Grounded High Fantasy

Title: Fool's Errand (The Tawny Man Book 1)
Author: Robin Hobb
Published: 2002
Pages: 662

Reading Time: Fall 2010.

Plot Teaser:
For fifteen years FitzChivalry Farseer has lived in self-imposed exile, assumed to be dead by almost all who once cared about him. But that is about to change when destiny seeks him once again. Prince Dutiful, the young heir to the Farseer throne, has vanished and FitzChivalry, possessed of magical skills both royal and profane, is the only one who can retrieve him in time for his betrothal ceremony - thus sparing the Six Duchies profound political embarrassment...or worse. But even Fitz does not suspect the web of treachery that awaits him or how his loyalties to his Queen, his partner, and those who share his magic will be tested to the breaking point.

How I Got It:
I bought this book brand new from an Indigo or a Chapters store. Unfortunately, my memory is fairly poor and I can't recall which one it was. Likely in Ancaster, ON, near the Silver City theatres. It was at some point in 2009.

The Review:
"He came one late, wet spring, and brought the wide world back to my doorstep. I was thirty-five that year. When I was twenty, I would have considered a man of my current age to be teetering on the verge of dotage. These days, it seemed neither young nor old to me, but a suspension between the two. I no longer had the excuse of callow youth, and I could not yet claim the eccentricities of age. In many ways, I was no longer sure what I thought of myself. Sometimes it seemed that my life was slowly disappearing behind me, fading like footprints in the rain, until perhaps I had always been the quiet man living an unremarkable life in a cottage between the forest and the sea."

With these words, Robin Hobb welcomes her readers back to the world of The Six Duchies and the life of Fitzchivalry Farseer. Now a hermit trying to quietly live out the rest of his years in self-imposed exile from his kingdom, Fitz is destined to be called back into royal life and politics, whether he likes it or not. Fans of the original Farseer Trilogy (Assassin's Apprentice, Royal Assassin, and Assassin's Quest) will feel right at home with the setting, characters, magic, and scenarios in Fool's Errand. It is like putting on an old, comfortable pair of slippers and walking around your house in them, only to discover that there is an attic you had not noticed until now. Readers (fantasy lovers in particular) who have never picked up one of Hobb's books would do better to read the original three books first, as it makes character appearances and interactions in Fool's Errand feel weightier and more emotionally resonant. As a stand alone title, this is a masterful work of grounded fantasy, but when read in the context of Hobb's ever-developing universe, it is an extremely satisfying continuation and re-start for these characters and their world.

I will do my best not to spoil too much of the story in this review, as the back of the book does that just fine. In fact, the back cover reveals an important plot point that does not happen until over two hundred pages into the adventure, so you are better off not reading it, and diving in head first. Essentially, everything you need to know to start this story is in the first paragraph I quoted above: Fitz has been living away from his old life, but the ghosts of the past quickly come back to haunt him and to pull him back into his former role as the great changer and catalyst. The fate of the kingdom rests on his shoulders, and he must make a decision as to whether or not he will become involved in dealings that he thought he would never have to think about again. The inevitable decision is obvious, but Hobb does a tremendous job of spreading out Fitz's agonizing over his choice, as he is visited in turn by faces familiar and fresh. The first part of the book gives a wonderful re-introduction to some of the major players from the original adventures. This is a brilliant bit of writing, as it accomplishes two things: first, it clears up and refreshes readers' minds about Fitz's previous life and actions, and second, it creates a perfect bridge for new readers, while being a joy for those already familiar with these characters. I can not stress enough how deftly Hobb penned the setup of this book.

Once things really get going, and the real quest begins, Hobb brings her trademark characterization to the forefront, and focuses on relationships, personalities, and great dialogue. I referred to this as "grounded fantasy" earlier on for this very reason. Despite the story taking place in a world where some men and women can mentally bond and communicate with beasts, everything feels decidedly human and personal. There is not a genre archetype to be found, and Hobb is constantly challenging conventions by developing a universe and a cast of characters that are truly unlike anything else in the fantasy realm. There are no magicians firing off fireballs or bolts of lightning; these are real people making real decisions. The anguish that is felt by Fitz alone makes him easily memorable, sympathetic, and relatable. Who has not thought about their place in the world, or how much of themselves to sacrifice for the good of their community or country? The book succeeds brilliantly because it is brings such larger philosophical questions to light, and brings them to sometimes uncomfortable conclusions.

This is one of the easiest recommendations I can give. Simply put, Hobb is at the peak of her craft in this book, and everything flows so seamlessly that you will think the adventure feels much shorter than its 662 pages suggest. The characters make mistakes, they grow, they change, and there are permanent consequences for some of their decisions. Hobb does not take the easy way out, but writes in a way that transcends basic genre fiction, and enters the realm of truly important literature. Despite the fantastic circumstances, the book feels personally relevant, and those who take the time to reflect on some of the questions it poses will be all the more rewarded for it.

The Verdict:
If you do not like elves, dwarves, and fairies, then Hobb might be just the writer to convert you to fantasy. With an original magic system, and characters that you learn to love and feel at home with, this is the definition of a page turner. It also poses enough philosophically relevant questions to tickle even the biggest genre cynic's mind. Read the Farseer Trilogy, then move on to this.

4.5/5

Up Next:
On My Way to Paradise by Dave Wolverton.