Breakfast in Beauclair

Translator David French and narrator Peter Kenny join Alyssa for a conversation on translating the Witcher across language and medium. Very important bits include: the craft and care to bring the Witcher to English-speaking readers and listeners; Polish literary convention versus English prose; historical influences throughout Sapkowski's series; glowing reviews of the Hussite Trilogy; our own Sapkowski stories; the underappreciated weight of silence; and returning to Geralt of Rivia in Crossroads of Ravens. [0:00] Cold Open [0:55] Introduction [3:31] Discussion [1:05:39] Outro [1:05:48] End Credits

Bolo from Poland, Gosia from Poland, and Štěpán from the Czech Republic join Alyssa for our discussion of Andrzej Sapkowski's Crossroads of Ravens. Very important bits include: Preston Holt, Witcher mentor and New York accountant; Latin and the lingering influence of The Hussite Trilogy; mythological and historical deep cuts; regret and gray morals; Roach's many names; and the narrative power of less. Plus, our definitive opinion on whether Crossroads of Ravens is actually a new entry point to the Witcher. [0:00] Cold Open [1:20] Introduction [2:58] Guest Introductions [9:09] Book Summary [12:09] Discussion [1:20:43] Outro [1:21:06] End Credits

Kitty from the US and Softie from the UK take over from Alyssa for our discussion of Andrzej Sapkowski's Tower of Swallows, Chapter 11. Very important bits include: being on the other side of our protagonists, the parallels between horror and comedy, one-line bangers, fate and destiny, divine intervention, Norse mythology, cherry-flavored numbing liquid, and the close of the penultimate Witcher novel. [0:00] Cold Open [0:49] Introduction and Guest Introductions [4:49] Chapter Recap [6:32] Overall Thoughts [7:29] The Pursuit of Vengeance [24:21] The Wild Hunt's Intervention [41:49] "What took you so long?" [47:44] Takeaways [51:46] Hosting [55:30] Outro [56:50] End Credits

Nicola from Italy joins Alyssa for our discussion of Andrzej Sapkowski's Tower of Swallows, Chapter 10. Very important bits include: the pancake treatment, the pursuit of democracy, Italian references in Tower of Swallows, fulfilling the promise of foreshadowing, the ethics of retribution, death and the value of life, and the coming of 'Ciri of Kaer Morhen'. [0:00] Cold Open [0:51] Introduction [2:12] Guest Introductions [6:41] Chapter Recap [8:28] Overall Thoughts [12:57] Italian References [17:17] Fulfilled Foreshadowing [23:11] Retribution and Justice [29:56] Ciri's Purpose [34:59] Kenna and Ciri's Connection [41:49] Death and the Value of Life [53:22] "Ciri of Kaer Morhen" [58:44] Closing Thoughts [1:01:15] Outro [1:02:57] End Credits

Kitty from the US and Michelle from the US join Alyssa for our discussion of Andrzej Sapkowski's Tower of Swallows, Chapter 9. Very important bits include: Norse and Inuit mythology, Mean Girls Continent, modern magic, sources of power, being consistent in ideals but flexible in methods, sacrifice, cynicism, and repentance in the face of death. [0:00] Cold Open [1:04] Introduction [2:35] Guest Introductions [7:00] Chapter Recap [8:58] Overall Thoughts [12:14] Power in Spirituality and Rationality [19:49] Yennefer's Cynicism [26:21] Suffering and Sacrifice [31:49] Yennefer's Repentance [35:03] The Impact of the Lodge [41:46] Yennefer Sails into the Sednya Abyss [50:52] Paths to the Tower of the Swallow [59:26] Closing Thoughts [1:06:25] Outro [1:06:46] End Credits