Sir Apropos of Nothing

Rating:
Summary: Calling it satire is not apropos
Review: Peter David's "Sir Apropos of Nothing" is well written, fast paced, funny (and punny), and overall an enjoyable bit of fluffy fantasy. But satire it ain't, even though that is its main selling point.

We are introduced to Squire Apropos through a bawdy brawl in which he accidentally kills a knight. How Apropos weasels his way through explaining the incident to the king and his knights is reminiscent of David's fantasy-satire predecessor, Robert Aspirin, and is about as funny. It should set the tone for the remainder of the book, but strangely does not.

We whip through Apropos's ignoble conception and birth, childhood, "maturity," and finally his accidental elevation to squire. Along the way we meet Tacit, who defends the lame Apropos and befriends him, although Apropos later severs the friendship because he feels that Tacit is using him. This conflict within Apropos, his violently mixed feelings about his friend, should really be the main focus of a story that wants to set up Apropos as an anti-hero that becomes a hero, and Tacit as a man who wants to be the hero but fails. But Tacit plays an unfortunately small role in this book, appearing mainly to punctuate the changes within Apropos, and the story instead focuses on Apropos's adventures.

Clearly David intends for us to believe that the noble, gallant, and handsome Tacit is a hero, while Apropos, the sneaky, conniving, selfish son of a [women], is simply hijacking Tacit's heroic story. It is true that in modern fantasy novels, heros often appear more like Tacit than Apropos. But the older tradition holds that Apropos is the hero precisely because he uses his brains to outwit the opposition, rather than charging into mortal danger like a fairy-tale Prince Charming. Read "The Hobbit" and you'll immediately see what I mean. Read nearly any of the hero stories from any mythology (older than medieval, chivalric Europe anyway) and you will find a wide range of characters that trick, steal, bribe, connive, backstab, etc. in order to serve their own needs, but in doing so end up serving greater needs beyond themselves. Coyote, Maui, Edshu, Prometheus, Odysseus... Han Solo, perhaps... just to name a few heros who had no problem with thievery, trickery, or just plain using your head before using your brawn.

I found it impossible to actually dislike Apropos, which I assumed was a necessary condition for understanding the story as a satire. I also found it impossible to lend any credibility to many of Apropos's schemes to avert disaster and death. Too much of it smacks of deus ex machina... or at least author ex machina. Many of the plot points work only because David allows them to, not because they follow logicially or sensibly. True, this sounds like it might be a satirical element. However, I have read far too many "serious" fantasy novels that suffer the same problem to be able to say that David has avoided the same trap that other authors fall into.

There is one element that does set this novel apart from other fantasies, and that is the amount of time spent on developing Apropos as a complex, conflicted, and kinetic man. Characters in most fantasy novels, even the central protagonists, often end up with the complexity of a Teletubbies episode and the depth of a puddle. They serve more to show off the "wondrous" fantasy world the author has dreamed up, rather than to actually tell us their stories. This book is firmly focused on Apropos and his story, with the world around him solidly in the background. This, more than anything else, I found to be the book's greatest feature and the real reason to choose it amongst other fantasy titles.

"Sir Apropos of Nothing" is not genuinely a satire of the fantasy genre. A real unmasking of the cliches of fantasy has yet to be written. It is, however, an enjoyable read and sure to bring you back to the book store for the next installment.

Rating:
Summary: OUTSTANDING!
Review: Recently, even I, a huge Peter David fan, began to think he was running out of steam. His past few Trek and B5 books, though still well-done, were somewhat less than they had been in the past.

Then I read this . . . this man is nowhere NEAR past his prime!

"Sir Apropos" is without a doubt one of the funniest books I've ever read, even through the terrible circumstances of Po's life. And just when things look their bleakest, everything suddenly goes right. And when everything looks perfect, everything suddenly goes wrong. And the ending -- they both had valid views, I think -- is one of the best I've ever read.

Kudos, Mr. David, and I can't wait to read the sequel!

Rating:
Summary: Apropos the Non-hero
Review: Sir Apropos of Nothing is the first novel in a new fantasy series. Apropos is a child of gang rape whose mother is a serving girl in a country tavern, occasionally earning a little extra on the side. His mother claims to have seen a Phoenix immolated and risen from the ashes, a portentous event which she has been told is an omen of destiny, either of death or birth; thus, she knows that the birth of Apropos was destined and that he will surely find greatness, despite his withered leg. As a newborn, he certainly impressed the tavern owner with his full set of teeth...by chomping him right in the neck. When the midwife announces that the action is apropos, the tavern owner names him that on the spot and then leaves to get his bleeding neck treated.

Apropos attracts the attention of many in his formative years, usually children flinging taunts and playing pranks on the crippled boy. He is protected, however, by Tacit, a boy clearly destined to be a knight in shining armor, so Apropos becomes his sidekick. Tacit teaches him all sorts of useful things, like how to steal and how to rescue a girl being burned at the stake. The first lesson bothered Apropos not at all, but the latter struck him as idiotic, not to mention foolhardy; however, the girl, Sharee, a weaver of magic, was to play a prominent role in his life thereafter. Tacit also pointed out to Apropos the Keepless King, Meander the Vagabond, who was also fated to cross paths with Apropos in later years.

After Apropos comes home to find his murdered mother's corpse, he attracts the attention of Astel, who blames him for all that has gone wrong in his mother's life and then couples with him, becoming his first woman. After the funeral, she accompanies him to his money stash and, after knocking him unconscious with his mother's funeral urn, steals the money. That kind of thing can put you off trusting women!

This novel is unclassifiable; a heroic fantasy starring a man who despises all the heroic virtues, a comedy with very horrific moments, and, of course, a collection of truly unmentionable puns. While having read only the first Flashman novel, I can see merely superficial resemblances with Apropos; Flashman strikes me as an emotionally deficient individual whereas Apropos could be described as emotionally delayed. Flashman and Apropos may have been much the same at some point in their lives, but Apropos has continued to grow, albeit very slowly, whereas Flashman is no longer capable of emotional growth. Apropos has some empathy and a sense of compassion that he keeps under strict control; Flashman only has a sense that what is good for him is right and what is bad for him is wrong.

Apropos is definitely not a hero, but I believe Apropos is neither an anti-hero nor, except in the technical sense of a lowborn person, a villain. I believe that Apropos is a non-hero, for he detests acts of courage, yet fights back against his enemies, and he derides defenders of the innocent, yet rescues his friends, and he despises charity, yet protects the royal fool. A man of contradictions, but not really a loser nor a predator on mankind. Maybe someone like you and me.

Recommended for Peter David fans and anyone who likes a good, but zany, story.

Rating:
Summary: Entertaining
Review: Sir Apropos of Nothing is, by and large, and entertaining read. Funny, insightful, and easily relatable to the cynic and world-weary egotist within all of us, at no point does the novel become boring or the plot drag on. As only a limited fantasy enthusiast, I probably didn't catch all of the jabs and barbs in the novel, but my limited knowledge served me well enough to know some of the more famous fantasy authors being appropriately mocked. While I enjoyed Apropos, one thing naggingly maddened me throughout the entire novel - the character contradictions within Apropos. David seems to try and cast him as a character who, frankly, doesn't care about anything but himself and is a lamed coward. At too many points in the book, however, Apropos seems inspired by concepts and ideas outside of himself, and the multitude of times, despite possessing one nearly useless leg, he lays the smack down with the most righteous knights of yore. Besides these flaws, however, Apropos is what it intends to be - a fast, funny satire that entertains the reader cover to cover.

Rating:
Summary: Fantasy turned on its head
Review: Sir Apropos of Nothing, by Peter David, is a wonderfully funny fantasy novel that takes potshots at most of the clichés in standard fantasy fiction, turning them on their heads. It looks at the roles of the hero, sidekick, and villain, and asks "What if the sidekick isn't happy with his lot in life and wants to be the hero instead?" The narrator, Apropos, is very self-aware, especially of his role in the proceedings. And he's not happy about it. The tale becomes a comedy of coincidences, missteps, and daring-do, and it's told wonderfully by the ever-talented David.

This book starts with one of the greatest opening lines I've read in awhile. "As I stood there with the sword in my hand, the blade dripping blood on the floor, I couldn't help but wonder if the blood belonged to my father." Thus, Apropos is introduced, along with his tragic lineage. I know it seems strange to call a book with something as horrific as a gang-rape a "comedy," but David writes with such a deft touch that you will find yourself laughing at the appropriate times, and being horrified at the appropriate times. He's that good of a writer, as he's shown in his other books and the comics he writes. Apropos narrates the tale as if he's speaking to the reader, and when he's talking about both his being conceived and his childhood in general, he relates the tale in a very off-hand way, as if he's repressing his emotions about it a little bit. Because of that, you don't get just a narration of the events as they take place. Instead, you also get a bit of a psychological insight into him.

Apropos is not a very likable character. He's self-centered, looking after his own skin when the going gets tough. He gets involved in things because they will benefit him, not because it's "the right thing to do." A lot of times, he ends up doing the right thing anyway, or at the very least hiding the fact that he was looking after himself when he did it. When his boyhood friend Tacit jumps into a clearing to save a weaver (wizard) from being burned at the stake by 20 villagers, Apropos holds back because that's suicide. When Tacit is about to meet a heroic death, Apropos comes up with a plan that has as little risk to himself as possible. Yet he's deemed a hero when it works. If you're the type of reader who has to actually like the protagonist, then you may have to go elsewhere.

The other characters in the book are interesting as well. The most important ones are Entipy, the princess that Apropos must rescue, and Tacit, Apropos' boyhood friend who he drives away and then meets again later in his life. Tacit and Apropos' destinies are intertwined, and it's very interesting how Apropos deals with that. It also isn't very likable, so see the paragraph above if that bothers you. However, it's fitting, not only because of Apropos' personality, but also because it's about time a fantasy novel was written where the protagonist isn't all sweetness and light.

Entipy is a possibly psychotic arsonist who is suspected of burning down the convent where her parents had placed her. The relationship that develops between her and Apropos on their journey also bucks all fantasy conventions. Entipy is not a damsel in distress, but a very tough, but spoiled, young woman. She develops a love-hate relationship with Apropos: he thinks she's insane, she thinks he's an idiot and beneath her. Not to mention the fact that she's waiting for her place in destiny to fall into place. She doesn't realize that Apropos has hijacked it. It's entertaining to watch Apropos slowly fall in love with her, even though he can't tell her that it all shouldn't be happening as it is.

Since Apropos is narrating the book directly, it is filled with wry asides and observations on life, people and society. David is one of the best writers of this sort of thing. You may find yourself laughing hard and then find that you agree with what Apropos is saying. Or maybe you won't, but you'll still be laughing. There are a couple of atrocious puns to watch out for if you hate that sort of thing. Personally, I like them even when they're cringe worthy. There's a military general saying "You all know my motto: Live fast. Die young. And leave a good-looking corps." Fair warning to you pun-haters.

The other problem with the book, though, is something that David usually handles well. I say above that he handles the combination of horror and comedy very well. That is usually the case, but at times the juxtaposition is a little too jarring. It's a bit understandable when Apropos is discussing his childhood, because you can tell he's repressing a bit, but certain events later on are pretty horrific and they jar with the light tone of the novel. It's nothing really major and it doesn't ruin the enjoyment of the book, but it does make you stop for a few seconds before continuing.

For the most part, though, it is a wonderful book. It makes great summer reading, as it doesn't feel very deep (even though, when you look at it, it is). If you already like Peter David, you will love this. If this is your first introduction to him, I think you'll still love it. And it's a definite must-read for sword & sorcery fans everywhere.

Rating:
Summary: I won't buy the sequels
Review: Sir Apropros of Nothing seems to start like a fantasy parody. That's what the cover indicated, at least. In the mood for a silly jaunt, I picked it up.

But there are actually two books here. One is a hilarious satire of most epic fantasy novels. The other is a serious depiction of a clubfooted young man, conceived when his mother was raped, physically abused, mistreated, and maligned.

I feel like someone mixed Victor Hugo with Dave Barry. If the book had just been serious, or just been silly, it would be excellent. As it is, we have discussions of Sir Umbrage of the Flaming Nether Regions amidst tales of a childhood upbringing that makes you want to weep. The combination doesn't work.

Rating:
Summary: I won't buy the sequels
Review: Sir Apropros of Nothing seems to start like a fantasy parody. That's what the cover indicated, at least. In the mood for a silly jaunt, I picked it up.

But there are actually two books here. One is a hilarious satire of most epic fantasy novels. The other is a serious depiction of a clubfooted young man, conceived when his mother was raped, physically abused, mistreated, and maligned.

I feel like someone mixed Victor Hugo with Dave Barry. If the book had just been serious, or just been silly, it would be excellent. As it is, we have discussions of Sir Umbrage of the Flaming Nether Regions amidst tales of a childhood upbringing that makes you want to weep. The combination doesn't work.

Rating:
Summary: Apropos of originality.... this book is not.
Review: The cliches were exhaustive and exhausting. I suspect other readers will, like myself run from this book "like priest in a .... factory" (David's phrase). This was a real disappointment for a longtime reader of Mr. David's work.

Rating:
Summary: The Cowardly Lion
Review: The cowardly lion has the strongest sword - and the strongest mind -
Just when he think's he has an understanding of the world, the world laughs at him.
Just when he thinks he knows who he is, guess again.
Just when he thinks he has everything, he finds the trail of what he should have been looking for.
Just when you think his story will end, it begins.

Read this book.

Rating:
Summary: A different shade of Knight
Review: The novel works in so many ways. The humor as always in a PAD work is first rate! Then Puns are clever and not so prevalent that they distract from the story. Your "hero" is likeable (most of the time). Apropos does his share of unlikable things and I was shocked at one point when he attacks someone who I'm not sure deserved to be attacked (that should be vague enough to satisfy us Spoiler Police). He's a little creepy just like in Lawrence Block's excellent book Hit Man, by being inside the main character mind, you come to understand and like Apropos. I recommend the novel strongly!