Oooh! They're out of print now, but Jennifer Roberson's Sword-Dancer, and its related sequels, are narrated by a very feisty, cocky dude named Tiger. He later gets a bit domesticated, but he's still a very lively hero.
posted by PhoBWanKenobi at 6:46 PM on April 15, 2010
posted by PhoBWanKenobi at 6:46 PM on April 15, 2010
Lamentation, by Ken Scholes, is a pretty fun fantasy book and definitely has a roguish, wandering protagonist (who runs a band of "Gypsy Scouts"). The sequel just came out, so if you like it there's more where that came from!
posted by daelin at 6:58 PM on April 15, 2010
posted by daelin at 6:58 PM on April 15, 2010
Are the Repairman Jack novels fantasy? horror? Hard to say, but they fit the request otherwise.
posted by nicwolff at 7:04 PM on April 15, 2010
posted by nicwolff at 7:04 PM on April 15, 2010
Seconding the early Vlad Taltos books by Stephen Brust (note that the character develops into something more serious as the series continues). They're pretty much exactly what you're looking for.
posted by kingjoeshmoe at 7:27 PM on April 15, 2010
posted by kingjoeshmoe at 7:27 PM on April 15, 2010
The Elenium, by David Eddings, is exactly what you're looking for.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Elenium
posted by Slinga at 7:54 PM on April 15, 2010
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Elenium
posted by Slinga at 7:54 PM on April 15, 2010
First and foremost you should read Christopher Moore. All his books are fantasy-ish (though he is found in general fiction) and are fantastic. Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal is the best book I have ever read. Biff is fantastically roguish. Practical Demonkeeping, Bloodsucking Fiends and You Suck are probably his purest fantasy novels, though all are set in modern day.
There are tons of other books & authors right up your alley. If you like mystery type fantasy there is a bunch. The hard boiled detective is fairly common.
The Dresden Files by Jim Butcher is such a series which has a very roguish detective for a main character He's constantly at odds with the "good" guys. Don't judge this series by its tv show. The tv show was TERRIBLE.
Stalking the Unicorn: A Fable of Night by Mike Resnick was my introduction to the fantasy/mystery genre. It's a lot of fun.
The Garrett_P.I. series by Glen Cook features a hard boiled detective with a dead (and unmoving) roommate. Fantastic stuff.
For a real twist on the protagonist in a story, you should read Goblin Quest by Jim Hines. The hero is, as you might guess, a goblin. And not just any goblin, a puny, near-sighted goblin.
On that note, Goblins: Life through their eyes online comic is fantastic. It is so good it will sometimes bring tears to your eyes.
Along the coming of age archtype is the Ethshar series by Lawrence Watt-Evans. It starts with the Misenchanted Sword, but you can start with any of them. The main characters are almost always flawed kids thrust into crazy situations.
In the High Fantasy genre check out Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson. It has a group of roguish characters, with the main character being a girl from the streets. The entire series is amazing.
There are tons more. I'll post some more when I have some more time
posted by thekiltedwonder at 7:55 PM on April 15, 2010
There are tons of other books & authors right up your alley. If you like mystery type fantasy there is a bunch. The hard boiled detective is fairly common.
The Dresden Files by Jim Butcher is such a series which has a very roguish detective for a main character He's constantly at odds with the "good" guys. Don't judge this series by its tv show. The tv show was TERRIBLE.
Stalking the Unicorn: A Fable of Night by Mike Resnick was my introduction to the fantasy/mystery genre. It's a lot of fun.
The Garrett_P.I. series by Glen Cook features a hard boiled detective with a dead (and unmoving) roommate. Fantastic stuff.
For a real twist on the protagonist in a story, you should read Goblin Quest by Jim Hines. The hero is, as you might guess, a goblin. And not just any goblin, a puny, near-sighted goblin.
On that note, Goblins: Life through their eyes online comic is fantastic. It is so good it will sometimes bring tears to your eyes.
Along the coming of age archtype is the Ethshar series by Lawrence Watt-Evans. It starts with the Misenchanted Sword, but you can start with any of them. The main characters are almost always flawed kids thrust into crazy situations.
In the High Fantasy genre check out Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson. It has a group of roguish characters, with the main character being a girl from the streets. The entire series is amazing.
There are tons more. I'll post some more when I have some more time
posted by thekiltedwonder at 7:55 PM on April 15, 2010
As others have mentioned, the late Fritz Leiber was the master of this genre, and Vance's Cugel is a worthy companion. John Myers Myers's Silverlock and The Moon's Fire-Eating Daughter are a more acquired taste. L. Sprague DeCamp's Unbeheaded King series and The Dragon of the Ishtar Gate fit the bill; DeCamp's works were readily available in the '80s from Del Rey. His and Fletcher Pratt's Harold Shea stories would also be worth looking at. And to go back a little earlier, Mervyn Peake's Gormenghast trilogy subverts the kind of high fantasy that Erik Eddison's The Worm Ouroboros promoted.
Finally, for the best fantasy rogue of all time, it's hard to beat James Branch Cabell's Jurgen. I specify *fantasy* because Lazarillo de Tormes or Le Diable Boiteux would give Jurgen a run for his money.
posted by brianogilvie at 8:22 PM on April 15, 2010 [1 favorite]
Finally, for the best fantasy rogue of all time, it's hard to beat James Branch Cabell's Jurgen. I specify *fantasy* because Lazarillo de Tormes or Le Diable Boiteux would give Jurgen a run for his money.
posted by brianogilvie at 8:22 PM on April 15, 2010 [1 favorite]
I'd recommend Perdido Street Station by China Mieville. It's about a rogue scientist type who reluctantly gets caught up in almost destroying (and then saving) the city. Actually, any of China Mieville's books are worth reading, and this one is part of a trilogy, the other two being The Scar and Iron Council. They all take place in the same world and are sort of related, but it isn't necessary to read them in any particular order.
posted by lexicakes at 8:34 PM on April 15, 2010
posted by lexicakes at 8:34 PM on April 15, 2010
Yes to Discworld (Moist is a great character). Yes to Steven Brust's Jhereg series (gnat names the protagonist, Vlad Taltos--the first three books are Jhereg, Yendi, and Teckla). Yes to Bridge of Birds.
Zelazny's five Amber books (Corwin), is an awesome protagonist from an awesome and weird family, and the concepts of Shadows and shifting and the Pattern are all fascinating, but you'll have to forgive it for being Oh, So Seventies. (Don't read the second set of books. Bleh.)
SUPERDUPER YES to Bujold's Vorkosigan series. Start with the Young Miles collection (two novels bookending a novella), and work your way forward from there. If you want to go back and read the prequel, it's equally awesome, but you really should meet Miles and Co. first.
Also, while not high fantasy, I recommend Donald Westlake's Dortmunder novels. Actually, anything by Westlake is pretty awesome - many of his works are classified as "comic crime."
Oh, and if you want some seriously lovable rogues who just happen to be trying to save the world from opposite ends of the spectrum, you could do worse than Aziraphale and Crowley from "Good Omens."
posted by tzikeh at 9:00 PM on April 15, 2010
Zelazny's five Amber books (Corwin), is an awesome protagonist from an awesome and weird family, and the concepts of Shadows and shifting and the Pattern are all fascinating, but you'll have to forgive it for being Oh, So Seventies. (Don't read the second set of books. Bleh.)
SUPERDUPER YES to Bujold's Vorkosigan series. Start with the Young Miles collection (two novels bookending a novella), and work your way forward from there. If you want to go back and read the prequel, it's equally awesome, but you really should meet Miles and Co. first.
Also, while not high fantasy, I recommend Donald Westlake's Dortmunder novels. Actually, anything by Westlake is pretty awesome - many of his works are classified as "comic crime."
Oh, and if you want some seriously lovable rogues who just happen to be trying to save the world from opposite ends of the spectrum, you could do worse than Aziraphale and Crowley from "Good Omens."
posted by tzikeh at 9:00 PM on April 15, 2010
For sword, but not sorcery, and with a hero that sounds right up your street, try Tim Willocks' 'The Religion', set in the 16th century great siege of Malta.
posted by biffa at 1:19 AM on April 16, 2010
posted by biffa at 1:19 AM on April 16, 2010
I love Hugh Cook's very strange, very dark, very funny Chronicles of an Age of Darkness books. The Walrus and the Warwolf fits what you want perfectly. The main character is an apprentice swordsmith from an island where the local religion treats gambling, alcoholism, prostitution and other forms of debauchery as sacraments, and he spends several hundred pages taking this attitude to the rest of his world.
Cook was a slightly obscure (maybe "cult" is a better word) New Zealander, but his books are easy enough to find.
posted by A Thousand Baited Hooks at 5:25 AM on April 16, 2010
Cook was a slightly obscure (maybe "cult" is a better word) New Zealander, but his books are easy enough to find.
posted by A Thousand Baited Hooks at 5:25 AM on April 16, 2010
Response by poster: Um, holy smokes. Thanks for all the great suggestions. I'll be going through them with more attention over the weekend to try and add some quality books to my amazon.ca wishlist for future reference.
I'm currently reading A Game of Thrones (so as to watch the upcoming HBO show without regretting never being able to read the books unspoiled) and have already acquired The Name of the Wind for the nightstand "on-deck circle".
Again, thanks you all for the suggestions! Sadly, there is no fair way to award Best Answer status to anyone in a thread so chock-full of awesome suggestions. You are all champions in my books!
posted by joelhunt at 9:32 AM on April 16, 2010
I'm currently reading A Game of Thrones (so as to watch the upcoming HBO show without regretting never being able to read the books unspoiled) and have already acquired The Name of the Wind for the nightstand "on-deck circle".
Again, thanks you all for the suggestions! Sadly, there is no fair way to award Best Answer status to anyone in a thread so chock-full of awesome suggestions. You are all champions in my books!
posted by joelhunt at 9:32 AM on April 16, 2010
Just a heads up that I had a violently, violently negative reaction to Perdido Street Station. So much so that I felt compelled to post a comment that is nothing but a warning about it. Its heroes aren't exactly high-moral types, but they're not han solo either. And it's not all a fun ride like a book with a han solo character would be. There's some terrible, awfully depressing shit in there. (And I think part of the reason I hate that book so much is because it doesn't clue you into that fact until you're fully committed to thinking you're reading a mostly fun, breezy book. Hence the warning. Seriously, fuck that guy and his pulling the rug out from under you bullshit.)
posted by kingjoeshmoe at 12:35 PM on April 16, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by kingjoeshmoe at 12:35 PM on April 16, 2010 [1 favorite]
While I am a Mieville fan I would not classify the central protagonist of Perdido Street Station as rogueish, a decent read but a book that does not have a satisfying finale.
posted by biffa at 4:47 PM on April 16, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by biffa at 4:47 PM on April 16, 2010 [1 favorite]
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by gnat at 2:04 PM on April 15, 2010 [6 favorites]